// Bravissimo has secured a multi-million-pound funding package from NatWest
// The funding will help strengthen its online presence and customer service
// The retailer has faced challenges amid the Covid-19 pandemic
Bravissimo has secured a multi-million-pound funding package from NatWest in an effort to bolster its online presence and customer service.
The lingerie retailer, which has 23 stores across the UK, has used the working capital support from NatWest to support ongoing investment in warehouse operations and customer services teams.
Bravissimo said that with the funding, it aims to meet increased online demand during the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ MORE: Bravissimo promotes MD Leanne Cahill to CEO
The retailer has continued to invest in stock, pivoting to increase focus on comfort and sportswear items as its customers’ needs changed with the increased time spent at home.
“After the safety of our teams, our main priority since the beginning of the pandemic has been the long-term operation of the business and this has meant that we have had to adapt how we do things here at Bravissimo. As we moved more online, we quickly responded to increase capacity,” Bravissimo chief executive Leanne Cahill said.
“At Bravissimo, our community of big-boobed women are at the heart of every decision we make, and during these difficult times being there for our customers, despite our shops being closed, was so important to us.
“We wanted to make sure we had the right level of support in our customer service teams, who not only help customers to find bras that fit them well, but also give them advice and support them to feel amazing over the phone, email and via Live Chat on our website.
“Our bra fitters have supported thousands of women, including first-time mums looking for advice and nursing bras and other customers finding the right sports bra for their home workouts.
“We are now in a very strong position to grow the business over the coming years despite the huge challenges that have faced our industry over the last 12 months, NatWest have been instrumental in this.
“Thanks to our ongoing partnership with our NatWest relationship manager Mark Caulkin and the team, we were well prepared to access the funding we needed without delay. Mark knows our business very well and understands what is important to us, and with his help we have entered 2021 feeling confident about the year ahead.”
Separately, Bravissimo promoted Cahill from managing director to the role of chief executive in December 2020.
She replaced founder Sarah Tremellen – who started the lingerie retailer in 1995 – and will remain with the business as chair and founder.
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