MyHobbyStore January News
MyHobbyStore wins Media Pioneer award!
January 29th, 2010
MyHobbyStore has received a Media Pioneer Award from the Specialist Media Network. More details from their website:
Who’s won?
MyHobbyStore, originally publishers of modelling, woodworking and crafts magazines, now online retailers and event organisers for hobbyists.
And why?
Hobbyist products have often been hard to find and there are many fragmented suppliers. Through publishing magazines, MyHobbystore learnt about what editorial content inspires a purchase and also how to source products. Hobbyist consumers are highly engaged in their activities and contribute to magazines, online communities and live events.
These skills have enabled MyHobbystore to create an ecommerce business, supplying thousands of products from multiple suppliers. The magazines create the interest and direct the readers to the store. There is a strong focus on customer service, with a dedicated in-house team. Online ecommerce revenues are up by 75% year on year, and make up 80% of all online revenues, with a growing international business.
MyHobbystore are also developing online communities and offering subscription-based content, including an online TV channel, competitions and digital editions of the magazines. The communities contribute comments and photo albums to the sites.
Owen Davies, CEO says, “We know that content from our magazines drives ecommerce revenue. We have changed the culture of the business from the top down and developed new skills in retail sourcing and merchandising.”
MyHobbyStore partners Leonardo program
January 19th, 2010
MyHobbyStore are now official partners of the The Leonardo Da Vinci Program, a European Commission initiative which provides funds for students.
The Leonardo intern scheme contributes to improving the quality of professional training which helps to prepare young workers for the technological and industrial changes which the labour market faces.
For more details of our intern programme, or to apply, please contact Lorna Killick (lorna.killick@myhobbystore.com).
Popular Crafts website launched
January 8th, 2010
Our latest website www.popularcrafts.com has been launched and looks fantastic. Nikki Coffey and her team, Julie, Chris and Sara Baldwin-Cole have created an impressive site and it has been a tremendous team effort. Kate Barratt has begun the marketing of the new site and Daniel Webb and his team are now uploading hundreds of new crafts products on to www.myhobbystore.com.
It is a great achievement for all involved in bringing the well regarded Popular Crafts brand back to life again.
You can download a copy of the Popular Crafts Media Pack here.
