Sales of extra-long, super-snuggly hot water bottles have helped a luxury kids products business approach annual sales of 拢1.5 million.
Twelve months ago Potwells launched what it believed to be the world鈥檚 longest, cuddliest hot water bottles for children.
The company鈥檚 founders said its success was overwhelming 鈥 selling out by lunchtime on its launch day.
Designed in Leicestershire and made in China, the hot water bottles had an equally enthusiastic response when they were back in stock a month later, with hundreds snapped up for Christmas presents, making them the firm鈥檚 best-selling product of 2018.
Potwells was launched in April 2015 by ex-Office Depot product manager Nicola Barnett and best friend, former primary school teacher, Julie Ann Mclean.
They sell their luxury children鈥檚 items on the Potwells website, through a partner operation KidCentral and through other retailers. A new space range is stocked by the National Space Centre in Leicester.
The water bottles, shaped like zebras, unicorns and dinosaurs, retail for 拢39.95, while storage boxes with animal designs start from 拢21.95.
More recently the business has started developing four new, extra cuddly characters, which it hopes to launch in time for Christmas 2020.
Potwells is also exploring a move to more environmentally-friendly and organic products.
Julie Ann said: 鈥淲e have listened to our most important customers, our seven children, and taken their feedback on board.
鈥淲e are expanding our product range to include softer, cuddly characters including a cat, dog, bear and penguin.
鈥淭he new characters are super soft and we think children 鈥 and big kids 鈥 will love to snuggle up to them.
鈥淭he new characters will be the perfect friends for our existing unicorn, zebra and dragon extra-long hot water bottles.鈥
What's new
Last year Potwells teamed up with Canadian distribution business KidCentral in a deal which is expected to see Potwells鈥 annual turnover grow from 拢400,000 to 拢1.5 million.
Through KidCentral, Potwells products have been sent to America, Canada and directly to France, while it continues to support independent 海角视频 retailers, both on the high street and online.
Since January its storage range has also been stocked by boutique mother and baby brand JoJo Mama Bebe.
In March, Potwells moved into new premises on the former Palitoy site in Coalville, in north west Leicestershire, where Action Man toys were once made.
The move has allowed it to expand its office and warehouse space to 75,000 sq ft and create a European hub for KidCentral, with Brexit uncertainty failing to dampen their ambitions.
Nicola said: 鈥淗aving grown up in the area, it was incredibly exciting to breathe life back to the old Palitoy site.
鈥淜nowing we are designing and distributing children鈥檚 products as they did is not only inspiring, but we believe it鈥檚 a good omen for our growing business.
鈥淥bviously, we are concerned at the possibility of a 鈥榥o deal鈥 and coming out of the EU, however we won鈥檛 let that stop us 鈥 we will continue to strive to grow a successful business, facing whatever challenges come our way.
鈥淎t the moment our pricing reflects current shipping and duty costs and if these changes then our prices will have to go up. But for now, it鈥檚 onwards and upwards for us.
鈥淲e鈥檝e had an exciting year so far and we鈥檙e gearing ourselves up for a successful Christmas period.
鈥淲e鈥檙e busy talking to magazine gift guides and influencers, getting our marketing in place ready for the festive push.
鈥淲e held our Christmas photo shoot in July, playing Christmas songs on one of the hottest days of the years to get the crew in the mood 鈥 it was bonkers but great fun.鈥
