Can you believe Organic Lifestyle has been operational for 10 years already? Right from the beginning, one of our primary manufacturers was an Ontario based company – we worked with them to manufacture Organic Lifestyle’s own Made in Canada pillows, toppers, mattresses, comforters and mattress pads.
Like our customers, we’ve been proud to support Canadian businesses despite high quality equivalent products in the global marketplace.
However, looks like the manufacturer is changing direction and opting instead to produce only their premium line. They will sell only to brick & mortar stores (not online stores like Organic Lifestyle), citing their old product line is “not competitive anymore. Today’s customers are looking for comfort, customization and luxury.”
Not sure we agree.
Organic Lifestyle opted to carry high quality “affordable” range of organic products to increase chances of organic products becoming part of our customer’s lifestyle, not simply for the sake of luxury. As is it, Organic Lifestyle has to bridge and justify the cost of a $100+ organic pillow versus $20 for a non-organic pillow at a department store!
Regardless, thank you to the manufacturer for their support over the years. You truly were a pioneer in the Organic space. We wish you all the best.
The direction of the factory is a big blow to us and feel it will decimate alot of the smaller businesses in this space. Is this a part of a general trend of declining organic businesses based in Canada? Toronto based retailer Grassroots store shut their doors after 20 years last year and we’ve had several Canada based mom-preneurs who have opted to shutdown their business citing that they aren’t making enough to justify continuation.
So that’s the bad news.
How can you, the organic advocate, help?
Organic products for the home is a niche business. On average, 10 people a month search for keyword ‘organic pillow’ on Google Canada.
Worse yet, the average consumer doesn’t even know, let alone, why they should consider an organic pillow [Here’s why]
So aside from purchasing products, the #1 thing we’d ask is that you help spread the word. Found a good product or company you like? Don’t be shy, please boast about it.
Similarly, if you found a product or company you love, tell us about it. we’ll looking into it
The Good news
We’ve identified new manufacturers and in the process of introducing their product line soon. Stay tuned
More good news…
We’d like to move existing stock / possibly place one big final order with the factory so that you have your favourite items in time for the upcoming Holiday season (its less than 96 sleeps away!!)
Please enter Coupon ‘madeincanada’ to take 10% off by Wed Sept 28th 2016 and receive FREE Shipping on orders over $75.
Last but not least, here’s what was popular last week on Organic Lifestyle’s Fan page
Again, don’t be shy. Please share this with friends and family who might be interested.
Dihan Chandra
Proud-Owner, Organic Lifestyle
5 Responses to “Last days of Made in Canada organic businesses?”
Hi Nat
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to respond. You made some very valid points and you’re right, we definitely could be more creative in engaging our customers wherever they are.
Could you send me examples of any relevant companies that are more current to get a better idea?
Feedback such as yours is much appreciated.
Dihan
I wanted to offer you some advise or criticism of your most recent post.
While I understand it can be difficult to lose a supplier, the fact remains that your business is out of date. That is why Your website uses poor imagery, your facebook only has 1400 followers. You are not instagram which is where young, modern and “hippie” style families are.
Your product lines are boring and outdated.
If you want to stay in business and build your clients you must remain current. Grassroots had a similar problem – they did not move forward with the times and clients. I know several small organic businesses with similar focuses that are doing well and succeeding! They are up to date with trends, content and information. They stay current and in the know.
It’s not beneficial to blame the industry, companies or people in the community. Don’t think that people don’t care about organics. They do! You just have to find creative to reach them. When things fail it not because people are not interested, it is because you are neglecting to find ways to reach them and educate them.
Let’s take a look at your pillow example. I think this was a poor example to express your point. Perhaps people are not searching for organic pillow but many more people search organic mattresses. If you focus on selling organic mattresses, naturally those people will want to buy an organic pillow. Why would someone search for an organic pillow? Most people wouldn’t. They would look for a mattress and then buy their pillow when they purchase their mattress (making it less likely to purchase a pillow on its own).
You are also not acknowledging the challenges that come with selling organic mattresses online. Mattresses is one area of products where people prefer shopping in person. Having only an online presence makes it difficult to address issues of customization or comfort as the manufacturer mentions.
How about finding ways to move forward and build your business. Find ways to connect with your community. Just because stores close down doesn’t mean that there is no market for those businesses. It means that the owners could have been doing a poor job of finding ways to meet and connect with their community. It could mean they have become stale in the market. They aren’t changing and growing as a business.
I don’t find these types of complaints to your subscribers are being useful or helpful. I find them to be whiny, immature and not solution based. Instead of focusing on writing an email about how challenging the market, divert your efforts to improving your situation in the market. Complain to your partner or best fried – not to your customers, clients and followers.
Anyways, I hope you take this information seriously and reconsider the way you move forward with your company.
It’s been quite some time since we’ve been in touch. I read your blog and wanted to pass along a BC manufacturer. Crescent Moon Duvet & Pillow Co. Julie makes high quality organic Alpaca Wool bedding. We’ve been retailing her lovely products for about a decade now. You can view her products at http://www.crescentmoonduvets.com.
On another note, we are celebrating 20 years in business this year! We changed our name from Hankettes to Eco-Freako about 3 years ago, and just last year opened a brick and mortar shop in the village of Roberts Creek. Happily, we’ve been very well received!
Hi, Dihan and Organic Lifestyle. So sorry to hear about your struggle. My heart goes out to you as I am a fellow small business in Washington state.
Over the last 8 years manufacturers went out of business, changed their line or informed me they don’t sell wholesale anymore after I invested in carrying their brands. Each time I feel like curling up and crying (occasionally doing so).
And then I get up and keep going just in spite, I guess.
I figured by now the market will just explode with customers demanding organics. While it is growing, there are more big brands offering section of their line to be organic and I can’t compete with them.
If I had funds I’d buy out your inventory but am pretty poor for now. I am so desperate that I am trying to manufacture my own small line of undies, will see if that works.
However you will continue, wish you all the best. If there is any co-operating with us you’d like to do, let me know.
I still think the trend can only keep growing.
Wow I didn’t know grassroots closed! I was sad when their annex location went as we loved to browse and get a few things there from time to time.
Hope the new supplier works out. Definitely using you when we need a new mattress!
Cheers
J