In our new series, The Art of Bookmaking, the team at Luster gives you a glimpse behind the scenes of the world of publishing. We interview people with whom we work and who work in publishing: printers and distributors, retailers and designers – some of whom are indirectly involved, although most of them often work at the very heart of our industry.
Erik Van Heuven is the owner of Ganterie Boon, the iconic Antwerp glove shop that he took over last year. Erik partnered with Luster to create a book that sheds light on the 140-year history of this legendary shop. A conversation about nostalgia, books, and
the future of retail. ‘A shop that sells a bit of everything will not last very long.’
Erik Van Heuven (63) is a seasoned retail professional. After studying communication sciences, he joined the GIB Group – Belgium’s largest retailer at the time – as a trainee. He held positions as a buyer of books and music, after which he moved on to management roles at companies such as Walt Disney, InWear Group, and Galeria Inno. He also served as CEO of Karstadt and shoe retailer HR Group, both based in Germany. In 2017, Van Heuven returned to Belgium to become the CEO of Stoopen & Meeus, a producer of pigments and decorative paint. He had previously acquired the company together with his brother. Last year, he took over Ganterie Boon, an iconic 140-year-old glove shop in the centre of Antwerp.
Erik, people with a career like yours would probably spend their early retirement playing golf or driving an oldtimer. At the age of 63, you acquired Ganterie Boon. Why?
Well, to a certain extent, there is a lot of nostalgia involved. My grandmother used to work for Ganterie Boon, so in a sense, I think of it as a tribute to her. But I also bought it for my daughters. Roxanne is the fifth generation to work in the shop. I really love family businesses with a long history. My other business, Stoopen & Meeus, is also 130 years old. And Ganterie Boon is a good example of Antwerp heritage. It is an icon in the city and famous around the world. The company was founded 140 years ago. The current shop is in a superb building, dating from 1929. I think it would be really sad if the story ended here. What’s more, it’s also a nice business challenge.
Do you intend to change a lot?
No, I think that would be a very big mistake. It’s all about tradition, experience, and authenticity. The shop’s appearance will remain unchanged. We did modernise the tills, but we have integrated them very subtly into the original furniture. We have also added some accessories to the existing range, such as wallets and belts, although our core business continues to be gloves. Gloves are a wonderful, sustainable product. We also have a repair service. In principle, this means you only need to buy one pair of gloves for the rest of your life. We are currently also working on a new online shop. That is the way forward: a brick-and-mortar shop that acts as a showroom for our unique products, combined with an online shop where we are able to present a more extensive range.
Why did you choose to publish a book about Ganterie Boon?
It is a unique business with a rich history. There is a lot to tell. And I love books. When I was young, I worked as a book buyer for a retailer. I found this a tremendously inspiring world. At the time, I already played with the idea of writing a book one day. A few years ago, I finally had the opportunity, publishing a book in which I interviewed the CEOs of several European department stores. I am currently working on Uniek & Authentiek (Unique & Authentic), a book on Antwerp family businesses. And that got me wondering: why don’t I write a book all about Ganterie Boon?
Tell us more about the making of?
I really enjoyed it. I didn’t want to contract out the job to a ghostwriter who supplies a ready-made book based on the information you provide. At the same time, I am not a writer. So I needed a co-author with whom I could work on the book. And a publisher who could take care of things like the layout, printing, and distribution. I found all this at Luster. From day one, I hit it off with Hadewijch, your editor. We really spent a lot of time polishing the book. I swear, by the end, she was even more passionate about this project than I was. Her input provided tremendous added value.
How have customers responded to the book?
Customer response has been excellent. In fact, the book has become the best-selling item at Ganterie Boon in recent months. There are two groups of buyers: firstly, there are the locals who read about the book in the media and who visit the shop with the intention of buying it. Then, there are the tourists (Japanese, Chinese, and a lot of Dutch people) who buy the book as a souvenir. We also gift the book to customers who purchase several pairs of gloves.
As a retail specialist, do you have any tips you want to share with bookshops?
To be a successful retailer, you need three things: a unique range, experience and service. The same applies to bookshops. A shop that has a bit of everything or only sells bestsellers won’t work. Find your niche and make sure that you can offer everything in this niche to your customers. And make sure your team knows the books. Knowledge really makes the difference.
Thank you for talking to us, Erik.
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