100 Years of Style: Why Valentines of Crieff is OurFavourite Retail Rebel

Here in Crieff, we love a good story. And when that story involves 100 years of

quality, rebellion against the cheap High Street rush, and customers driving all

the way from Essex just to buy a pair of trousers... well, we’re ready to celebrate.

This year, we're raising a glass (filled with something locally distilled) to Valentines

of Crieff as they mark a full century of being the undisputed style powerhouse on

West High Street.

The Middle of Nowhere? Think Again.

Valentines of Crieff opened way back in 1925, and though it’s changed hands (David Agnew and his sister Halina took over in 2001) and expanded across four original stores, the philosophy is pure Crieff genius.

As owner David Agnew often says, "The beauty of Crieff is that we’re in the middle of nowhere but an hour from everywhere." It might sound glib, but it’s true! We are perfectly positioned, and thanks to David's dedication to quality and service, Valentines has evolved from a traditional local shop to a genuine destination store.

Customers are willing to hop in the car for 45 minutes to two hours, coming from

Aberdeen to Ayrshire - just to browse. Yes, even a loyal client from Essex makes

the pilgrimage four times a year. That’s not just shopping; that’s dedication!

The Anti-Discount Philosophy

While the big-box stores fill their rails with fast fashion and fake discounts,

Valentines of Crieff has staunchly marched the other way.

David is firmly against the culture of discounting, which often means the product wasn't genuinely priced in the first place. (But they coudn't resist a 10% discount off cash sales offered to celebrate the stores Diamond Jubilee in 1985).

Instead, the focus is entirely on quality, service, and offering a unique, in-person shopping experience.

Our Favourite Quote: “When you are dealing with textiles, it’s about the touch and feel of an item and how it fits. Seeing the colour and quality in person makes a big difference. It is hard to replicate that online.”

They don't do online selling - they want you to come in, feel the fabric, and get that perfect fit from staff who genuinely care about what they're selling. We love that old-fashioned, high-touch approach.

The "Let's Just Try This" Approach to Buying

So, how does a century-old store stay fresh and exciting? By being brave.

David and his wife Apinya curate collections by travelling to Europe and

Scandinavia. Their secret sauce is simple: if they can’t get excited about buying

the product, how can they expect the customer to get excited?

This philosophy leads to wonderfully quirky discoveries -like the time David

spotted jewel-adorned, handmade shoe horns in Italy that retailed for up to £175. They were a bit "bonkers," but they've been incredibly successful and are now stocked by other traders in England.

Valentines’ success is built on taking that calculated risk and bringing in unique brands (like Spanish Tinta y Bariloche or Swedish shirt brand Oscar) that often aren't available elsewhere in the UK.

What’s Next for This Crieff Legend?

Valentines of Crieff is more than just a shop; it’s a living piece of Crieff's high

street heritage that successfully moved from serving a mature clientele to being

popular with shoppers aged 25 and up.

(Image courtesy of: The Courier)

David and his team of 10 are looking to the future, training up a new generation of

staff in buying. They’ve managed to weather huge increases in overheads without

passing the costs on to their loyal customers.

So, next time you're in Crieff (and you should be in Crieff!), make the pilgrimage to

West High Street. Go in, touch the textiles, try on something slightly bonkers, and

support a business that proves that quality, service, and a little retail rebellion can

last a hundred glorious years.