Built in the markets of London: The Story Behind Hide & Skin

Sunny Gulati has been part of London's markets since 1990. He started by selling handmade leather goods on the streets, and over time this grew into Hide & Skin, a family leather brand well known in Camden Market and Covent Garden. Loyal customers call him "The Leatherman", a nickname that says everything about what 35 years of expertise can build.

Today, his son Ranjan runs the operations of the business: the tech, strategy and the systems keeping two busy locations running smoothly. Sunny still shows up every day. "This is my retirement," he jokes. We spoke with Ranjan about what it takes to modernise a business built on craft and relationships, and why getting the right payment infrastructure is protecting everything his father built.

Running stalls in two of the UK’s busiest markets means no two days are the same. At the Camden stall on a Saturday, you might meet a local regular, a tourist from Tokyo, or a New Yorker searching for a custom jacket. Covent Garden attracts its own international crowd; shoppers who care about quality and tourists that want a memory from London that will last. That variety is a big part of what makes the brand special. It also means the operation has to work for everyone, every time.

"Markets teach you resilience," says Ranjan. "Every day is different, and being face-to-face with customers creates an energy and connection that traditional retail can't fully match." That energy is a big part of what makes Hide & Skin special. But it also means that if something goes wrong, like a payment not going through on a busy Saturday, there’s no way to hide it. It’s not just a small problem, it’s a lost sale and a customer who walks away.

Why seamless payments are at the heart of independent retail

Hide & Skin’s stalls are always busy. When Sunny is talking with customers, explaining custom options, making sales, and making the sale feel personal, the last thing the moment needs is friction during payment. Ensuring this never happens is part of Ranjan’s job.

"Fast and reliable payments are essential in a busy retail environment," he says. "The moment something doesn't work, you feel it immediately." If a payment terminal lags, loses connection, or can’t process a card, it doesn’t just cost a sale; it interrupts the flow of the day. Zeller’s 4G-connected terminals allow them to take payments wherever the customer is, whether at the front of the stall or while talking about a custom order.

"Fast and reliable payments are essential in a busy retail environment. The moment something doesn't work, you feel it immediately." - Ranjan Gulati

Welcoming customers and cards from around the world

Camden and Covent Garden attract people from all over the world. For a business focused on making every customer feel welcome, a card that doesn't go through isn't a minor inconvenience, it shatters customer experience. 

Since switching to Zeller, that's no longer a worry. Whether it's a US card, a corporate Amex, or an international Visa, every transaction goes through the same way. Digital receipts mean international customers aren’t fumbling with paper slips they might lose, and branded receipts add a small touch that shows the same care and professionalism Hide & Skin put into every part of their service.

One system, two locations, full visibility

Hide & Skin has survived 35 years in London retail by staying true to what it does best: exceptional craftsmanship, genuine customer relationships, and a family-run operation that treats every sale as personal. This consistency is how they ensure every customer has the same experience, no matter where they're from.

The business has evolved, from street trading to established market locations to an international online presence. The values haven't changed over the years, but the infrastructure around it evolved. Having a payment setup that matches the pace, scale, and ambition of the business means Sunny can focus on what he's always done best, and Ranjan can keep a clear eye on where the business is heading.

With Sunny focused on customers and craft, Ranjan needs a clear view of both locations without being in two places at once. The Zeller Dashboard helps Ranjan track sales, spot trends and understand the performance of both locations in real time.

For a business built on trust over three decades, that kind of clarity gives Ranjan and Sunny valuable data to focus on what Hide & Skin has always done best.“Every day is different, and being face-to-face with customers creates an energy and connection that traditional retail can't fully match.”

Meet your new favourite payments provider

Zeller’s all-in-one payments and POS solution gives you the reliability, visibility, and connectivity you need to take payments and manage sales at scale.

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