Barnsley firm’s turnover boost sparks plan to open new stores

A growing company which specialises in products for expectant mums is planning to open three new stores after starting out as an online business.
Alex Leslie, of Direct2Mum.Alex Leslie, of Direct2Mum.
Alex Leslie, of Direct2Mum.

Barnsley-based Direct2Mum has seen turnover double from £3m to £6m in the last 12 months and has major expansion plans.

The firm started as an online shop in 2010 operating out of 13,000 sq ft premises at Dodworth Business Park and opened its first walk-in store in a 100,000 sq ft unit nearby in May 2014. Company bosses plan to open three new stores in the future and expect turnover to rise to £10m next year.

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Alex Leslie, managing director, said: “This is an exciting time for us as a company as we’ve seen exponential growth this year, but we’re always looking at how we can grow and expand further.

“It’s great to see that our turnover has doubled, and we’re really keen to see the business grow further and become a household name. We pride ourselves on being there for parents from day one and we understand what we need to do to help parents make the right decisions for their child, and choose the right products for them.”

Around 60 per cent of Direct2Mum sales are still online with products being sent all over the UK. The firm employs 53 staff and stocks more than 8,000 items, ranging from prams to feeding equipment. The company has been backed by Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre, through Enterprising Barnsley, the business development arm of Barnsley Council.

Kevin Steel, Enterprising Barnsley’s business development manager, said: “Direct2Mum are a great example of how to do business well.”