Big turnover lift at Just Bras

LITTLE OR LARGE: Jacqui Lowe-Jackson's business is booming

Turnover at Just Bras has quadrupled in the past year and the figure is expected to double again by spring 2008.

Just Bras, created by husband and wife team Richard and Jacqui Lowe-Jackson, specialises in selling very small and very large bras, and so-called shapewear. Product lines range from a petite 28AA to a formidable size 4

The business was inspired by the plight of their daughter-in-law, and an accidental purchase at a local auction.

Jacqui explained: "Two years ago, we sold a flat in South Africa and decided we'd use the cash for a career break. We started going to auctions and bought all sorts. Eventually I ended up buying some lingerie. Six boxes of it."

"I was talking to my daughter-in-law about what we could do with it, and she told me she was a 34GG bra size and that it was costing her £50 to buy a bra.

"That meant she only had one decent bra at a time. So, we looked into it and decided we could make a profit selling specialist-sized bras at a lower cost, especially if we did it online."

Today, Just Bras sells 6,000 bras a year through its website. Turnover has risen from £20,000 in 2005 to £80,000 in 2006. And turnover for this year is set to exceed £150,000.

The business, started in a bedroom, has now outgrown the house. And last month, Just Bras moved into a new 1,000 sq ft home in Rochdale.

Just Bras has also launched a party plan service, providing starter kits of 20 bras. All the party planner needs to do is fix their own prices and take orders. "The kind of products we are selling are modern and attractive - it's about dressing from the inside out, to make you look sleek and shapely," said Jacqui. But Jacqui now aims is to be less dependent on the website.

"Online has worked for us - but can cost 30 per cent of turnover and we want to find cleverer ways of doing business."