news
ProCook owner seeks investment to support
future growth Following its most successful peak trading period to date ProCook is eyeing up opportunities for expansion both in Europe and the UK, with owner Daniel O’Neill seeking investment partners. The kitchenware retailer saw a huge 40% uplift on sales for the 12 weeks to 3rd January compared to the same period last year, and is exploring further growth opportunities by pursuing EU markets and expanding its retail portfolio. With an expected annual turnover of over £50m profits are set to top £10m this financial year. Despite most stores being closed for
the November and December lockdowns, total company sales reached £21m in the run up to and including Christmas. With a +132% growth in like-for-like sales online for the period, which was partially offset by an expected drop of 21% in retail sales due to lockdown restrictions. Sales were driven by increased consumer demand together with significant growth in the newly expanded tableware
Non-Essential Shops to Close Again
The UK entered its third lockdown since the Covid-19 pandemic began last March. The government called for all non- essential business’ to once again close albeit briefly allowing them to be open over the Christmas period. Non-essential retail includes department
stores, book shops, technology stores and more high street stalwarts will have to shut. The full list of non-essential shops includes clothing and homeware stores, vehicle showrooms (other than for rental), betting shops, tailors, tobacco and vape shops, electronic goods and mobile phone shops, and market stalls selling non- essential goods. The new shop closures come after a difficult year for retailers, who were forced to shut shops between March and June in the first nationwide lockdown and again during November’s second English lockdown. Despite this, many retailers are adapting their online presence and providing click and collect services to make up for the closures.
January/February 2021
What More UK: How East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce Got Us on the Road to Export
In just over two decades What More UK have managed to get their British made goods on sale in 75 countries and it was East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce that put them on the road to export.
Company Director Tony Grimshaw is an export champion. He’s a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of World Traders and he’s been given an OBE for his contribution to British commerce. It’s fair to say this
man knows a thing or two about the export sector. If you ask him how it all came about, the answer is a tribute to another organisation entirely: East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber provides business support on the practicalities of export right up to the strategic level. They know the international markets. They are aware of the cultural issues, the political situations, and the regulatory frameworks. Part
of their job is to pass on that knowledge to their members, and with Brexit just around the corner they’re providing a service that has never been more valuable. “And if we can’t help, we’ll know someone who can” says Jen Hill, Marketing Manager at the Chamber.
Eddingtons receive excellent rating in Wall Street Journal
Eddingtons are delighted to announce that its new Icebreaker brand was rated 1 of 5 best ice cube makers in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL on the 16th of January 2021. The author selects and
displays their view of the best solution within 5 different ice-making categories. ICEBREAKER® POP is honoured to be the #1 within basic ice cube trays and COOL DESIGN, solving the pain of ‘sloppy filling proposition’ now available in the Yuk and Eire
exclusively from Eddingtons Ltd: Filling most trays is a sloppy proposition. Created by a Danish engineer, the Icebreaker Pop tidies up the process. Just fill the top hole of the canteen-like device with water, seal the rubber stopper and freeze for 7-8 hours. To loosen the ice cubes from the container, and separate them from each other, lay it on a counter and press down like you’re performing CPR (you’ll hear a sternum-snapping sound of crunching ice). Then
pull the rubber handles on either side apart: Out pour 18 one-inch cubes (or, technically, decahedrons). ($25, store.
moma.org)”
Definitive guidance on trading with Amazon
The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) hosted a series of webinars with a selection of its business service providers, including a particularly well-attended session on trading with Amazon.
Entitled ‘How to Stay Competitive on Amazon: Key insights and strategies for Sellers & Vendors’, this webinar was presented by Amazon specialist agency, RT7 Digital. Starting with the latest statistics and projections for ecommerce sales, RT7 Digital also made the point that Amazon is not just about selling. 66% of product
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searches now start there as opposed to Google and 79% of all ecommerce sales featuring Amazon as part of the journey, even if just for research, so it is a key communication channel. The presentation took
BHETA members through the key considerations for starting to work with Amazon – fulfilment, pricing, resellers and restrictions – before detailing the key steps for success. From set up to brand registry to discoverability, the webinar provided examples of well-optimised content, before moving on to Amazon advertising, brand defence and conquest. RT7 Digital also walked delegates through the
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timings they can expect in setting up with Amazon, and the implications of BREXIT for Amazon sellers. BHETA’s marketing manager,
Steve Richardson commented, “This was an informative session, which will have been of immense help to BHETA members whatever their relationship with Amazon. Business support is a key benefit of BHETA membership, especially in these changing times.”
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