DownYourHighStreet - how it’s helping independent retailers to adapt
by Startacus Admin
With her high street store closed, some insights from one independent retailer on how adapting her business to an online platform has helped
Amanda Alexander is founder of Giddy Goat Toys in Didsbury on the outskirts of Manchester. Until the pandemic forced her to shut her doors the small independent business was ticking over nicely. But the pandemic changed all that.
The majority of Amanda’s sales were made in-store, with children and parents popping in to browse the toys and books before buying. Virtually no sales were made online, with less than £100 pcm being earnt that way.
Amanda had previously joined DownYourHighStreet.com, a free to join, low commission online marketplace aiming to create the world’s longest high street by connecting communities with commerce and giving the Great British High Street an online presence.
The DownYourHighStreet platform enables independent retailers to establish a visible online presence without the usual time and cost restraints.
When the lockdown started in March 2020, and Amanda was forced to close her doors, the impact of her decision to join DownYourHighStreet soon became clear.
Amanda explains: “Our sales started to hit £4,000 - £5,000 per month – all direct from DownYourHighStreet.com! We went from worrying that the business may have to close, to having our best month ever! Funnily enough it’s also meant I had to recruit extra people to help out once we re-opened after the first lockdown as we had to run both a shop and an online business...I hope that we will be able to keep all our staff on going forwards as we continue to serve both local people and deliver to our online customers too.”
DownYourHighStreet.com founder Dan Whytock adds: “Working with indie retailers like Amanda is what we love doing. Every small shop needs an online presence but trying to create and manage that yourself can be prohibitive. Since the start of the first lockdown we’ve signed up over 200 independent retailers to the platform and helped to save many of them from having to close permanently – which would be a disaster for our High Streets.”
Incidentally, how the retail sector and the High Street responds in our post-pandemic economy is a topic that we’ll be exploring at our upcoming LEVELUP event, more details of which will be announced soon. If you'd like to be kept up to date with this event, simply register your details and we'll kep you posted.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
The lowdown on Manchester-based startup Sticky and its innovative no-code solution to help businesses turn any physical space into an engagement opportunity.
Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.
Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.
The group payments solution that's better for businesses and customers alike, thanks to innovative fintech startup Hands In.
The lowdown on FuturePlus, the startup that's on a mission to make sustainability accessible, achievable and affordable for all businesses.
.jpg)
John McLachlan, author and co-founder of Monkey Puzzle Training & Consultancy examines the differences between action-oriented and reflective leaders and which approach is best.
The fitness app that's not just about physical fitness; GoJoe helps employers to engage, motivate and connect their people across all pillars of wellbeing.
Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.
Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.
London-based startup Deep Render tackles the internet’s data and bandwidth challenges via its innovative AI-powered file compression technology.
Published on: 25th March 2021
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Startup Sook Receives Investment from Tobin Capital 24th May 2023 Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.
- L Marks Seeking Startups and Scaleups for Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator 23rd May 2023 Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.
- United Utilities Innovation Lab launches call-out for innovative ideas for fifth programme 18th May 2023 Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.
- OneTech Spins Out from Capital Enterprise to Support Underserved Communities in Tech Across the UK 18th May 2023 Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.
