A recent article on Minutehack.com, which features business-focused stories for entrepreneurs and executives, highlighted the British tea company the English Tea Shop. The independent 7-year-old company, it reports, is “riding a wave of demand for high-quality, organic food and drink” with its range of more than 130 varieties of teas and tisanes produced at its ethically forward-looking Sri Lanka factory.
The company, which prides itself on its “Love, Care, & Change” ethos, works only with organic and Fairtrade farmers, blenders, and producers. It embraces small farming and sustainable practices, paying its farmers more than the fair trade price to secure their commitment to organic and sustainable methods as well as providing a variety of different training courses “to elevate the lives of” its employees.
“The core of our story is the small farmer who lovingly grows our organic teas and ingredients and our 400 employees who process the products,” said English Tea Shop CEO Suranga Herath.
Headquartered in the U.K., the English Tea Shop sells its products retail and wholesale, supplying to 50 countries worldwide, as well as direct to consumers on Amazon.co.uk. Products include standard black, green, and white varieties plus a wide range of specialized flavors such as Chocolate Rooibos & Vanilla, Green Tea Pomegranate, Ginger Peach Tea, Super Berries, and Japanese Green Sencha. A range of “organic super teas” includes Honeybush Acai Berry Punch, Apple Rosehip Raspberry Ripple, and White Tea Blueberry & Elderflower; and its Wellness Tea Collection includes blends to energize, refresh, detox, and more. Products are offered as loose leaf, tea pyramids, and sachet tea bags.
By focusing on the organic tea market and with the company’s sustainable practices, Herath said the company has “a clear and achievable ambition of being the best organic tea brand in the world.”
He anticipates a 25% increase in its £22 million turnover this year, and aims to be in 80 markets worldwide by 2021. “It’s a very exciting time for the business,” he said.
“Our customer base has evolved showing our ability to keep up with trends in the market. Not only are we selling to the likes of Harrods and Selfridges but we are also tapping into an increasingly health-conscious consumer base which is looking at provenance more than ever,” said Herath, who touts clear focus, respect for all parts of the supply chain, and being open to the concerns of its customers as paramount to the company’s success.
Sources: Minutehack.com, English Tea Shop
Headquartered in the U.K., the English Tea Shop sells its products retail and wholesale, supplying to 50 countries worldwide, as well as direct to consumers on Amazon.co.uk. Products include standard black, green, and white varieties plus a wide range of specialized flavors such as Chocolate Rooibos & Vanilla, Green Tea Pomegranate, Ginger Peach Tea, Super Berries, and Japanese Green Sencha. A range of “organic super teas” includes Honeybush Acai Berry Punch, Apple Rosehip Raspberry Ripple, and White Tea Blueberry & Elderflower; and its Wellness Tea Collection includes blends to energize, refresh, detox, and more. Products are offered as loose leaf, tea pyramids, and sachet tea bags.
By focusing on the organic tea market and with the company’s sustainable practices, Herath said the company has “a clear and achievable ambition of being the best organic tea brand in the world.”
He anticipates a 25% increase in its £22 million turnover this year, and aims to be in 80 markets worldwide by 2021. “It’s a very exciting time for the business,” he said.
“Our customer base has evolved showing our ability to keep up with trends in the market. Not only are we selling to the likes of Harrods and Selfridges but we are also tapping into an increasingly health-conscious consumer base which is looking at provenance more than ever,” said Herath, who touts clear focus, respect for all parts of the supply chain, and being open to the concerns of its customers as paramount to the company’s success.
Sources: Minutehack.com, English Tea Shop