January 2025 Newsletter ~ 2024 by the numbers
Posted by katie leary sebastian on
As we stumble into a new year, I'm trying to stay focused and centered on ixöq and reflect on all that we accomplished together in 2024. Every purchase, every share of an email or on social, & every conversation about ixöq has contributed to something bigger—supporting artisans, preserving tradition, and making sustainable choices that matter. From creating beautiful spaces to building lasting connections, 2024 was a year full of milestones.
Since at heart I'm a numbers gal, below are some 2024 insights for ixöq 'by the numbers'. Understanding and being transparent about numbers is important, so I wanted to share.
IXOQ by the numbers
Your Favorites from Last Year
In 2024, you showed so much love for our handcrafted pieces! Our round 'catch all' containers (with & without lids), cestas, and small desktop 'cups' were our top sellers, proving that style, function, and craftsmanship go hand in hand. The cups were added for the holidays after being introduced last fall & they were very popular ... truly the perfect gift! Whether for storage, decor, or a table top, these artisan-made favorites found their way into so many homes—thank you for making them part of your world!
|
|
|
|
Retail Sales Boost
Last year I set a goal to increase retail sales & it paid off! With the help of our new space in Brookland & the DowntownDC Holiday Market, we had our best retail year yet. Overall sales were up 50% from 2023 (woohoo!) with retail sales accounting for over 70% of the total (in 2023 the retail/wholesale split was closer to 50/50). 2024 was a weird year for retailers and we felt it a little with a slight drop in wholesale revenue. Hopefully we'll pull that back up in 2025!
A huge part of our sales was from pop-up markets & in particular, participating in the DowntownDC holiday market. 59% of retail sales were from markets & 58% of retail sales were in the 4th quarter (holiday time!)!
Sustainable, Efficient Shipping
Our smart packing practices made a real difference! Our cestas are light but large. They can be nested but not folded so we're always striving to find ways to fit the most we can in the boxes coming from Guatemala. By nesting our products, we can fit 6-30 items in our standard box (24"x17"x15")
In 2024 we shipped 4,200 pounds in volume & 1,941 pounds of actual weight in 90 boxes!! We pay by volume so try to reduce excess space & packaging, in turn cutting emissions, and keeping costs down. Thoughtful choices like these help us stay committed to sustainability while delivering the handcrafted pieces you love. Every little bit counts! In 2025 we aim to decrease the ratio of volume to real ship weight to make receiving products even more efficient. The introduction of our smaller cups helps because we can pack a lot of those into other items.
_______________________________
The Journey from Guatemala to You
Full transparency, shipping from Guatemala is our biggest single cost at almost 20% of total expenses & 54% of our Cost of Goods Sold. We pay an average of $220+ per box & receive 6-8 boxes per shipment!!
The more items we can ship together, the more efficient the cost per item but it's still $$$$. Every piece travels a long way to reach you, and we work hard to keep our process as efficient and sustainable as possible. This model means we cluster our orders for the artisans so we have fewer & more efficient shipments. This is also why if something is sold out the turn around time to get it is 4-6 weeks.
_______________________________
A Year of Amazing Collaborations!
Related links:
Artful Home Real Simple Libby&My J.Crew bianca & jean
_______________________________
Uplifting Artisan Communities
Over 30 artisans employed—each one earning fair wages that don’t just support their craft but uplift their families and communities.
This support goes beyond a single purchase; it helps ensure stable income, access to education, and the continuation of a centuries-old weaving tradition. When an artisan thrives, so does their family, their local economy, and the future of handcrafted design.
_______________________________
Growing our Community
If you don't follow us on instagram, please consider it. It's by far the best place to get timely updates & learn what we're up to! |
Our ixöq family grew by more than 36% this year*—thank you for being part of it! |
* measured through email subscriptions |
_______________________________
Bringing ixöq to You—One Market at a Time!
We spent 51 days at markets, (approximately 15,000 minutes!) sharing our handcrafted pieces with you in person! That’s countless conversations, connections, and moments of joy as you discovered the beauty of our artisan-made goods. We loved seeing you & thank you for stopping by, supporting our work, and making every minute worthwhile.
