Tom Grafton (North, 2005-2010) has launched a new online fashion and lifestyle platform for students
Student High Street (www.studenthighstreet.com) is a new and exciting consumer lifestyle channel created by students for students. Tom initially had the idea to set up the company while studying at Exeter University.
“Student High Street is everything young people have always needed and the something they’ve never had,” says Brand Manager Lauren Smeets. It is described as the only place for the modern student to engage, share and shop whilst they support the UK’s top emerging entrepreneurs to launch new businesses. Among the backers of the platform are former Fat Face and Crew Clothing chairman Clive Beharrell and ex MD Guy Zitter of the Daily Mail and General Trust Mail newspapers. OCs can take advantage of an exclusive discount/promo code which gives 10% off. Please enter OC10 when viewing your shopping bag.
“A lot of young brands have a great idea and great product but fall down with elements such as the accounting or marketing, or setting up a site that makes it easy for people to buy their goods,” says Tom. “We can help these be a success with our level of expertise through our partners. I am excited about seeing these brands grow.” Beharrell added, “There is a big appetite from the brands for what we have to offer, which is not just a platform but a support service as well.”
Brands can gain access and take advice from Student High Street’s partnership programme, with the likes of Funding Xchange, Xero, KPMG Small Business Accounting, Collect+, Spring Law offering the building blocks to make sure their company becomes a successful, profitable business.
Setting itself apart from other youth shopping platforms, Student High Street has a whole editorial space dedicated to helping promote its brands and create cutting edge content for Student High Street customers found on ‘The Edit’ and across their social channels discussing important student issues such as ‘What if I don’t want to go to uUi?’. Beharrell also stated, “It’s not just a platform for sales, it’s a forum. Content plays a bit part in how millennials shop. We are bringing all aspect of a student’s world together under one roof.”
The future is bright for Student High Street with Tom making a series of senior hires to grow the business, including former River Island E-commerce Director Helen Colclough and ex Vice MD and Global Marketing Director of Fred Perry – Richard Martin.