Member Article

Digital cake serves up a slice of etail for Birmingham Museums Trust

Birmingham Museums Trust has launched its brand-new online shop, brought to life by fellow Birmingham-based Shopify experts, Digital Cake. The new online shop celebrates the best of Brum with a unique range of products created by the very best local independent makers of today alongside gifts inspired by Birmingham’s remarkable past.

With online sales reported to have increased by 46% last year, it’s no surprise to see businesses across the UK launch online stores for the very first time. In a bid to sustain the years of culture and heritage created by the Trust, Digital Cake was instructed to build a platform that supported its vast inventory of products from independent Birmingham-makers and made the online experience seamless for the museum’s customers.

Since the launch in March, the new online gift shop has already seen a 122% increase in website sessions in comparison to last year. Boasting developed SEO and CRM strategies, the new site not only looks good but also operates to its full capabilities, making it accessible for all, and easier than ever to purchase products from the world-class museum collections.

Alex Nicholson-Evans, Commercial Director at Birmingham Museums Trust, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled with our new online shop. We now have a site we can be proud of and one that really showcases the best of Birmingham!

“Our museums have remained closed for much of the past year due to the pandemic and as a result we have had to reposition and diversify our income streams. This new and improved online shop is part of that strategy. We hope our customers will enjoy discovering different local makers and plenty of exclusive products inspired by the world-renown collections here at Birmingham Museums.”

Based in the JQ, just a stone’s throw from Birmingham Museums Trust’s Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, Digital Cake is no stranger to helping the city’s brands to stand out online. With a passion for helping Birmingham thrive, the team has supported a range of West Midlands businesses – including the likes of P&Co., 304 Clothing, and Dancing Leopard – paving a path for the booming online retail scene.

Speaking about the Birmingham Museums Trust collaboration, Marketing Director at Digital Cake Kirstie Smith commented:

“It’s been fantastic to work with the team at Birmingham Museums Trust on this project as it is such an institution and an asset that we are so proud to have in the city. The last year has thrown huge and unpredictable challenges at the arts and culture sector in particular, so to be able to help support the Trust in its COVID-recovery and longevity planning has been really fulfilling for the Digital Cake team.

“We’re tremendously proud of the Birmingham Museums Trust online shop, as it has enabled the team to showcase its products online, and in turn, make them accessible to all. Though it has been a difficult time with the closure of retail stores, this step-change for the Trust has offered them a brand-new market in the e-commerce world. I know I speak on behalf of the entire Digital Cake team when I say that it has been a pleasure and we look forward to supporting the Trust in its future endeavours!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Jodie .