A retail technology company is planning continued international expansion alongside creating new jobs in its native North East after exceeding expectations in its first year of business.
Shoptimised, which provides product feed optimisation platforms and price comparison software, has won clients in 15 countries around the world since its launch in February 2018.
The business, based in South Shields, is one of only a handful of similar ventures worldwide, and has built up a loyal and rapidly-growing following of major e-commerce retailers – including fellow North East business END Clothing, which generated over £70m in overseas sales last year – and digital marketing agencies through its creation of a platform designed for pay per click (PPC) professionals by tech experts with an unrivalled knowledge of the field.
On the back of its first-year success – which has seen targets beaten by over 30 per cent – Shoptimised is now looking at the next stage of expansion, which will see it add a number of new roles to its operation as it bids to keep pace with its growth.
Further international expansion, including developing a foothold in the United States, is also an ambition for Shoptimised – based in South Shields’ thriving One Trinity Green development – as it goes into year two.
John Cave, co-founder of Shoptimised – who previously launched successful PPC business Biddible – said: “The vision for the business has always been to make feed optimisation simple and accessible, and we wanted to create the software to make that possible. It was a case of scratching our own itch – we knew what we wanted to do, but the platform that was exactly what we wanted wasn’t available, so we built it ourselves.
“We have built up a decent footprint in the UK and are in countries around the world, and we have organically gained a number one ranking on Google for product feed optimisation. Since we launched our growth hasn’t slowed, and we have ended our first year 32 per cent ahead of our business plan.
“We expect these levels of growth to continue and we will be creating jobs and expanding our presence in South Tyneside as this expansion goes on.”
Shoptimised is being supported with its legal requirements by law firm Sintons, with Lucy Carlin, one of the North East’s leading specialist tech lawyers, acting for John and his team.
Lucy, senior associate at Sintons, said: “Through using his knowledge of the rapidly-developing PPC market, John and his co-founder John Oram came up with the idea for Shoptimised and even developed software in-house to ensure the business offers exactly what is required to retailers and e-marketers alike.
“The fact Shoptimised’s platforms are being embraced by major names internationally within its first 12 months of business is testament to the innovation and hard work of the team, and its growth looks set to continue apace as it continues to win new work around the world. We are very pleased to work with John and his team to support them with their ongoing expansion.”
Cllr John Anglin, Lead Member for Regeneration and Economy at South Tyneside Council, which runs One Trinity Green, said: “I met John and his team a year ago, just as Shoptimised was being launched. Its success and rate of expansion is tremendous and it’s great news that this is creating job opportunities in South Tyneside.
“ICT and digital is one of our priority sectors and this company is just one example of the talent and digital innovation we have here in the borough.
“We have been working hard to position One Trinity Green as the location of choice for digital and tech companies and those efforts are paying off as it is developing into a vibrant community.
“We’re getting more and more businesses with growth aspirations choosing One Trinity Green as their premises because we provide the ideal environment and support to allow them to scale their operation.”
