Something Different Wholesale

Milestones

January 2017 - A six-figure loan from our Wales Business Fund helped the business to expand their premises and stock.

May 2020 - The company received support from our Covid-19 Wales Business Loan Scheme to navigate the challenges of the pandemic.

June 2023  - The business got a £1.2m loan through our Green Business Loan Scheme to fit solar panels at their warehouse. 

Business overview

Established in 1999, Something Different Wholesale Ltd is one of the UK’s leading giftware suppliers and launched one of the first B2B websites on the internet.

As a B2B company, they design, develop and distribute giftware to retailers worldwide from their warehouse in Swansea.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the increase in consumer online buying saw unprecedented growth for the business, with sales reaching £12.5m at the end of the 2020/21 financial year.

Founder

Jane Wallace-Jones, CEO - Before launching Something Different Wholesale Ltd, Jane began her journey in giftware by opening several market stalls across south Wales.

Business purpose

From design, right through to distribution, Something Different provides gifts, accessories, decorative items and homewares to retailers around the world.

Their USP is having no minimum order requirement, allowing businesses to trial products.

Their creative team designs the products, and their buyers work closely with the company’s trusted supply chain to provide unique products at the most competitive prices.

Today, they’re recognised as one of the largest giftware importers in the UK, stocking over 3,000 products and supplying over 25,000 customers worldwide.

Funding

• Date of most recent funding round: March 2023
• Size: £1.2 million
• The fund: Green Business Loan Scheme

Something Different were one of the first businesses to benefit from the Green Business Loan Scheme, which helps businesses in Wales reduce their carbon footprint. We’re supporting the Welsh Government’s aim to become net zero by 2050.

Something Different is using the investment to install 2,200 solar panels on its 158,000 square foot warehouses at the Enterprise Park on Upper Fforest Way, Swansea. 

The new solar energy systems will help them cut their energy bills while meeting increasing demand more sustainably while selling surplus energy back to the market. 

The installation of the new panels follows a green upgrade of the company’s lighting in 2021. Business Wales are continuing work with Something Different to further their commitment to sustainable initiatives with a Carbon Reduction Program.

What people are saying

We’re delighted to be leading the way towards a sustainable future for Wales. We’re committed to supporting the social, economic, and environmental wellbeing of our community.

The support from the Development Bank allows us to achieve our first milestone on the journey as we continuously look for ways to build a greener future.

Jane Wallace-Jones, Chief Executive, Something Different

We’re delighted to support Something Different Wholesale in executing a substantial sustainability energy project with the assistance of our Green Business Loan Scheme.

This is the latest in a series of investments we have made into Something Different, and we are very pleased to see their international gift wholesale business flourish. We’ll continue to support them on their growth journey with an environmental responsibility.

Giles Thorley, Chief Executive, Development Bank of Wales

I‘m delighted to see this home-grown business get the support it needs from the Welsh Government and the Development Bank of Wales, to innovate and adapt to the climate emergency.

Tackling climate change is a priority for the Welsh Government. That is why we have set ambitious plans for Wales to become net zero by 2050.

Businesses like Something Different are a crucial part of our net zero ambition, so we are proud to work with the Development Bank in supporting Welsh businesses on their decarbonisation journey.

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething