Press Release: Cornish company thrives during Covid challenges of 2020

Press Release: For immediate circulation

Cornish company thrives during Covid challenges of 2020

Slow-Fashion brand Celtic & Co., who sell luxury womenswear, menswear and homeware made from all-natural fibres, saw sales increase by c80% year on year for the AW20 season. The Cornish based company sell directly to customers through their website and call centre and have sent orders to over 60 countries across the globe.

Despite the challenges that Covid-19 presented to the running of the business, sales were helped by the shift towards online shopping and a consumer desire for comfortable clothing and footwear during lockdowns. The company make their sheepskin footwear by hand from their Newquay based workshop and demand has never been greater for their luxurious slippers.

Celtic & Co. has managed to significantly increase sales numbers year on year in each key geographical territory including the UK, US, Germany, Canada and Australia. International sales exceeded 31% of all sales in 2020 and grew by 88% yoy, from £2.6m in 2019 to £4.9m in 2020.

Overall, Celtic & Co.’s full year sales growth has risen by c75% from £8.9m to £15.5m with all footwear and clothing categories significantly up year on year.

Co-Founder of Celtic & Co., Nick Whitworth states: “Our strategy is to focus on a wide range of markets and opportunities to ensure we are not over reliant on one market or territory. A key part of this strategy is international growth. We will be targeting a further 20% increase in net sales and increased profitability in 2021.”

Nick and Kath Whitworth, who have been running the company for 30 years in their hometown of Newquay, were presented their second Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, one of the most prestigious business awards in the country, in 2020; after having received it in 2018 for the first time.

Celtic & Co. is also shortlisted in three categories for the Draper’s Sustainable Fashion Awards 2021 – Best Carbon Footprint Initiative, Best Circularity Initiative and Brand of the Year.

At the Great British Brands Award 2021 they have received a highly commended in the Sustainability category.