French-style furniture ecommerce brand, The French Bedroom Company, has reported record YoY revenue growth of +50%.
Launched 15 years ago, The French Bedroom Company is co-owned and managed by husband-and-wife duo Georgia Metcalfe (pictured) and Ben Cons, and based in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. The team is 90% female – more than +40% higher than the ecommerce sector as a whole (48%).
The past trading year has been the best ever for the brand, overcoming huge challenges from Brexit and the pandemic that saw product lead time soar and deliveries bottleneck. Complexities of transporting containers from the East drove shipping costs up and hampered stock levels, while some items were held up in the Suez Canal.
Thanks to its commitment to creating an intimate customer journey and continued investment in leading technology and automation, The French Bedroom Company has seen repeat business increase by +40%, order volume by +46% and profits by +103%.
Georgia created a unique business proposition whereby her own house was transformed into a show home for the brand when it launched. Blurring the lines between business and customer, Georgia invited advocates to become part of the story and touch, feel and try the online-only products in real life. Customers and advocates include royalty, and celebrities such as Holly Willoughby, who spoke about the brand on This Morning last year.
This approach has resulted in a TrustPilot score of 4.9/5 and multiple award wins including a CoolBrands award for the fifth consecutive year, and the Fluid Digital Top 20 Interiors Industry Websites of 2021. Georgia was also recently shortlisted as a finalist in the 2021 NatWest Women of the Year Awards.
YoY growth is forecasted at +20% for the next three years as investment continues in logistics, new product development and marketing. Customer experience is at the forefront of the brand’s strategies – from storing products for new-home movers, to personally calling customers, The French Bedroom Company takes a customer-first approach.
Georgia comments: “The past year has thrown up many challenges, but we’re delighted to have come through this with our strongest-ever figures. We expect difficulties to continue over the next 12 months with significant cost increases across our supply chain, from materials to shipping along with the administrative pressures of Brexit, but we look forward to what the future brings.
“Our team are predominantly female, and I strongly believe our combined empathy helps us do great business in an industry that has been male-oriented for decades. I am grateful to my humble but hungry team who provide our customers with an outstanding service as our family business continues to grow.”
