A RISE in sales of up to 1,500 per cent helped secure the future of Dorset’s Tank Museum after its online shop was rebuilt at the height of the pandemic.

The achievement earned a national award for the museum and the Bournemouth e-commerce agency which carried out the overhaul.

JD Ecommerce and the Tank Museum took the Covid Continuity prize at the UK eCommerce Awards – beating Sainsbury’s, which had two campaigns entered in the same category.

Jamie Derrick, managing director of JD Ecommerce, said: “To come up against one of the biggest businesses in the UK in a national award and be judged to have created a more robust and effective response to the pandemic is phenomenal.

“But even more than that we’re proud to have made such a huge difference for our client and partner the Tank Museum, providing them with a website that not only supported the continuity of their income, but gave it a hefty boost; as a direct result of the rise in revenue they were able to secure the jobs of 20 staff, and actually create another four roles, all during a global pandemic.

“It is a real honour to have played such a big part in the sustainability of this important charitable organisation going forward.”

The redesign and rebuild of the Bovington attraction’s shop, at tankmuseumshop.org, was completed in five weeks, ready for Black Friday last year.

Sales rose 329 per cent and conversions – visits resulting in a sale – were up 53 per cent over the 2020 Black Friday weekend, compared with 2019.

Trade at the online store – whose products range from novelty tank slippers to museum merchandise – was up 1,303 per cent year-on-year this January and up 1,483 per cent from January 1-21.

Nik Wyness, head of marketing and engagement at the Tank Museum, said: “The new shop website transformed the shopping experience for our customers.

“Whilst all e-commerce sites saw a boost during the lockdowns of the last 18 months, the most telling indication of success is that our traffic and sales have continued to grow during 2021.

“Our Christmas campaign sales are currently up 32 per cent against last year, and we will be working with JD Ecommerce through 2022 to continually optimise the customer experience and keep this vital new income stream growing.

“It’s not an understatement to say that the results of this project has protected jobs at the Museum – and we’re very proud to be part of a partnership whose work has been recognised above some household names in these awards.”

JD Ecommerce works with established names and start-ups in areas from consumer electronics to skincare. It works with the online platform Shopify and is the only certified Shopify Expert on the south coast.