While lockdown has been brutal for many businesses, Devon Hampers has experienced massive growth as people cheer themselves, loved ones and colleagues with a hamper of West Country produce.
Devon Hampers has enjoyed a boom in both individual and corporate orders — from small vet practices to major multinationals like HSBC and Louis Vuitton — eager to show their appreciation for hard work, loyalty and flexibility in troubled times.
Devon Hampers was founded in 2014 and has always been an online business. Based in Lifton, Devon, it has expanded its workforce from two to 25 and moved to larger premises with its own bakery to cook fresh scones daily.
With Mother’s Day looming, the firm has now added bunches of fresh flowers to its widening range of West Country products.
Owned by Adam Fox-Edwards, former proprietor of the Arundell Arms Hotel in Lifton, Devon Hampers sells products from over 30 local artisan businesses. Even its cardboard comes from Plymouth. Its bespoke technology platform is designed, developed and supported by Vertical Plus, also in Plymouth.
Its increase in trade has cascaded down to its suppliers and been able to save them or help them back from furlough. One such is Hogs Bottom Preserves, also in Lifton, which makes jams and chutneys for the hampers, replacing lost hospitality trade.
“Our tagline is ‘Bringing Devon to You’,”
says Adam Fox-Edwards,
“and never have people so valued having the best of the West Country delivered to their doorstep. Clearly nothing quite conveys love, appreciation and indulgence like a hamper of scones, cream, pies, cheeses, coffee, pies, gin and more. 95% of our hampers are gifts and it has been really heart-warming to see the messages our customers write and the love and support they are conveying in our packages. It has also been a great way for organisations to stay in touch with their people whilst they are working from home.”