eCommerce MasterPlan17 Nov 2025

From Bedroom Startup to £15 Million: The Cheeky Panda Story with Chris Forbes

Chris Forbes is the co-founder at Cheeky Panda, leading the bamboo revolution selling toilet paper, period products, kitchen roll and more. Founded in 2016 they now sell via multiple international Shopify sites, and a plethora of wholesale and marketplace locations. Turnover is now £15,000,000 a year, and did I mention they’re a B Corp?

In this episode, Chris Forbes reveals how The Cheeky Panda turned a bold eco idea into a £15M brand loved by customers and retailers alike. From smart scaling moves to making sustainability fun, Chris shares the mindset and marketing strategies behind their incredible growth.

Hit PLAY to hear:

🚀 How The Cheeky Panda grew from a bedroom idea to a £15M sustainable brand
🧠 Chris Forbes’ biggest lesson: what to focus on (and what to outsource) when scaling
🌿 Why sustainability alone isn’t a USP anymore — and what actually sells now
😂 How a giant panda costume helped them win fans and supermarket deals
🛒 The secret behind their omnichannel growth across Shopify, Tesco, and more
💡 What it really takes to turn purpose into profit — and stay ahead of the competition

Key timestamps to dive straight in:

[04:24] "Sustainable Innovation with Purpose"

[07:36] Expanding Bamboo Product Range

[12:01] Supermarkets Prioritizing Sustainable Suppliers

[13:47] Pricing and Quality Drive Success

[16:12] "Cheeky Panda: Fun & Friendly"

[21:14] Channel Strategies: Pros and Challenges

[22:36] Listen to Chris’s Top Tips!

Full episode notes here: https://ecmp.info/569

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