A Hull gift producer has seen sales soar 160 per cent through the pandemic, thanks to an emerging puzzle craze that has stretched people’s minds.
Always Personal has sold a staggering 4,000 versions of The Impossible Puzzle - a clear jigsaw made from transparent acrylic.
Featuring nine to 330 pieces - with the option to order surplus to raise the difficulty further - the one thing it lacks is a picture, but it is painting a healthy one for the Sutton Fields team.
Described as having been a “challenging distraction for those struggling through a period of self-isolation,” it retails between £4.95 ad £24.95, with five different levels of difficulty.
“So many of our customers have told us that they’ve gifted the puzzle to loved ones because they wanted to keep their minds busy and help them through this crisis in whatever way they could,” Rob Harbord, managing director of the online gifting business said.
“I think that focusing on brainteasers and other logical tasks like this has been an ideal way for people to de-stress and, for folks in self isolation, keep the boredom at bay.”
The most popular version is the second hardest option at 150 pieces, with one in every 20 orders requesting surplus pieces.
“The puzzle pieces are made of clear acrylic, which adds another very challenging element to building a jigsaw,” Mr Harbord said.
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Part of the D3 Office Group, the revenue uplift for is based on year-on-year statistics for the firm founded in 2011, with photo cushions, photo flasks, custom-designed mouse mats and charging pads also proving popular through lockdown - as people created family reminders.
“The last few months have been a difficult time for so many people and we’ve been really lucky to play our part in helping some of them through it,” Mr Harbord said.
“The gifts we have provided have helped to put a much-needed smile on people’s faces. Some of our customers have wanted to mark a birthday, anniversary or new birth during this time.
“Others meanwhile have simply wanted to bring joy to a loved one who is in isolation and let them know, despite their distance, that they haven’t forgotten about them.”
D3 Computer Supplies and Print launched in the city in 1988, adding stationery supplier KCS in 1990 before merging with the near 70-year-old Hull stationer Peace and Taylor in 1998.
D3 Office Group was created later that year to reflect the diversification.
Hull businesses Euro Business Products and Crescent Office were added in the Noughties, with Boston Office Solutions and Timstat in Leeds, bringing a West Yorkshire presence.
Further acquisitions in Diamond Print Express, Bardsey Stationery and TLC of Ripon followed.