Buying know-how pay off for Ancient Wisdom

ANCIENT Wisdom, the Sheffield-based online gift wholesaler, has announced its ninth consecutive year of growth.

The firm, which was founded in 1996, recorded a £2.5m turnover with £250,000 profit for 2009 and is anticipating a £1m turnover increase for 2010.

The like-for-like increase follows 12 months of successful trading at the firm’s new 35,000sq ft production and distribution headquarters located at Parkwood Business Park, Sheffield.

The business, which is one of the largest online wholesale giftware companies in Europe, also has offices in China, Spain and India.

David Hardy, Ancient Wisdom’s managing director, said that it was fantastic how much the company had developed over the past few years and that it had the right infrastructure to continue its growth.

“We operate in a very competitive market and so have sourced and significantly expanded our ranges in order to better compete and we now import products from all over the world – especially India and China,” he added.

Ancient Wisdom, which employs 26 staff, strives to offer esoteric gifts and unusual items that are not typical in the giftware marketplace and products include a variety of giftware including candles, crystals, incense, shop fittings, clothing and bags.

To ensure quality products Mr Hardy travels extensively and has established link with more than 30 companies in India as well as other countries such as China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Its ethical trade policy means that none of the company’s suppliers use products tested on animals, child labour or cheap labour.

Mr Hardy originally owned gift shops in Castleton and Bakewell and created Ancient Wisdom as a spin-out.