A BRIDGWATER business has announced 13 per cent year-on-year growth despite the cost-of-living crisis.

Hippychick Ltd, a retailer specialising in baby and toddler gear and luxury gifts, has defied the gloomy retail climate to post one of its best trading years in the last decade.

This is welcome news for an industry that has seen 17,145 independent stores and high street chains close permanently in 2022, according to The Centre for Retail Research (CRR).

Though the cost of living is affecting the retail sector significantly, Hippychick's approach to offering value, reducing margins and selling higher volumes appears to be paying off.

As the company gears up to mark its 25-year business anniversary in 2024, it remains committed to its original brand values of providing high-quality baby and toddler products.

Bridgwater Mercury: Hippychick Ltd is defying the gloomy retail climate

Julia Minchin, Hippychick’s founder and managing director said: "Having several routes to market helps.

"Hippychick is a business-to-business operation as well as a direct-to-consumer retailer.

"This year, both sides of the operation have performed outstandingly.

"The website along with Amazon are our biggest consumer-facing retail platforms and last year, growth exceeded targets, increasing by a massive 36 per cent (2021-2022 versus 2022-2023)."

In addition, Hippychick's trade arm, which sells products into key accounts, is tracking an even higher sales growth this financial year, currently at 43 per cent.

Despite consumer belt-tightening, Hippychick has found success through initiatives such as their 'Preloved' page and warehouse sales.

The latter provides a platform for the company to sell end-of-line stock and second-hand items directly from their warehouse at up to 80 per cent off the list price.

Warehouse sales also offer Hippychick an opportunity to raise money for their chosen charity, Brainwave, based in Somerset.

The next scheduled warehouse sale will take place at Hippychick’s headquarters in Robert’s Drive, Bridgwater, from 10am till 12.30pm on December 2, just in time for Christmas shopping.

Minchin further reflected on the company's success amid the retail challenges: "Consumer belt-tightening is, of course, impacting our business, as it is across the whole of the retail sector but our strategy is to create genuine value for the consumer."

For more information about Hippychick and their upcoming warehouse sale, visit their website at www.hippychick.com.