The Cheeky Panda's journey from a bedroom startup to a £15M sustainable brand offers invaluable lessons for ecommerce operators. This episode unpacks their strategic scaling through omnichannel sales, innovative marketing that makes sustainability engaging, and the critical balance of purpose and profit. Learn how to evolve your brand beyond just "sustainable" to truly captivate customers and secure major retail partnerships.
Key takeaways
Sustainability alone is no longer a unique selling proposition; brands must differentiate through compelling narratives, fun branding, and innovative product design to capture market share.
Strategic outsourcing is crucial for scaling; identify core competencies to keep in-house and delegate other functions to specialized partners to maintain agility and focus.
An omnichannel approach, blending D2C platforms like Shopify with wholesale (supermarkets) and marketplaces, is essential for maximizing reach and revenue, especially for consumer goods.
Leverage brand personality and unique marketing tactics (e.g., a giant panda costume) to create memorable interactions, build customer loyalty, and stand out to retailers.
Pricing and product quality remain paramount even for purpose-driven brands; ensure your sustainable offerings are competitive on value and performance to drive widespread adoption.
Themes
brand strategyomnichannel retailscaling & growthsustainable business
Chris Forbes is the co-founder at Cheeky Panda, leading the bamboo revolution selling toilet paper, period products, kitchen roll and more. Founded in 2016 they now sell via multiple international Shopify sites, and a plethora of wholesale and marketplace locations. Turnover is now £15,000,000 a year, and did I mention they’re a B Corp? In this episode, Chris Forbes reveals how The Cheeky Panda turned a bold eco idea into a £15M brand loved by customers and retailers alike. From smart scaling moves to making sustainability fun, Chris shares the mindset and marketing strategies behind their incredible growth. Hit PLAY to hear: 🚀 How The Cheeky Panda grew from a bedroom idea to a £15M sustainable brand 🧠 Chris Forbes’ biggest lesson: what to focus on (and what to outsource) when scaling 🌿 Why sustainability alone isn’t a USP anymore — and what actually sells now 😂 How a giant panda costume helped them win fans and supermarket deals 🛒 The secret behind their omnichannel growth across Shopify, Tesco, and more 💡 What it really takes to turn purpose into profit — and stay ahead of the competition Key timestamps to dive straight in: [04:24] 'Sustainable Innovation with Purpose' [07:36] Expanding Bamboo Product Range [12:01] Supermarkets Prioritizing Sustainable Suppliers [13:47] Pricing and Quality Drive Success [16:12] 'Cheeky Panda: Fun & Friendly' [21:14] Channel Strategies: Pros and Challenges [22:36] Listen to Chris’s Top Tips! Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/569---
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Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about brand strategy?
Sustainability alone is no longer a unique selling proposition; brands must differentiate through compelling narratives, fun branding, and innovative product design to capture market share.
What does this episode say about omnichannel retail?
Strategic outsourcing is crucial for scaling; identify core competencies to keep in-house and delegate other functions to specialized partners to maintain agility and focus.
What does this episode say about scaling & growth?
An omnichannel approach, blending D2C platforms like Shopify with wholesale (supermarkets) and marketplaces, is essential for maximizing reach and revenue, especially for consumer goods.
What does this episode say about sustainable business?
Leverage brand personality and unique marketing tactics (e.g., a giant panda costume) to create memorable interactions, build customer loyalty, and stand out to retailers.
What does this episode say about brand strategy?
Pricing and product quality remain paramount even for purpose-driven brands; ensure your sustainable offerings are competitive on value and performance to drive widespread adoption.
