Global gains for local cultural scene as urban clothing retailer builds on success.
Artists, musicians and fashion designers from the South West are set to benefit from the success of a fast-growing local retailer.
Bristol-based Recreo Clothing has revealed that it experienced more than a ten-fold increase in orders over the last 12 months alone. Even though the e-tailer only began trading two years ago, it said the recent sales surge was due to a massive growth in demand from consumers across the UK and around the world.
Directors Duncan Wilmot and James Batten stressed that its bigger international profile meant a wider audience for local labels among the major and independent brands which it stocks. “The last year has been truly remarkable. We decided to make relatively subtle changes to our marketing, the ranges that we sell and our delivery systems and they have all had significant impact. “The number of orders which we have handled since then has been increasing at the rate of 30 per cent month-by-month. “As well as continuing to grow our customer base in the South West, we have attracted huge numbers of shoppers throughout Britain, Europe and as far afield as the United States and even Australia, who now prefer shopping with us to their local outlets.
“We already have plans in place to capitalise on that momentum over the next 12 months and on into the future.
“Doing so also means being able to further our commitment to providing an even bigger stage for local designers, artists and bands who we have worked with since we began trading.”
Since Mr Wilmot and Mr Batten launched Recreo Clothing in September 2012, it has gained favour with the skater, street art, music, snow and surfing communities for its large range of clothing, equipment and accessories. It has also become well-known for its support of local musical and artistic talent. Mr Wilmot outlined how Recreo Clothing was exploring the need to move to new, bigger offices in order to build on the brand’s growing appeal.
“The progress which we have seen recently and our expectations for the future need careful management in order to be sustained. “A key part of our approach is that we don’t think that being a relatively small retailer necessarily means that we can’t have the sort of standards of service normally associated with much bigger brands.
“For example, we have put in place a breadth and flexibility of delivery more typical of retailers many times our size. That’s because we understand how important a factor that can be in consumers deciding whether to complete purchases or not.
“By sticking to our ideals and continuing to offer great service, we are confident that we can swell the number of individuals who choose to shop with us on a regular basis, wherever they are.”
