A Year in Review
2018 was an incredible year for us here at Celtic & Co. We chased winter around the globe and saw a huge increase in international sales, shipping to over 80 different countries. This certainly didn't go unnoticed. Amongst regional awards, our biggest win and the proudest moment in our 28 years was winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise: International Trade, one of the most prestigious business awards in the country. Watch the video below of our special day when we received a Royal visit to our workshop here in Cornwall.
Over the last 12 months we gave our Newquay shop a big makeover and successfully made the commitment to remove single use plastic packaging from our orders. We got to work with some incredible bloggers, influencers and celebrities such as Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer. We also held more customer shopping events and successfully helped stockists of Celtic clothing launch pop up shops in different high streets.
Here are some of 2018's highlights in a nutshell...
Other Awards
Alongside our Queen's Award, we also won a few other notable titles. We took home the Western Morning News' 'Family Business of the Year' award, we were also crowned 'Entrepreneur Of The Year' and collected the 'Technology & Innovation Award' for the South West at the National Family Business Awards. Go Celtic!
Bloggers & Influencers
Over the past year we've got to work with many wonderful bloggers and influencers who shouted about our natural products on their websites and instagram pages, from slippers to boots, knitwear to soft furnishings. Here's just an example of the lovely ladies we worked with. Click on each image to visit their blogs.
Two ladies in particular - the gorgeous Kat Farmer of 'Does My Bum Look 40' and Lauren Shepherd of 'Hunters & Heels' worked closely with us back in October, speaking at our exclusive customer shopping events. Over three days we took our new winter collection on the road around the country to three stunning hotels - Barnett Hill Hotel in Guildford, Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa in New Milton, Hampshire and Cowley Manor in the Cotswolds. Kat and Lauren spoke about getting the most out of your wardrobe, investment pieces and the importance of natural fibres, which is everything we stand for at Celtic & Co.
Customers were very impressed to learn that our all-natural products are designed and crafted for life with minimal impact on the planet, predominantly crafted in Great Britain. They also enjoyed learning that items such as our sheepskin footwear were still handcrafted in our hometown of Newquay, Cornwall, and that they are machine washable and can be resoled and repaired by us too!
Watch our behind the scenes footage below of our cocktail evening and luxury lunches...
Pop Up Shops
This year we offered 4 stockists of our ethical, sustainable product range the chance to host exclusive pop up shops. The aim was to bring the brand to the customers, giving them the chance to try and buy from the latest collection, and we are still on the hunt for more trade contacts to work with in the New Year!
Pop up shops were successfully hosted by Luigi Fashion Boutique in Surrey, Mademoiselle Mojo in Tiverton, Elliotts of Lymington and Stepping Out in Midhurst. Our Trade Manager Clare Whitworth (the founders of Celtic & Co.'s daughter) worked closely with each store owner to plan the space and with the marketing of each event. Stock was set on a full sale or return agreement, so it was the best way to test the market in a risk-free way, allowing shop owners to stock up with new, and sometimes experimental lines, and only be invoiced for what they sell or keep hold of.
Trade is a big area of the business that Celtic & Co. will be focusing on in the new year, so for more information or trade enquiries, please click here.
Zero Plastic
In 2018, another great achievement for us was successfully making the commitment to remove single use plastic packaging from our orders, and using eco-friendly options only. It was a big step towards a zero plastic future for Celtic & Co. It hasn't stopped there, we actively promote recycling throughout our offices, warehouse and factory too. All paper, card, pallets, tins, plastics, ink and toner cartridges, catalogues and magazines are recycled. We ensure any plastic bags, biodegradable poly-wrap and all delivery, gift boxes, tissue and void fill for packaging are 100% recycled and compostable.
A Sustainable New Year's Resolution
To finish our round up of 2018, it's only fitting to talk about the future and how you yourself can make some changes to think more natural and buy more consciously. After oil, the fast fashion industry is the second largest polluter on the planet. Acrylic and polyester are polluting our oceans and water supply by releasing microfibres every time you wash. So it's time to start thinking about natural, investment clothing for your wardrobe, pieces for life, rather than throw-away faddy styles just for the season. Here at Celtic & Co. we are all about 'slow fashion' and how to get the most out of your clothing.
So we've put together a New Year's Resolution guide to buying (and styling) more consciously. Read the blog here.
