As the Covid-19 outbreak has wreaked havoc across the globe, it has cast devastation on millions of people, led to mass unemployment in multiple countries and brought countless businesses crashing down.
Despite this, some industries have fared better than others in 2020, and although restaurants kept their doors closed during the pandemic, takeaway services like Deliveroo and Uber Eats significantly increased their customer base as people searched for comfort food during a stressful time.
Perhaps one of the less obvious retailers to thrive during the pandemic were hardware stores, as people took up DIY to improve the homes they were largely confined to. These are just three hardware, DIY and interior design companies that saw a major boost during lockdown – find out how they did it.
Oakwood Doors
Oakwood Doors is a family run business set up in 2006 with the aim of providing high-quality doors and spray finishes at competitive prices.
Although their showroom in Huddersfield has had to remain closed, the online arm of the company operated as normal – and made substantial gains in the local market.
Dulux
In July 2020 it was reported that Dulux had had to limit the purchase of paint, including their tester pots, after a huge rise in demand from consumers during lockdown.
But success comes in many different forms, and as well as their business boon, the paint manufacturer also hit a new sustainability milestone with their Can Recycling Scheme.
The initiative encourages customers to return empty paint pots to the company to be recycled, and so far a total of 670,000 cans have been recycled as part of the scheme. Uptake on the program has increase from 10% to 15% since its introduction in 2015, and it’s one of a number of sustainability measures the company is undertaking in the name of social responsibility.
Still & Bloom
Hampshire-based Still & Bloom had seen some difficulties over the course of the pandemic, with a dip in their sales thanks to the decimation of the retail sector.
And when owner Nick Fisher kickstarted the business online, he hoped it might bring a boost to his enterprise, but didn’t expect to become the subject of social media fame when former Love Island star Olivia Bowen shared a picture of one of his wooden stools on her interior design Instagram.
Bowen was flaunting her latest purchase when it caught the attention of one of Fisher’s friends who recognised the item. After he was encouraged by his wife to reach out to the influencer, Bowen made a promotional video showing off the Still & Bloom product, and before they knew it, the brand saw a vast increase in demand overnight.
In just 24 hours, the company had over 2500 new followers and the product in question is now one of their bestsellers.
While this evidences the desire for glam we all have for our homes, it’s also a great example of influencer marketing in action.
Those are only a few business success stories. Can you think of any others? Then let us know in the comments below.
In just 24 hours, the company had over 2500 new followers and the product in question is now one of their bestsellers.
While this evidences the desire for glam we all have for our homes, it’s also a great example of influencer marketing in action.
Those are only a few business success stories. Can you think of any others? Then let us know in the comments below.
