Account
Trendsplant Report Vol. V
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As a company and as a brand, we must tackle new situations and challenges which make our day-to-day business an uphill struggle. However, we will overcome them through ingenuity, our teamwork and your support as a customer.
Delays in new products
In the lead paragraph of this report we listed a series of changes affecting the fashion world.
In a few months, we have seen the major brands transferring their production to Europe, overloading the old continent’s manufacturers. China is no longer as attractive for manufacturing as before, while Portugal has now become a leading production location.
Yes, of course you’re currently hearing all this on radio and television. For some it may seem remote, but we’re here to tell you it’s 100% real.
It’s affected us at Trendsplant: the new winter collection has been delayed and the availability of new products on the website has suffered.
We’re trying to cut the delays, but it’s not just a production problem.
As well as the overloading of the factories, we must add the raw materials shortage, transport problems, and rising electricity prices.
Despite everything, we’ve decided not to pass on these rises to customers like you in the prices of our products, Thanks for your support.
Archive Sale
We launched this initiative several days ago. There were people who were surprised to see it.
Some customers wrote to remind us of our usual stance against continuous discounts, instead demonstrating the effort and work that goes into each product.
We’ve never done anything so aggressive, and this action has generated a very interesting internal debate which has taught us a lot.
A good part of our catalog is shifting to organic cotton, one step further down the path to sustainability we embarked on years ago.
Through this action we have freed up space in the warehouse, enabling us to take in more organic products, and of course, control our production better and opt more often for alternatives such as pre-order. Lesson learned!
Towards zero plastic
All our products arrive at the warehouse in plastic bags.
The bags still exist, they help to protect the products.
Having received the goods, we remove the bags and recycle them. Even so, we wish to go one step further: we’re thinking of a zipped plastic bag we can return to the factory to be reused for new products.
Reduce, reuse or recycle. Those are our parameters.
We’re also thinking of using potato starch bags, but we haven’t found a supplier who guarantees they will remain in good condition over time.
Knits Pre-order
Without doubt the star product this winter. We wanted to launch before it before, but we’ve told you the situation we’re now in.We love having a garment like this manufactured in Cuenca, just 200 kilometers from our warehouse, by one of the best Spanish manufacturers.
It consists of 80% merino wool and 20% polyamide, is made from Italian yarn and comes in four colors: green, navy blue, gray and beige.
Some very important figures
We closed the third quarter with 37% growth, both in the online store and the traditional store in Alicante.2020 was both difficult and special at the same time. Despite the pandemic we managed to double our total turnover compared to 2019, exceeding more than half a million euros.
For 2021 we set a turnover target of €800,000, with a view to exceeding €1 million in 2022. The orders we’ve received this year have increased by 9% in value compared to 2020.
The engine of our growth is partly the website, where we are making great efforts: it’s a part of the business that can be scaled up exponentially.
Nevertheless, we shouldn’t forget our traditional store in Alicante, whose sales are growing despite uncertain times and despite being a single-brand store.
The website grew by 122% in 2020 compared to 2019. In 2021 so far we have grown by 48%, matching the turnover for the whole of last year by the end of September.
Our team is a small family, we’re far from having the large headcount of other brands. However, we’re proud of having eight people on our staff. They’re people who live the brand as if it was their own.
It forms the basis for building ourselves as an alternative and being able to grow over the years. It’s an investment which has no immediate effect, but we believe we need it to fit with the values of our brand.
If we must pick out a star product, in the last three years our trunks made from SEAQUAL® YARN have performed spectacularly, representing between 10-15% of total turnover. It's a significant figure, especially bearing in mind that they are a seasonal product.
Repack and reuse
The sustainable packaging which may be added to their order by all Trendsplant customers who want it, is becoming an increasingly frequent alternative in the orders.
Germany is the source of most orders opting for this packaging which helps to improve the state of the environment, followed by the Netherlands and Spain.
Thanks to all those who opt for Repack: as you know, small gestures can turn out to be significant actions.
