John Lewis & StartUp Britain plan PitchUp events

Beecycle’s Managing Director Kenneth Cheung said: “The pitch itself went well and the feedback the John Lewis panel provided was priceless. They seemed to like my product, which I was chuffed by. They also gave me some really useful guidance relating to my packaging, which I’ll be addressing straight-away.

“I look forward to working more closely with a John Lewis buyer when I return for my one hour mentoring session. I was so pleased to make it to this stage of the competition. I had bundles of nervous energy on the day but fortunately it was much more relaxed than I expected.”

Other brands that excited the panel included Love Me Sew, a Leeds-based craft business with community credentials. Founders and old friends Emily Carlill and mum to two-week-old Toby, Sam Lowe, made an ‘excellent, very professional pitch’ and will be hooking up with the store’s haberdashery buyer.

Sir Plus was also cited as a promising line for the retailer, the owner, Henry Hales’ brand of boxer shorts, waistcoats, T-shirts and knits are made using tasteful factory off-cuts that would otherwise be wasted and proved a hit.

Anna added: “Henry had a a very engaging pitch. The mentoring from our fashion team will help him to develop his brand and his product portfolio for the long-term.”

The buying team observed that buyers in early prototype stage should give consideration to whether they will be looking to manufacture their product themselves, or sell the license for their inventions ahead of any pitching to buyers. Judging the right time to pitch in the development process is also critical. On the day , the panel found a couple of the concepts too far off from production.

Full details of individual collaborations will emerge once each brand has had its session with category expert John Lewis buyers.

John Lewis