Case Study: Joining Forces with "Taste & Texture" – A UK-Based Culinary Retailer
Buyer Profile
“Taste & Texture” is a thriving culinary retailer headquartered in Bristol, UK, with an online platform and 10 brick-and-mortar stores across England and Scotland. Launched in 2013, they specialize in kitchenware and dining essentials that blend functionality with contemporary British design, targeting home cooks and small eateries who value practicality and style.
Product Purchased
3,200 units of PVC placemats (rectangular, 46 cm x 33 cm, matte finish in navy blue and soft white) and 2,500 units of fabric placemats (cotton-polyester blend, oval, 42 cm x 30 cm, in herringbone charcoal and heather gray).
Collaboration Details
In March 2024, our inbox lit up with a message from Ellie Gordon, the merchandising lead at “Taste & Texture.” She’d been scouring suppliers for placemats to anchor their autumn 2024 “Cosy Dining” campaign and found our PVC and fabric options through a Google search for “durable modern placemats.” Ellie was after pieces that could withstand the mess of family meals—think gravy splashes and hot casseroles—while fitting their sleek, understated vibe. She requested a pitch and some hands-on samples.
We connected via Google Meet on March 14, 2024. Ellie laid out their vision: placemats that were wipeable or washable, heat-tolerant (up to 85°C), and in muted tones to match their seasonal stoneware. Our PVC placemats, with their matte finish, piqued her interest for their practicality, while the fabric placemats, woven from a cotton-polyester mix, appealed to her for their tactile charm. On March 16, we couriered a sample kit via Royal Mail—six PVC placemats (three navy blue, three soft white) and six fabric placemats (three charcoal herringbone, three heather gray)—with a packet detailing PVC’s waterproofing and the fabric’s machine-washable weave.
We connected via Google Meet on March 14, 2024. Ellie laid out their vision: placemats that were wipeable or washable, heat-tolerant (up to 85°C), and in muted tones to match their seasonal stoneware. Our PVC placemats, with their matte finish, piqued her interest for their practicality, while the fabric placemats, woven from a cotton-polyester mix, appealed to her for their tactile charm. On March 16, we couriered a sample kit via Royal Mail—six PVC placemats (three navy blue, three soft white) and six fabric placemats (three charcoal herringbone, three heather gray)—with a packet detailing PVC’s waterproofing and the fabric’s machine-washable weave.
The order landed on April 15: 3,200 PVC placemats (1,800 navy blue, 1,400 soft white) and 2,500 fabric placemats (1,300 charcoal, 1,200 heather gray), slated for delivery by July 2024 to prep their campaign. We fired up production on April 20. The PVC mats were extruded in our automated line, with the new texture rolled in at 130°C to set it just right; each stack of 800 cooled overnight to avoid warping. The fabric mats were woven on shuttle looms, with the herringbone pattern requiring a custom threading setup—slowing output to 300 per day but ensuring precision—followed by a dip in stain-guard solution and a 12-hour dry.
By June 15, everything was ready. We sent Ellie a Dropbox link with shots of the PVC mats being textured and the fabric mats folded in burlap sacks. The order shipped via sea freight to Southampton on June 18, docking July 3 after we sorted customs with a packing list and UKCA compliance docs. Ellie’s crew in Bristol unpacked on July 5, checking 250 units and flagging eight fabric mats with uneven hems, which we swapped out via DHL by July 12.
“Taste & Texture” launched the placemats in their stores and online in August 2024. Ellie reported the PVC mats flew off shelves for their “no-fuss elegance,” while the fabric mats became a hit with cafes stocking their bulk bins. Their campaign catalog showcased the mats under rustic breadboards, name-dropping us as their maker.
Outcome
The buzz from this drop has “Taste & Texture” eyeing a winter 2024 order for PVC mats in festive red. Their success also landed us a call from a Scottish bistro chain, keen to explore our range.
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