About Goose Island
The first time Karen Hutchings experienced the fashion potential of Balinese products on a visit in 1993, she knew she had to share these riches with everyone at home in the UK. Goose Island was born.
Goose Island derives its name from its location in the picturesque Swansea Marina where the company was first setup as a small retail business. Karen used her own creative talents to transform the rich traditional design heritage of the Far East into fashionable clothing, jewellery and accessories which were eagerly accepted by UK shoppers. From modest beginnings, selling through parties and craft fairs, Goose Island has grown into a well-established retail and wholesale company exporting all over the world.
Under Tropical Skies
The Goose Island label now stands for a treasure trove of exciting and exotic hand crafted clothing, jewellery and accessories all carefully selected under tropical skies in the lush beauty of Far Eastern islands and hot bazaars of India.
Fair Trade
We visit villages and factories ourselves, ensuring that all our clothing, jewellery and accessories are handmade under fair and ethical conditions. We personally meet employees in all the workshops and cottage industries where the items are made and workers are paid directly by us with no risk of being cheated by a middle-man. We take great pride in the quality and beauty of our products and are constantly updating our ranges to reflect the change in seasons.
Stepping Stones to Success
1993: Goose Island was started selling Balinese clothing and accessories using the party plan system of retailing.
1994: The first Goose Island shop opens in Swansea.
1995-2001: Three more shops opened in Cardiff, Cowbridge and Swansea. Karen now entered the wholesale market. Karen’s husband Peter retired as a successful international steel trader to join Goose Island full time.
2002: The first agents appointed to sell Goose Island products to retail stockists nationwide.
2004: A client list of over 400 regular trade customers built up.
2005: first trade exhibition at the Harrogate Gift Show for the retail trade. Exhibiting at a trade show was a significant development which marked the beginnings of a new era in b2b market growth. Goose Island designs Ltd setup to serve the wholesale trade in addition to Goose island designs Ltd serving the retail customers.
2005-2009: Now exhibiting at 6 to 7 trade shows annually. Goose Island increased wholesale customers to nearly 1000 stockists in the UK, Europe, Japan and the Caribbean, including major multiples such as Kalico, House of Fraser and Ann Harvey.
2010: Secured new contracts to export to prominent large scale retail organisations in France, Poland and Greece. Launched new retail website www.gooseislandshop.co.uk with links to social networking sites to keep customers up to date with all the latest news and developments. Goose Island out grows its current location and is relocating to prestigious new premises to incorporate the warehouse, office space and showroom.
The Company
Name: Goose Island Ltd
Number of employees: 25+
Premises:
• 20,000sq ft warehouse and offices.
• 2 up-market retail premises in Mumbles and Cowbridge each over 1500sq ft in size. Nature of Business
• Importers of clothing, jewellery, accessories, paintings and furniture from India, Bali and China.
• Retailers of these products in South Wales • Wholesalers of these products serving 1500+ outlets in the UK, Europe and many more countries worldwide