Six months, five attempted thefts
Yes, you read it right. This is a new situation for us as a brand, and it has quite surprised us. We’ve not faced these situations in the traditional stores we’ve had.During the last six months, our Alicante store team has foiled five attempted thefts. There have been surreal situations, like the customer who tried to steal several tried-on garments.
Fortunately, they have only been attempts and our team has not come to any harm, which is what matters to us.
However, we would like to share with you all that never has anything similar happened to us in such a short space of time.
Related posts
report
We're back! After a few months of intense activity, we have a lot of news to share with you. New collections, events, trips... We've been so immersed in a frenetic pace that we haven't had the chance to catch up with you until now. This has led us to the conclusion that we want to involve you more in our processes, meaning that we'll be generating "Reports" more frequently. This way, we can stay more in tune, almost as if it were live. So, without much fuss, here’s Report X, and that makes ten! As members of 1% for the Planet, we understand that the voluntary 1% tax on sales responds to a simple equation: You consume a resource = You give back a resource. Among other actions, this year we joined forces with Plogging Rrevolution, an event that combines outdoor exercise with waste collection.On this occasion, they chose Santa Barbara Castle to carry out the activity. This medieval fortress is located at the top of Mount Benacantil, in Alicante. This emblematic place has incalculable historical and cultural value, being one of the largest fortresses in Spain.Although public maintenance focuses on the conservation and restoration of the castle, cleaning the mountain slopes has been neglected due to the difficult access for workers.Faced with this reality, we decided to take action alongside Plogging Rrevolution, which agreed to join 1% for the Planet so that we could sponsor the event in a certified manner, donate products to participants, and create a Trendsplant team that took part in the cleanup. Together with other volunteers, we managed to collect 217 bags of waste.Last Black Friday, we tried to give a different meaning to the campaign. To start, our entire website was on promotion, but only at 10% off, and the discounts were already applied, convenient, simple, and not misleading. Itt was in the second step when everything got interesting. We left a decision for the buyer to make; on one hand, the option to donate an additional 10% to Wild Tomorrow, or on the other hand, to apply that same discount to the purchase, adding another -10% to the -10% the garment already had. And we won't lie, it was a great joy to know that the majority of our customers are so aligned with the company's values and what we strive to build day by day. The reason we chose Wild Tomorrow as the non-profit organization to donate the collected amount to is because we have been committed to them since 2020, donating a portion of 1% of annual revenue through 1% for the Planet, and we have a close relationship of trust with them. This time, we wanted not only to share the chance of raising additional funds to collaborate in their work to protect and expand habitats for wildlife in southern Africa but also to leave the "responsibility" to you, the customers, to make that decision personally and be voluntary participants rather than imposed ones. This idea had been bouncing around in our heads for ages... If you've been following us for a bit, you might've spotted Rudolphant in stories and newsletters, and finally, in 2023, we went for it: we brought Rudolphant to life.The tee came in one color only, Holly Green, and we only had 125 units up for grabs. You could snag one from Christmas until January 6, which is when the Three Wise Men arrive in Spain.The elephant embodies our company's values: humble · strong · resilient, this time with a touch of that festive spirit, bringing folks together like family.Even though labor costs have gone up there over the past few years - like the minimum wage jumping from €565 in 2012 to €958 in 2024 - we're adhering to our principles when it comes to our suppliers and their workers. We're all about ethical production, proud to chip in for better working conditions for the one who put our products together.That's how we roll, staying true to our values and our commitment to the planet, being a B Corp and all, and part of 1% for the Planet.In the textile game, we figure the human part makes up about 35% of the direct production cost (that's the manufacturing part), with the rest covering materials (mostly from Portugal, too) and getting everything where it needs to go - logistics.With the recent inflation hanging around, you might've noticed some of your favorite pieces costing a bit more. But hey, we're not about skimping on quality just to keep prices down. We reckon it's on all of us, from the factories to the brands to you, to make