Building a successful retail brand in current times is no small feat, and those who achieve it deserve a massive pat on the back.
That’s why we created the Lightning 50 – a league table to celebrate the fastest-growing e-commerce brands in the UK.
The esteemed awards recognize the dedication, innovation and inspiration behind the brands that are successfully navigating the challenges of modern retail – and turning them into opportunities to succeed.
To mark the Lightning 50’s hotly anticipated return for 2025 – pre-reg is open now! – we’re taking a look back at standout winners from past years to see how they’ve continued to thrive.
Au Vodka
Back in 2021, Swansea-based premium drinks brand Au Vodka was crowned the inaugural winner of the Lightning 50, marking the company’s remarkable net growth of more than 10,000% during the pandemic. But their success didn’t stop there.
In the fiscal year ending April 2023, Au Vodka’s sales surged to £54 million, up from £43.8 million the previous year. They have also expanded their team, growing from 34 to 50 employees.
The business, which is partly owned by DJ, producer and TV presenter Charlie Sloth, is now reportedly worth around £150m.
Candy Kittens
Candy Kittens – a gourmet vegan sweets brand founded by Jamie Laing – has previously placed at number four in Brightpearl’s Lightning 50, and has since gone from strength to strength.
In 2022, the brand marked its 10th anniversary with a BrewDog collaboration that resulted in a Raspberry & Guava vodka and a special edition beer.
The brand continues to innovate with new product launches, keeping its spot as a leader in the confectionery space while appealing to a growing audience of conscious consumers.
Cyberjammies
Comfort meets quality with Cyberjammies, a top 10 Lightning 50 brand known for its stylish loungewear.
Since earning its spot in the Lightning 50 top 10, Cyberjammies has more than tripled its revenue, with a 372% year-on-year growth in 2021 alone.
By expanding their product range and improving online shopping experience, the East Anglian-based nightwear brand, which runs its operations using Brightpearl, has successfully built a loyal following and is set for further growth in coming years.
Goose & Gander
Goose & Gander is a UK-based unisex clothing brand known for its creative and sustainable designs.
After placing well in the Lightning 50, this brand has continued to thrive, becoming a favorite among Gen Z thanks to their affordable collections and limited-edition drops.
Website sales have surged by 123% in recent years and the brand continues to delight its fans with new collections and collaborations.
Pinter
Innovative home brewing brand Pinter scooped the top spot on the Lightning 50 back in 2022.
Since then, the brand has achieved staggering success across new markets, solidifying its position as a leader in the home brewing industry.
The company has now amassed a community of 60,000 home brewers and sold the equivalent of 3,000,000 million pints. Sales have grown to £6 million and Champions League final day in May this year was the busiest in its history with a 700% uplift in orders.
Pinter was also named a TIME Magazine invention of the year and recently won five golds at the World Beer Awards. Cheers to that!
Have you got what it takes?
The Lightning 50 is more than just an accolade. It’s a launchpad for growth – as the brands featured here have proven.
Taking part is a chance to show off your hard work and share your brand’s story. Don’t miss it!
