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Hopson Grace was one of many home decor operations that saw success early in the pandemic, with its 2020 online sales doubling to almost 30% of revenue. Almost three years later, its online business has consistently accounted for 20–25% of sales, and the return of weddings have boosted its registry business.
The Canadian-based company recently moved into a 4,000-square-foot showroom in Toronto, after expanding its product selection and outgrew its first location, which was about 1,000 square feet. But the future of the company’s expansion plans lies in its e-commerce and registry platform, where the company is gaining traffic in the United States.
- For now, the majority of Hopson Grace’s sales still come from its brick-and-mortar operations, co-founder Andrea Hopson told Retail Brew.
- The brand has built a dedicated customer base since its founding in 2016, as 80% of its shoppers are repeat customers.
- Hopson attributes this loyalty to the unique tableware products and brands it carries, names that include Richard Ginori, Mud Australia, Tom Dixon, Ethnicraft, and others.
“They feel a great affinity in terms of a kind of shared philosophy. Not just the quality of the product, but the aesthetic philosophy, which is…less stuffy,” Hopson said. “We’re bringing that culture and vibe to the way they already want to live, and so we’re reflecting their needs.”
The registry platform and marrying that with its existing online business is now the primary focus for the company over the next year or so, co-founder Martha Grace McKimm told Retail Brew. She explained that couples in Toronto have been looking for a modern, curated offering, and Hopson Grace has been able to accommodate items beyond tableware, such as furniture, bedding, rugs, and bathroom products.
- The new Toronto showroom includes an entire floor dedicated to displaying the new product offerings Hopson Grace now carries as a result.
“We stretched ourselves to say, ‘OK we’re going to go and be a curated offering for the entire home. We need a better space to show everything that we have on offer,’” McKimm said. “Not to mention the desire to grow our business and to move from a local boutique—exclusive boutique—to something that is really on the map. And eventually, our goal is to become a national, emotional brand.”