Local economic downturn does not necessarily mean a downturn in trade, it is sometimes just a case of locating an expanding market and having the foresight and courage to move into it.

That is exactly what local businessman Elliott Bolton has found with his business thehoodiestore.co.uk. Historically the supplier of personalized sporting and casual wear for adults, Elliott has seen recently the upturn in fashion for children as young as 3 or 4.

The new Ghoodie brand has been borne out of the change in buying habits for children and the mind set that kids now have an ever increasing personal identity. The range of available product is extensive and Elliott explains that this part of his development plan was positively forced upon him by the demand he is now seeing.

“While business for thehoodiestore.co.uk has been very steady we have seen an ever increasing demand for personalized children’s wear, whether that be just be individualized items or whole sports teams. It seems that kids nowadays are becoming more aware of themselves and their peers.

We have developed a completely new range for kids from the age of 3 years old and found through market research involving my own family that they love the new logo and design.”

Cost has always been a factor in children’s clothing as they grow up so quickly and this was taken into consideration during the development stage. Elliott goes on to add, “We realized that parents do not have the disposable income they once had and priced the range in accordance with the wear over time that the garments would receive, hopefully a pricing structure that will drive the adults back to the site time and time again.”

The range is now available at thehoodiestore.co.uk and will be seen as part of an increased awareness campaign around Preston in the coming months, not least of all as part of the Preston Guild procession in association with a local dance troupe.