Welsh e-commerce firm goes live

Zebraonline plans to corner the gifts and gadget market

A new Welsh e-commerce company which aims to have a turnover of £1.5m by the end of its first year has been launched in Cardiff.

Zebraonline.co.uk is planning to corner the online gift and gadget market from its base near Caerphilly.

The family-run online company launched at a celebrity party in Cardiff's Hilton Hotel after six months of research.

Its directors say they are building on more than 25 years of wholesaling experience to provide a new up-to-the-minute internet service for the consumer.

"We thought that Wales should be put more on the map," said Zebraonline's marketing director Sarah Springer.

Frustrated

"We know what the consumer wants and what they like," she added.

"We feel that people have been frustrated that they are not getting the service they want when ordering. And we aim to combat that."

The online company has a start-up executive staff of five, but can draw on the expertise of the forty people employed in their existing businesses and expansion is on the cards.

It has has timed its launch to take advantage of the busy run up to Christmas - traditionally the busiest time for selling gadgets and gizmos and executive toys to fill those stockings.

"We are guaranteeing customers delivery within 48 hours, and for orders over £50 delivery within the UK is free," said Ms Springer.

The company has 500 toys and gadgets in its warehouses and is continually buying new stock from America to keep ahead of customers' demands.

And its also getting the latest technology attractions for its web site, with a new animation package from the US promised soon.