Nirvana achieves export success through e-commerce
Carlow-based e-commerce company Nirvana Wholesale is doing well from an export perspective with 85pc of its customers being independent retailers in the UK.
Starting from humble beginnings selling jewellery at Kilkenny market in 2003, founders Bob and Malene Devitt started selling wholesale from their website in 2008.
The business moved online just before the recession hit, but right from the beginning was targeting overseas business through online advertising.
Nirvana Wholesale sells wholesale fashion jewellery online to retailers in the UK and Ireland from its warehouse outside Carlow.
“We sell to jewellery shops, gift shops, hair dressing salons, online sellers and party planners. All orders are processed and shipped from our newly built premises outside Carlow. Growth has been swift since 2008 and we expect 2012 to be our best year ever,” said Bob Devitt.
At last count, the company had over 1,100 small businesses on its books, all acquired since 2008.
“What makes us different from our competitors is our willingness to fly to China every few months to meet with manufacturers, and our ability to keep all critical business processes in house,” said Devitt.
“The website was custom built for wholesale customers by us, product images are all taken in our own studio, and we manage our own advertising and marketing campaigns.”
Nirvana Wholesale has three staff in Ireland and one person on the ground in China monitoring quality control.