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TEAMWORK and community have been at the core of Hippychick’s business this year as they tried to navigate their way through the coronavirus pandemic.
The nursery equipment and gift/toy supplier, which is based in Bridgwater, said the pandemic has been ‘one of the most major challenges the business has had to face in recent years.’
The company, which has been trading for 21 years, was able to continue to trade through its online with a skeleton staff of just four staff.
The small team were able to work out of their premises in Bridgwater, two members of staff were instructed to work from home and the remainder of the staff were furloughed.
Hippychick founder Julia Minchin was one of the four staff able to continue working at the premises.
She took on the work at the warehouse, an area of the business she had been distanced from for many years, and with a tight team of three people had to learn the ordering, picking and packing systems overnight.
“When schools closed I recognised there was a huge opportunity for Hippychick,” Julia said.
“Parents all over the UK were plunged into a role of educator as well as parent. Whilst primary school children were widely catered for and received the lion’s share of media attention, the 0-5s were largely ignored.
“Hippychick was able to fill a gap in the market with its portfolio of quality, educational toys.
“Hippychick, like many other retailers, had been through some tough times in 2018/2019, particularly as a result of the uncertainty surrounding Brexit but it was one of the fortunate businesses to not only survive the first lockdown, but to bounce back from a couple of difficult years financially, too.
“In fact, Hippychick, received the most orders it has ever had in its history through its website, www.hippychick.com during the first lockdown.”
Since its inception more than 20 years ago Julia has always been committed to charitable causes.
She has helped to raise many thousands for various causes, most recently hosting events to raise funds for the Musgrove Hospital and Children’s Hospice South West.
When lockdown was announced, Julia was one of the first to offer a helping hand to the local community.
“At the height of ‘toilet-roll gate’ I instructed for a free loo roll to be despatched with every order,” Julia said.
“Despite my PR Agency’s protestations, I refused to allow this to be positioned as a publicity stunt. It was a genuine gesture from Hippychick from ample stock that they happened to have on site from a pre-lockdown visit to a Cash & Carry.
“During lockdown, Hippychick loaded up the back of a transit van and delivered free toys to primary schools in the Bridgwater area forced to remain open for children of key workers. Bundles were delivered to several schools and nurseries in and around Bridgwater.
“A blue light discount was also set up to support NHS workers through lockdown.”
And during the second lockdown Hippychick continued to do its bit to help their community.
They donated hundreds of gifts to local charities so that children from families under financial strain will receive a gift.
“Boxes laden with gifts have been distributed both to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Gift Appeal in Bridgwater as well as via Children’s Social Care – Sedgemoor,” Julia said.
“Like many other retailers, Hippychick is experiencing severe delays with imported stock being delayed either on route, or at the ports as a result of both the Pandemic and Brexit.
“It anticipates that the delays for all retailers will put overwhelming strain on normally couriers and Royal Mail.
” In order to fulfil customer orders in time for Christmas we are employing its own fleet of couriers (mainly friends and family) who have committed to driving orders to their destination within a 50 mile radius of Hippychick HQ in Bridgwater.”
