Online platform connects local businesses with customers during lockdown

At a time when businesses need help reaching customers online, a small start-up from Bristol is proving to be a lifeline for independent companies in the food and drink sector.

Good Sixty was set up to support small retailers and fine food producers. Helping indie brands and businesses to compete with large corporations, the collective brings local companies together in a single online marketplace.

Customers can shop from various companies on the site, then place a single order for home delivery. At a time when consumers are increasingly looking to support small and local businesses, it’s a vital platform that connects shoppers with retailers and brands in their community in an effort to help local markets and high streets survive the COVID-19 storm.

Participating retailers witness a 10-fold increase in volume of sales through the platform, compared to individual online shop sales. For smaller businesses that aren’t able to set up and market their own online shop and delivery logistics, it’s a valuable platform to have access to.

Harry Noel-Smith, founder of Kinetic Kitchen in Bristol, said, “After having to close our main revenue source – our coffee truck – the business was certainly in turmoil. With such a small online presence prior to lockdown, it was an incredibly daunting experience not knowing how we would pay our next bill. Along comes the local superhero: Good Sixty. As well as connecting us to numerous local and further-afield customers, the company has been extremely supportive with online and social media exposure. We have now tripled our online customer base and have secured a sustainable income for Kinetic Kitchen.”

Wajiha Husein from Chocoleeha in Bristol, added: “Good Sixty has been a huge support for our little business during such a difficult and challenging time. We’ve received an ongoing influx of orders, which has enabled us to pay our bills and keep us running. As a small independent business with very little marketing budget, it’s always been a struggle for us to maintain our online presence, but with the help of Good Sixty we’ve been able to focus on online sales and really drive this forward.”

Good Sixty currently offers products from 50 brands in Bath and Bristol. The platform is also the only approved online solution for London’s Borough Market, helping the market’s stallholders reach customers with a click-and-collect service as well as delivery within a five-mile radius. The Good Sixty website also includes an Artisans by Post feature, enabling 90 small artisanal producers to showcase their goods in one place for customers across the UK.