Press About Us
Back to Press CentreSo you want to get to know us better
Dim the lights down low, get the fire roaring, snuggle up and let's get to know each other a little better shall we? Well for starters our favorite color is Orange; we're a Leo; we're an average age of 33, we're young at heart and we'd like to think we're quite a handsome bunch! Well, our moms say so and that's the main thing. Want to hear more? Then why not check out our quirky stats - think of it as a vital statistics look at who we are or perhaps take a look at the pundits we've acquired. Not that we're boasting. Yeah, ok we are.
Quirky Stats
| Some Quick Facts | ||
| 1998 | 2008 | |
| Number of employees | 2 | 53 |
| Number of product lines | 2 | Over 1400 |
| Turnover | £20k | £12million |
| Furthest place we have sent an order to | Edinburgh | Tiera del Fuego |
| No. of orders | <1000 | 326,695 |
| Number of games consoles owned collectively | 1 | 164 |
| Bikes owned by Tom | 1 | 4 |
| Countries we ship to | 1 | 147 |
| Best selling product | Shot Glass Chess Set | Pico Z helicopter |
| Weirdest product | Oxygen O-Pur | Weasel Coffee |
| Average staff age | 23 | 33 |
| Favourite Colour | Orange | Still Orange |
| % of Male/Female customers | 90% Male / 10% Female | 55% Male / 45% Female |
| Some Quick Stats | ||
| 2008 | ||
| Page Impressions | 47.5m | |
| Unique Visits | 8.3m | |
| Print Mailings | 7m | |
| Fortnightly Newsletter Subscriber Base | 610k | |
| Conversion Rates | 3.9% | |
Some things you didn't know about Firebox.com
- Firebox.com used to be called Hotbox.co.uk - many of our customers would stumble across the US Hotbox.com by accident, let's just say they weren't getting gadgets from that site.
- Firebox has shipped to 147 countries around the world, and even has customers in remote areas such as Tierra del Fuego - the southern most city on the planet!
- Matt Shone, our Stock Controller, is also a British Athlete and has represented Wales and Great Britain as a middle distance runner many times. He has also been known to hand deliver orders during his lunch time practice run.
- Firebox once featured in a Hidden Camera TV Game Show called The Sack Race where two comediennes were challenged to work as a real office worker with the aim of being fired by 3pm. Our very own Customer Service Manager was the first in the series.
Our story
Firebox.com began life in early 1998 as hotbox.co.uk, an internet retailer founded by university friends Michael Smith and Tom Boardman. Operating out of Cardiff, the company saw rapid initial growth due to the huge success of Michael and Tom's (since much-imitated) invention, the Shot Glass Chess Set. In the Summer of 1999 the company moved to London and relaunched as Firebox.com. In 2002 the company opened its first combined Head Office and Distribution Centre located in South London.
More...
Michael Acton Smith, Co-Founder and CEO
Email
Michael is not only our CEO and co-founder but he's also a serial entrepreneur with a second successful company called Mind Candy Design, and a new start up networking evening called Second Chance Tuesday. Interested in finding out more about Mr Smith? For instance did you know he once featured in Company Magazines Bachelor of the Year? Or that his first venture was a school gambling ring? Then drop us an email. Michael is available for speaker and appearance opportunities, profile features and commentary on the Internet and retail industry.
Awards Won
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Winner - Best Retailer 2007 |
Winner - Small Business 2006 |
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50 Best E-boutiqes |
Finalist - CIPR Awards 2006 |
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eSuperbrand 2006 |
#1 Most Visited Gift Retailer (UK), October-December 2005 |
If you need help with anything, please contact us.
- If you see a better photo of a dog in an eye patch, with a snaggletooth, this weekend, then prove it. http://t.co/ilErsMX1
Yesterday at 12:20pm - DICK PUNCH! Funny regardless of species. http://t.co/SR9vKpfP
Fri 1st Jun at 10:25am - Is your street party missing a VIP? Choose an express service to get your Queen cardboard cut-out for the weekend! http://t.co/s97HuP4U
Thu 31st May at 12:07pm - Ah the cycle of life.. http://t.co/vSfSGfxl
Wed 30th May at 10:55am - We're nominated for a T3 Award. It's not the taking part that counts - help us win please! http://t.co/a2OFSAd6
Tue 29th May at 3:39pm
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