There have been changes at the top of lingerie distributor Kevco Wholesale, with co-founder Dave Rennison [pictured left] retiring and fellow co-founder Kevin Wooldridge [pictured right] acquiring his shares.
During their time together, Kevin did most of the day to day running of the company, with Dave focusing on the financial side of the business, so customers should not be adversely affected by the restructuring – indeed, they could benefit, as Kevin told ETO: “We have big plans for the future. We are doing an evaluation on all of our brands and are looking to add new ones which will complement our exiting ranges. We are also looking at options to diversify into other avenues.”
Carlisle-based Kevco Wholesale was formed in 2008 and grew to become one of Europe’s leading lingerie distributors, regularly winning ETO awards in its category, but its international expansion was curtailed when the UK left the European Union. “Brexit was a shock to the system in the early days and initially we did lose all of our European customers,” Wooldridge said. “But it is a lot easier to ship to European customers now and we are seeing old customers returning and new ones joining. We expect our European business to grow a lot in the next 12 months.”
Covid and the cost-of-living crisis also had an impact on the firm, Wooldridge added, though it is now seeing more new account applications: “Encouragingly, quite a lot are shops,” he said. “In any downturn where people exit it leaves opportunities for new people to come in and serve the public. What we sell – lingerie and footwear – will always sell so we feel the business is in a good position to start growing again.”
To assist Kevco’s growth, experienced lingerie sector sales manager Lynne Seeds is helping the firm acquire new customers, as well as supporting existing accounts, and those looking to run pre-Christmas or New Year sales will be pleased to hear that promotions will be ongoing: “We have very high stock which we need to reduce so we can reinvest into new ranges and projects,” said Wooldridge. “We are planning to run sales, and we can work with retailers who wish to run offers during Cyber Week, Christmas etc. We are also looking into welcoming customers to our warehouse. There will be bargains for all the savvy buyers.”
When asked what prompted his decision to retire, Dave Rennison told ETO: “I’m 67, I’ve worked all my life, and after a health scare I want to spend more time with family and enjoying music, which is my passion.”
Kevin admitted to mixed emotions about his erstwhile partner retiring: “I’m glad he can retire and have a stress-free life. For my part, it’s exciting and daunting that everything is now down to me, but I am a workaholic, and I am up for the challenge.”
For more information about Kevco visit www.wholesalelingerie.co.uk, email [email protected] or [email protected], or call +44 (0)1228 517821.