sure the people making the stuff we love are doing alright. We're still on our European journey. Like we've mentioned before, around 80% of Trendsplant's online sales happen outside Spain. That's why just over a year ago, we decided to kick off distribution in France, and then head on over to Germany. Right now, we've got 6 distribution zones in France, thanks to Hugo, Vadim, Nicolas, Wilfrid, Gauthier, and Stephane. And in Germany, we're working with Sebrina, Philip, and Klaus across 3 zones. Things have been going great since we started, and we've built up a network of retail spots that trust us for their customers, and it's growing every season. In January, we hit up two fairs, one in Grenoble and the other in Frankfurt. We're still pushing ahead with our international distribution plans, looking to expand into even more countries. We'll keep you in the loop when we've got more solid details.The spot we've picked is in a fantastic location, making it easy for more visitors in the city to stumble upon us and check out our product offering. We're pumped to give our products a fresh home, focusing on the little things, and making sure everyone who walks through the door gets the full experience. No official opening date just yet, but we're aiming for sometime in July. Stay tuned for updates! 2023 Results in numbers We've smashed through the one-million-euro revenue barrier, bringing in over 1.3 million euros. Plus, we've started turning a profit - maybe not a huge one, but it's a significant turnaround. This shift has been crucial in allowing us to scale up our investment in paid media. Thank youThanks for sticking around and reading through the whole Report, and for wanting to dive deeper into our vision, values, and what's new. We hope you feel more connected to us after hearing our thoughts. Let's keep pushing forward together! Here are a couple of recommendations: Book: "The One Thing" by Gary W. Keller and Jay PapasanPodcast: "Open" by Minimalism - Pepe Martin Garcia
report
It’s been a while since the last time we spoke about numbers, the truth is that we have been very focused on trying to turn things around, as the second half of 2022 didn't quite work in our favor...We closed the year with losses, yes... that's right, as you're reading. So, since that wasn't our goal, we've had to thoroughly assess the situation and rearrange things, a bit of "feng shui" to restore balance in the house.It hasn't been an easy task, months of long hours of work, and especially many decisions. Contrary to appearances, decision-making generates a lot of stress and tension, because as you can imagine, we don't always agree on everything right from the start.The change has affected nearly every aspect of the company. Many members of our team have departed, and we wish them the best of luck in their new endeavors. On the other hand, new team members have joined us, and we warmly welcome them.Now, as always, it's a pleasure to share with you this summary of moments, events, progress, and obstacles we've encountered over the past few months.Buckle up, as there's a lot of information coming your way!Collaboration with Umbrella Burger SocietyThis is a curious and lovely story about two companies that like each other without knowing it, that think about doing something together but have never said it, and suddenly... a connection is made, and everything starts to flow.Umbrella is a restaurant (well, there are quite a few now) known for its smash burgers. It's a company that, like us, was born in the city of Alicante, and that's the theme we used for the first collaboration between the two brands, the "Trendsplant V.1."It's a limited-edition burger that was available during the month of February and featured very local ingredients, such as the truly Alicante-style "salmorreta" (a base sauce used in rice dishes) and the mild garlic sauce (a light version of "aioli"). The intention was for each bite to transport you to the province.The burger was available in limited daily quantities, and the "sold out" sign was hung up day after day.We couldn’t be happier.Trendsplant x EquilibriumIn May, we launched our first collaboration with Equilibrium, an Alicante-based brand specialized in wellness and dedicated to sustainability and quality. Together, we have crafted a unique collection that seamlessly blends minimalist aesthetics and functionality.The collection, named "balanced" comprises garments and accessories crafted from sustainable materials that evoke the warm and carefree ambiance of the Mediterranean.Thanks to this collaboration, we have introduced several new products to our website: yoga mats and both short and long sports pants for women. New Collaboration with Antonyo MarestAntonyo has been collaborating with Trendsplant since 2015, years during which we've worked together on numerous projects, always aligned with our values and our beloved land, Alicante.The artist has just set up two beach huts adorned with his signature patterns and color palette, offering a visual treat both to