After a 400% increase in sales in four years, Charlotte & Charlie just invested $2.5 million in a new fulfillment center in Quebec City to support its growth.
“Since our opening, which will last ten years next September, we have seen great growth with our store and online sales,” said Andréanne Simard, owner.
The number of employees has tripled over the years. Around 60 employees work for the medium-sized company, which specializes in the sale of accessories, toys, furniture and clothing for babies and toddlers aged 0 to 5 years.
In addition to the boutique on Rue du Marais in Quebec, the company rented various spaces to store its goods and carry out its online shipping activities. The multiplication of locations made management less efficient until Ms. Simard finally decided to centralize shipping activities.
acquisition
“It wasn’t optimal operationally. Last spring we acquired a building on rue des Tanneurs which we have renovated to offer our employees a good working environment. The whole team will be relocating in the next few days,” she added.
The entire web component will be installed in this new location. The company receives 200,000 visits per month to its website. This new workplace, designed to take on the giants of the internet, is equipped with the latest technology. “From receipt of orders to dispatch, the entire supply chain was checked from A to Z. This will change the situation because it will allow us to open the floodgates. »
outdoor market
“We have very strong demand in Ontario and Western Canada, throughout Canada. More than 40% of our sales are made outside of Quebec. We limited ourselves because we didn’t have the space,” Ms. Simard continued.
One of the reasons for this success, she says, is that the company has always invested in improving its customer service and online shopping experience. “It made sure we were ready when the pandemic started. »
“It’s hard to believe when we think back to our beginnings in a very small town on the Place de la Cité in Quebec. We never imagined in our wildest dreams that we would have such success,” concluded Ms. Simard.
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