Overview
Notonthehighstreet (NOTHS) is a UK online marketplace for unique gifts and products from small creative businesses. It is especially known for personalised gifts, homeware, jewellery, art and seasonal products, and is popular for occasions such as Christmas, birthdays, weddings and Mother's Day. For a small creative brand or a gift-focused business in the UK, NOTHS is one of the best-known curated marketplaces.
Who is behind Notonthehighstreet
NOTHS was founded in 2006 in London by Holly Tucker and Sophie Cornish, who started out organising craft fairs and wanted to give small businesses a year-round online shop window. The company is now owned by the US investment firm Great Hill Partners. It works with more than 5,000 small businesses, which it calls "Partners", and does not hold stock itself: Partners sell and ship their products directly to customers. Like other gift platforms, NOTHS saw strong sales during the pandemic and then a tougher market as discretionary spending tightened.
How NOTHS works
- Curated. NOTHS hand-selects each small business that sells on the platform, and not every application is accepted.
- Gift-focused. It looks for products with broad gift appeal, often personalised or made to order.
- Marketing support. NOTHS promotes Partners and their products across its website, app, social media and emails, and some take part in its advertising campaigns.
- Partner tools. Sellers manage their storefront, products and orders themselves, and have access to business insights, trend resources, webinars and a Partner community.
- Customer service standards. Partners are expected to respond quickly to customer messages and follow NOTHS's returns policy.
What it costs
NOTHS publishes its fees for new Partners: a one-off joining fee of GBP 199 plus VAT, and a commission of 25% plus VAT on all sales. Partners can also pay for extra promotional opportunities, such as featured placements.
What a brand needs
- Original, giftable products that fit NOTHS's curated style.
- Strong photography and storytelling about the maker or brand.
- Pricing that covers the 25% commission and UK delivery.
- Capacity for seasonal peaks, especially Christmas.
- UK product compliance for categories such as toys, candles and cosmetics.
Why NOTHS matters for brands
NOTHS gives small creative brands access to a large audience of UK gift shoppers and marketing they could not afford alone. Its higher commission reflects the curation and promotion it provides.
How eBrands looks at Notonthehighstreet
eBrands works with brands on marketplaces and retail channels across Europe and North America. If you have a gift or lifestyle brand and want to see whether NOTHS fits your UK plans, we are happy to talk it through. See also our Etsy page.
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