Shopping for gifts on Grand Cayman just got a whole lot easier as Next Chapter in Camana Bay has launched its e-commerce online shopping platform this month.
Next Chapter Manager Paddy Swanick said the reasons for launching the website platform are twofold.
"First, it's to make selecting, buying and delivering gifts easier for those on island, which we know can be a major hassle during the holiday season," he said. "Secondly, it's to address the huge surge we saw in loved ones from overseas calling our store to help them find the perfect gift for friends, colleagues, clients, lovers and even grandchildren."
Understanding that travel through the end of year, although possible, is still somewhat restrictive, the platform aims to overcome the need to actually visit the Next Chapter store to buy gifts — as pleasurable an experience as that might be.
Resident Deborah Roberts, who was one of the first to test the online platform, immediately saw the potential benefit of having her parents in the United Kingdom shop on the Next Chapter site when they want to buy gifts for her children on their birthdays or Christmas.
“Last Christmas, I told my mum to just wire me cash and I’d shop for them," she said. "But with bank fees on both ends, the conversion rate and the time it took me to go shop hoping to find something they’d like, we ended up losing loads of both time and money. This site means that Mum and Pops can shop within their budget, for items the kids will love, and there’s no question about whether it’ll arrive on time.”
With more than 8,000 items to select from, those on the hunt for gifts can find something for everyone in their life — from the craft queen and the bibliophile, to the toy hobbyist and puzzle lover.
All purchases can also be gift-wrapped for free and picked up within 48 hours. Those unsure of what to get can also buy Next Chapter gift cards.
The process of using Next Chapter's e-commerce site is simple:
- Visit shop.nextchapter.ky and choose what you want to buy.
- Add your selections for purchase to the shopping cart.
- Make a minimum total order of US$15, click "Checkout" to review your order and then add credit card payment information.
- Enter the intended recipient’s name, phone number and email address.
- Click submit and receive a confirmation email that your order has been processed. Recipients will be notified by telephone and email to pick up their gifts within 48 hours of the order being placed.
This article originally appeared in the November 2021 print edition of Camana Bay Times.