Trends UK’s Graham Spark on the huge demand for Paint Sticks and how the company is keeping business going during lockdown.
As part of a series of interviews with businesses in the preschool sector, PPS speaks to Graham Spark, UK sales director at Trends UK, about how the company is keeping business going throughout the current restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
What are your immediate concerns? How are you looking to tackle these?
We have taken care to look after the welfare of staff, friends and family from both a health perspective and a business point of view. Following government advice, we have closed the office and everyone is working from home. Our fantastic team is working hard to maintain regular contact, while ensuring we fulfil orders where possible to help our online retailers and their consumers.
How are you keeping business going?
Keeping everyone safe and ensuring our business stays strong for the future, we have furloughed some staff members. We have a core team in place and they are ensuring we process POs, maintaining contact with customers and looking at forward stocks. Microsoft Team is proving invaluable and we have daily calls/meetings with everyone. Thankfully China is pretty much back up and running so we are ready for the times ahead.
What products are still selling and where are you selling them?
Craft and kits are all doing particularly well. Paint Sticks is in huge demand, along with our Machine Works Engines & Science Mad Kits. We have also seen a big uplift in our preschool educational learning toys. Parents are obviously looking to keep their kids both entertained in these tough times, while also maintaining a level of learning.
Obviously most of this demand is through online and we are working hard to support all our online customers. Argos also appears to be doing well as are able to keep stores open inside Sainsbury’s.
What is your longer term view?
No one knows when this will end, but we also know it will eventually end and we need to be prepared for a return to ‘normal’, whatever that might be. We continue to plan for a strong quarter three and four, by building up our stock levels in readiness to service and supply the retail market and consumers who will be eager to re-stock and shop.
Staying healthy and managing cash flow are the key priorities for the ongoing survival of the business.
