Isle of Arran soap firm enjoys record sales
A soap maker based on the Isle of Arran has cleaned up with “exponential growth” in turnover and customer numbers despite the pandemic forcing the closure of its retail outlets.
In the 24 months following a full rebrand from Arran Aromatics to Arran Sense of Scotland, the company has revealed record sales of its luxury bath, home and body care products.
With physical shops forced to close or deal with trading restrictions amid the pandemic, the family-run brand has ramped up its online presence. The team also threw itself into supporting the local community supplying free soaps to island residents, as well as care packages for the homeless and NHS workers.
Bosses have hailed a 220 per cent hike in turnover and a surge in new customer acquisition, up 95 per cent, with “engagement with the brand” rising by more than a fifth.
Backed by a new senior team including chief executive Kevin Meechan, sales and marketing director Andrew Russell, head of digital and ecommerce Claire Logan and majority investor Endless
LLP, the firm has undertaken “significant inward investment” to invigorate its digital offering.
The firm’s products, including bath and body ranges, skin care, fragrances and scented candles, are sold in more than 30 countries. Its products are produced on the Isle of Arran at the company’s Home Farm factory – an old dairy farm near Brodick Castle.
Russell, a founding family member, added: “We knew that we needed to change things in order to stay relevant and take the brand to new audiences. The challenge was how we did this.”