A Masterclass in E-commerce with Richard Longhurst: From Building a £1BN Sex Toy Empire to Teeing Off All Over Again with Golf Gadgets

Retales: E-Commerce Growth Stories

Aug 3 2023 • 39 mins

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride into the world of e-commerce, as we sit down with the co-founder of Lovehoney, Richard Longhurst.

In a gripping and enlightening conversation, Richard unravels the story of building the world's largest sex toy retailer, and the origin of a new golf accessory innovation, the Pocket Timer. Hear first-hand how Lovehoney rose to prominence - and a £1BN sale - through superior customer service, savvy SEO strategies, and big, often eye-catching, ideas.

We then switch gears to discuss the hurdles Lovehoney faced due to adult content restrictions on social media. Richard shares insights into how they creatively navigated these challenges, keeping the press interested and their brand on the front lines. He also provides an interesting take on the risks of chat GPT for content production, and the blurry lines between journalists, bloggers, and influencers.

We cap off our chat with a deep dive into the evolution of e-commerce and the challenges Lovehoney encountered along the way. Richard candidly shares their biggest wins as well as the hard-earned lessons. And to top it all off, Richard gives us a sneak peek into his new golf accessories venture, shedding light on the modern-day challenges of securing clicks and eyeballs in the e-commerce landscape. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the world of e-commerce, from sex toys to golf gadgets!

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