Wallsauce looks to grow B2B customer base with increased trade focus

Wallsauce, the Lancashire e-commerce business which specialises in custom printed wall murals, has announced plans to bolster its share of the B2B market with an increased focus on trade customers.

The Great Harwood-based company is set to develop closer ties with large corporate customers, as well as start offering trade accounts to interior designers, decorators, architects and fit-out companies.

In addition, Wallsauce intends to offer fulfilment services to designers with their own collections, and make some of its licensed designs available through retail outlets for the first time.

Established in 2013, Wallsauce has been at the forefront of the wallpaper mural market for over a decade.

After early image rights deals with Warner Bros. and the Bridgeman Fine Art Library, it has steadily grown its licensing agreements to include over 100 independent artists.

Having been regularly featured in lifestyle magazines, newspapers, and on TV makeover shows, Wallsauce has supplied custom-made wallcoverings to tens of thousands of domestic customers via its quick and easy online store, www.wallsauce.com.

As well as featuring hundreds of designs and images, the site also provides a facility which allows customers to upload their own artwork and turn it into a bespoke mural.

Further, from major household brand names to independent SMEs, Wallsauce has a significant commercial client base spanning a range of sectors including leisure, retail and hospitality. Its products can also be found in hospitals, dentists and care homes, as well as schools, colleges and industrial settings such as factories, warehouses and marine.

Andrew Gerraty, director and co-founder, said: “Expanding our offer and diversification is key for us over the next two years. Having always enjoyed amazing feedback regarding the speed and quality of our products from business customers, it makes total sense to focus on this part of our company to drive growth.

“Through our in-house team, we aim to provide more added-value services to our B2B clients. This includes intermediaries like interior designers, decorators, architects and fit-out companies who often have multiple requirements across many different projects.”

Throughout Wallsauce’s history, the company has had support from Rosebud Finance at crucial times in its growth journey.

In 2016, the company secured a £250,000 Rosebud loan which allowed the business to employ new software developers and expand its marketing function: enhancing both its online capabilities and artwork production systems in the process.

Rosebud enables Lancashire’s most ambitious businesses to grow.

Its vision is to see Lancashire businesses and people fulfil their potential, driving the growth of Lancashire’s economy.

Rosebud offers a range of financial and growth support services. This includes hands-on support, expert guidance and tailor-made finance packages or co-investment opportunities for companies across Lancashire from a diverse range of sectors and industries, who are looking to grow and scale.

More recently in 2022, after several years of outsourcing its printing, Wallsauce made the decision to develop its own production facility. This was enabled by a second Rosebud loan of £300,000 which supported the relocation of the business from Ribble Valley to Great Harwood, and the setting up of an in-house print and distribution centre.

Andrew Gerraty, said: “As an SME looking for funding, we found the lending and investment industry was geared up to lend either a few thousand pounds or a million plus. There appeared very few accessible and affordable options to raise £250k to £300k, which is where Rosebud came in.

“Having liked our technology, market potential, and our ambition to grow, Rosebud have now provided funding at two pivotal points in our development. The impact of their support, which continues to this day, cannot be underestimated.”

Martin Emmott, Rosebud’s fund manager, said: “Since the very beginning, Wallsauce have been pioneers in their sector. From doing exclusive deals with Hollywood studios and the creation of a successful customised mural e-commerce platform, to offering customers a personal one-off design service, they have always looked to be one step ahead of the competition. We’re proud to have played a role in their success, and we look forward to supporting Andy and his team as they look to expand the B2B and corporate side of the business.”     

Coun Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development & growth at Lancashire County Council, said: “Being able to help an innovative and entrepreneurial company like Wallsauce is what LCC programmes like Rosebud are designed to do.

"The fact a Rosebud loan was instrumental in Wallsauce bringing their production in-house, creating and projecting local  jobs in the process, also demonstrates the value a Rosebud investment can bring to the wider economy.”