A business in Somerset is bucking the gloomy retail trend in lockdown and has seen sales grow more than 100%!

Since lockdown began, the high street has struggled to cope with the lack of customers and falling sales. For stores that have no online presence, there has a growing fear of the number of small businesses that could fail after lockdown eases.

This comes after it was announced that all non-essential shops and retailers would be able to open from 15th Jun.

However, one retailer is bucking this trend and has seen sales grow by more than 100%, according to Somerset Live.

Cox & Cox sells indoor and outdoor furniture, and the beautiful weather and lockdown restrictions have helped to boost their sales since mid-March.

Its CEO Richard Bell said the increase is due to expanding ranges, marketing efforts, and a growing reputation nationally for quality and service. The sector has also seen a boost as people are spending more time at home, and the nice weather means more families are using gardens frequently.

Mr Bell said:

“We completely overhauled our dispatch operations following an extremely busy and challenging Christmas, and it has thankfully put us in a very good position.”

He also added that the company went to remote working ahead of the lockdown, and they have been able to stay functional throughout.

The company also suggested that good weather has changed public interest in spending time outdoors. They also said the outdoor living range was extremely popular. It’s not only garden items that people are buying either. The company has also seen an increase in desk and stools sales, which could be contributed to an upturn in people working from home.

Other sectors flourishing during the lockdown

The lockdown restrictions have seen several companies struggling. However, there have also been several to gain from the experience.

With people spending more time at home, working out in your living space has taken the world by storm. With the likes of Joe Wicks heading up kids PE and apps making it easier to get fit when you can’t go out as much, some businesses have boomed.

Fitness entrepreneur Krissy Cela is one example. As reported by the BBC, Ms Cela launched an app called Tone & Sculpt in January 2019 as an affordable way to workout rather than going to the gym or hiring a personal trainer. Since lockdown began, the app has seen a growth of 88% of downloads, and “turnover has literally tripled in the last year.”

The Foreign Secretary has previously said that the British public won’t be able to get a haircut or visit pubs and restaurants until the 4th of July at the earliest.

Enjoying a ‘knees-up’ at home

Studies have suggested that alcohol consumption is up since the beginning of lockdown, and that’s given way to an increase for many businesses selling alcohol. Although the supermarket sells different types of beverages, many people are buying larger quantities from companies such as Laithwaites. As reported by the BBC, the company saw a 117% rise in Prosecco sales during April, plus an increase of new customers compared to last years figures.

The company spokesperson Andrew Stead told the BBC, “We’re seeing a level of sales we would normally associate with Christmas. Our sales at the moment are about double what we would expect for this time of year.”