Year of growth sets Celtic & Co. up for 2022
A Cornish sustainable fashion retailer is gearing up for another successful year after a period of growth in 2021.
Celtic & Co., founded in 1990 by husband-and-wife team Nick and Kath Whitworth, had its best year to date, increasing capacity through recruitment, production of footwear in its Cornish factory, and expanding into new premises.
The company now employs 84 permanent members of staff and operates across two sites in Cornwall with head offices at Indian Queens, and its factory in Newquay where the skilled team hand craft its collection of British sheepskin boots and slippers.
Celtic & Co. managing director, James Williams, who was appointed last May, said: “2021 was a huge year for us. We opened our new larger offices and warehouse at Indian Queens in the summer; successfully launched partnerships with John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, and Next; and recruited 26 local people who will help us achieve our ambitions for international growth.
“Our product development team has been working really hard to launch our best, and most sustainable, collection yet. This spring will see the addition of new summer wovens and knitwear using recycled linens, recycled and organic cottons, lyocell, and hemp, as well as more trainers and boots made using recycled rubber soles, recycled linen, and vegetable tanned leathers.”
The majority of Celtic & Co.’s suppliers are British based, with the remainder sourced as close to home as possible from specialist producers. The brand only uses natural fibres due to their renewable and sustainable qualities, and holds strong policies around animal welfare and ethical sourcing.
Having won two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in International Trade in 2018 and 2020, Celtic & Co. has continued to see its global business thrive. International highlights for the year include building on its US customer base, as well as significant growth in Australia, Canada, and Germany.
James continued: “A big thanks to our incredible staff who have all helped to make this such a successful year. We have exciting things planned for 2022, including building on our range of products and our partner relationships, opening our new shop at Indian Queens, and continuing with our sustainable strategies for circular fashion.”