Economy
Teen knitting trend revives family-run wool shop in rural Wales
What happened
A family-owned wool shop in rural Wales has seen a surge in business after a wave of young people took up knitting during the pandemic. The shop, which has traded for over 40 years, now reports a 50% increase in sales of wool and knitting supplies compared to pre-2020 levels.
Key facts
bullet: Sales of wool and knitting supplies increased by 50% in 2023 compared to 2019.
bullet: The shop now sells 30% more yarn to customers under the age of 25 than it did in 2019.
bullet: Online orders from outside Wales account for 20% of total sales, up from 5% in 2019.
bullet: The shop employs 4 part-time staff, all local residents.
bullet: A viral TikTok trend featuring knitting tutorials in 2021 is credited with sparking renewed interest.
Context
bullet: The shop, Wool & Thread, is located in the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll on the island of Anglesey, Wales. bullet: Established in 1982, it has been run by three generations of the same family. bullet: Knitting was traditionally a hobby for older generations, but interest surged among young people during the COVID-19 lockdowns. bullet: The shop sells locally sourced wool, handmade yarns, and knitting patterns.