all visitors of our city and us locals. We are thrilled to be tangentially involved in this project.To celebrate his newly installed works on Playa de San Juan, we have partnered with him to create a collection of t-shirts for both men and women, along with a swim short. This collection will also continue in the colder months with some hoodies and warmer garments.It has been a success since its launch, and we had to hang the "sold out" sign just a few days after its debut. The good news is that we've managed to restock it swiftly for the final stretch of summer. Life by the Sea: a renewed print yearlyWith the motto "Life by the Sea," we create a new graphic each year that we print on a white t-shirt and a navy blue one. Well… every year, except in 2022.A factory error led to us receiving the 2021 model last year instead of the new design for 2022.Considering our commitment to sustainability, we decided to keep the product and put it into circulation instead of storing them in a warehouse in Portugal.2022 will be remembered as the year when there was no new "Life by the Sea."In 2023 we have been able to continue the project, and this is the result.Collaboration with Surfrider Spain: Donation for World Oceans DayGiven our Mediterranean origin, we feel a deep connection to the ocean. That's why we work with materials like SEAQUAL®YARN, which is obtained from recycling plastics collected from the sea.This year, in honor of World Oceans Day and in line with our commitment to protect these precious ecosystems, we decided to donate 10% of the sales from June 8th. This donation was made in a special and meaningful way, as it was directed towards the conservation of the seas through the organization Surfrider Spain. New range of caps manufactured just a few kilometers from our officesWe are always seeking ways to improve and refine our processes, and production is one of the aspects in which we consistently work. Expanding our supplier base is not a simple task, and depending on the product category, it can become quite complex.For this reason, we are pleased to inform you that we have taken a significant step forward by manufacturing a new line of caps much closer to our offices, specifically 25km away from where all orders are dispatched, in Elche.In crafting these caps, we have utilized fabrics originating from our own province, Alicante, thus completing the circle of proximity in our supply chain.At present, the cap family comprises two sources of origin: on one hand, China, where all our trucker caps and technical five-panel caps are manufactured, and on the other hand, these new caps now produced in Spain. Both options maintain the same quality standards and meticulous attention to detail. Spring/Summer 2024: Planning collectionsDeciding to resume wholesale operations has led us, for the first time in our history, to conceive and create the collection samples a year ahead of their launch.Currently, stores are already acquiring the products that will be part of the Spring/Summer 2024 collection.However, you'll have to wait a little longer to see the new designs and colors. In the meantime, you can enjoy all the new items available on our website.European ExpansionWe are pleased to announce that we have strengthened our presence abroad by adding new points of sale in France and Germany. This expansion allows us to bring our products closer to a broader audience and to share our values with international communities that are deeply attuned to them. We are excited to witness how our garments flourish in these new markets and maintain a highly optimistic outlook for the future.As a special note, we are glad to inform you that the first agent who believed in our brand years ago has rejoined us.NumbersIt's time to talk about numbers. As we mentioned at the beginning of this report, the closure of 2022 was unfavorable, and we ended up with unexpected losses in the company. This led us to take action from October to get things in order and return to the long-awaited positive numbers.We can share quite a bit about the beginning of this year, but in summary:In the first six months, the company has grown by 50% compared to the first half of 2022.The website has grown by 38%.By the end of August 2023, we have achieved the projected billing for our website that we set for the entire year.We are in the green numbers (profitable).The blended ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) has increased by 8%.We are enthusiastically approaching the final stretch of 2023, and of course, we have revised our projections.Thank YouThank you for your ongoing support and for being part of our community! We continue to work on improvements.You can always join our newsletter to stay informed about updates, milestones, and more.Here are some recommendations to make your return to work more enjoyable:Book: The Creative Act: A Way of Being: Rubin, RickPodcast: Wondery: "Business War"
Brand News
We’re back! We have brought the second quarter to a close, and this is our personal balance sheet.
