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19-10-12 Sweet success for online retailer - Winning With Web |
The Slip Sweet Shop opened its doors on The Butterslip in Kilkenny with jars filled with retro & traditional sweets ranging from bulls eyes, apple drops & refreshers to fizzy cola bottles, giant strawberries, fruit salads & black jacks. A sweet treat for the palate and the nose. “Everyone who walks into the shop has a story to tell about their favourite sweet and the memories it brings back” says Brian Kenny, owner.
The website & eCommerce site www.slipsweetshop.com launched in December 2009 and quickly became the number one online sweetshop in Ireland. Having established the brand with the physical shop, website, eCommerce site and a significant presence on social networks, Brian quickly realised the potential of being online and took the leap in 2012 to focus all his efforts on that.
He now invests all his time and resources into building on the success of the online store.
The Slip Sweet Shop now trades solely online to great effect, boasting almost a million page views to their website and they also have a well established following on the social networks Facebook and Twitter.
Brian says that without the use of digital marketing, he never would have been able to access markets that are now the “bread and butter” of the Slip Sweet Shop. “One of our major successes is the wedding market; we are supplying sweets for at least one wedding every week. Every couple is looking for the extra special treat for their guests and our Slip Sweet Wedding Cart packed full of sweet filled jars has become an enormous success. Most of this business comes from word of mouth, and when people use Twitter and Facebook to “Like” us and recommend us to their network of friends and followers, and we gain new fans and business. We wouldn’t be the Number One online sweetshop in Ireland without social networks.” The Slip Sweet Shop now has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, & Youtube as well as their main website and eCommerce site at http://slipsweetshop.com/.
In addition to the domestic mar
ket, the Slip Sweet Shop has noticed an increase in sales to Britain, America, Canada and Australia. Brian suspects that these sales are mainly Irish people who have emigrated looking for a nostalgic taste of home and as these numbers of people continue to rise, so will his online sales.
ket, the Slip Sweet Shop has noticed an increase in sales to Britain, America, Canada and Australia. Brian suspects that these sales are mainly Irish people who have emigrated looking for a nostalgic taste of home and as these numbers of people continue to rise, so will his online sales.
Brian has had to hire two members of staff to keep up with demand as well as engaging local web design company 'Coded' to help him to establish, and maintain, his online presence. This constant monitoring of the site and its SEO keeps the Slip Sweet Shop ahead of the curve when it comes to its position as number one in the marketplace.
Brian believes that “no matter what your line of business is, you have to have an online presence to succeed in today’s market”. However it hasn’t all been plain sailing and Brian sees many ways that businesses can be helped to get online and develop effective marketing and sales with the use of social media. He also recognises the reward that it gives and urges small business to start looking for help from Enterprise Boards, or through local support groups and courses, to begin the first steps to successful online marketing and trading.
Website & online shop: http://slipsweetshop.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Slipsweetshop
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Slip-SweetShop/120302136416
Phone: 01-2873655
Email: http://slipsweetshop.com/contact.php
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Slipsweetshop
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Slip-SweetShop/120302136416
Phone: 01-2873655
Email: http://slipsweetshop.com/contact.php
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What are we looking for?
Small businesses nationwide that have survived, grown, expanded and transformed using the web.
The business must be registered in Ireland.
The business can operate in any sector.
The business does not necessarily have to demonstrate that it increased its workforce, but that would be a bonus.
Similarly, the business does not have to demonstrate that it is exporting internationally, but if it is we would like to know where its markets are.
We are especially keen to hear about businesses in the regions and not just the greater Dublin area, although we do want to find out about those too.
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