Durham toy maker expanding internationally following 120 per cent turnover

Big Little Toys, a Durham-based educational toy manufacturer, is aiming to extend its international reach after securing contracts with three overseas distributors in Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

Big Little Toys was established in early 2015 by Sarah Greenwell and sells a range of elf dolls designed to encourage kindness in children and promote family bonding. Each elf comes with stationery and accessories.

The firm, which has sold internationally through its website since it began trading, has now set its sights on further expansion in the US, Scandinavia, Ireland and the Baltics, alongside growing its presence in the UAE and Hong Kong where it already has wholesale customers.

In 2017, the business exported more than 20,000 units to overseas markets. Big Little Toys also saw its revenue increase by 120 per cent in its first two years of business.

Sarah Greenwell, founder and CEO of Big Little Toys, said: “Exporting has taken our business to a new level, offering huge opportunities for growth. The exporting process is hugely rewarding, but preparation and insight is key.

“In addition to getting to grips with the logistics of getting our toys to their destinations, we’ve had to make sure that our product meets the different safety standards and regulations of each new market we explore.

“Through one-to-one coaching sessions, DIT has supported us by offering the skills and market knowledge necessary to make sure we’re always one step ahead of the game.

“People often think that exporting is unachievable, but with the right guidance it can be plain sailing. If we can do it, then others can too.”

Throughout its exporting journey, the company has received support from Department for International Trade (DIT) advisers dedicated to helping North East businesses to export.

They have worked with the firm to identify overseas opportunities and develop their exporting business plan.

David Coppock, regional director of the North East’s Department for International Trade, commented: “Big Little Toys is great an example of a homegrown North East firm making the most of the huge demand for British goods abroad.”