Why many small businesses stay online
A lot of small businesses are quietly choosing to stay online these days. Not because they don’t want the people or community, but because the reality of running a physical shop has become almost impossible for many independent makers. We are one of them. Pastos & Co began online and it has grown in a way that feels natural and steady, which suits the way we work and the kind of furniture we want to make.
The idea of a physical shop is always tempting. We often daydream about a small place in Brighton where people can walk in (with their dogs preferably), touch the wood, see a couple of our desks in real life and have a chat. It is a lovely dream. Then the practical side hits. Rent in Brighton is extremely high. Business rates are even higher. Utilities, insurance and council tax keep climbing. Staffing a shop would also increase the ongoing costs. The costs stack up very quickly and most of them are completely out of our control.
Why staying online makes sense for us
For a small workshop that makes everything to order, those costs would drive our prices up and limit the freedom we have to work in the calm, focused way that good furniture demands. Staying online keeps our overheads low, which means we can keep our prices honest and still ensure we pay everyone involved from our supply chain and our team fairly. Ethical materials cost more. Fair wages cost more. Paying our suppliers properly costs more. These are the places where we choose to dedicate our resources because this is what keeps a small business sustainable and worth running in the long term.
Being online does not mean we hide behind a screen. It means we structure our business in a way that keeps us afloat. It means we can stay focused on building furniture instead of managing rent negotiations or rising council charges. It means we can help customers all over the world choose the right size, layout and finish for their home or workspace without needing to produce stock that may never be sold. It means nothing is wasted. Every desk, table and shelf is made for someone, which keeps us sustainable and keeps the workshop calm.
If you are planning a custom piece or fitting out a workspace and want advice on measurements, layouts or materials, get in touch with us here and we will guide you through it.
The reality for independent retail
Many small businesses don’t get the chance to make those choices. A huge number close each year because the overheads of physical retail keep climbing while footfall keeps dropping. So many beautiful independent shops disappear because the numbers simply don’t add up anymore. Meanwhile more and more customers shop online for convenience, for custom options and for the ability to compare designs properly before buying. The world has shifted whether we like it or not. Holding on to a traditional retail model only works if you have corporate scale or deep pockets to absorb the losses.
Looking ahead
None of this means we are against having a physical shop. Far from it. We would love a small space one day. Something modest and meaningful. A couple of pieces on display. Someone there to offer guidance in person. A coffee machine. Maybe a little corner for woodworking workshops or design consultations. A place with personality. A place that brings people together. Not just a showroom but a warm and useful space for anyone who wants to learn more about what we make.
The problem is not the idea of a shop. The problem is the current climate. Landlords keep pushing rent higher. Councils keep raising business rates. Utilities and insurance rise every year. It creates a situation where only large brands can afford the physical high street while the independents who bring culture and personality to a city are slowly pushed out. We would jump at the opportunity of a physical shop if the environment became sustainable again for small businesses. We are not waiting for perfection, but we do need the numbers to make sense.
For now, staying online keeps us grounded and honest. It lets us focus on craftsmanship, on fair wages, on sustainable materials and on making furniture that fits the home it is being made for. It also means we can take on projects such as shop fit outs, boutique cafés, small office setups and any space that needs something made to measure.
If you are opening a shop or setting up a new office and want custom shelves, storage or a workspace designed around your needs, get in touch with us here and we will help you plan it.
