Many companies - big and small - shut during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some that transitioned to a digital setting thrived.
Vida Bakery
UK-based Vida Bakery was established in 2015 to cater to consumers into gluten-free and vegan baked products.
The bakery went on to open a cafe and kitchen space in Brick Lane, London in 2018. Just two months after the bakery's second branch was opened in King's Cross, the owners, Vanessa Miquilena and Daniela Ortega, had to close.
Miquilena revealed that when COVID-19 arrived, sales were down by 95% during the second week of March, when cases were rising across the UK.
Vida Bakery then transitioned to a digital setup that allowed customers to place their orders. On day one of the online bakery's launch, 500 orders were placed across the country.
Before building a website and going for virtual selling, Vida Bakery only had London customers in their shops. The bakery now caters to customers in Glasgow, Brighton and Manchester.
Bliss Dough
In Canada, husband and wife Dave and Jessica Hewitt watched their edible cookie dough business boom fast in Ontario, Canada, even during the pandemic.
Like Vida Bakery, Bliss Dough had to transition to a digital sales model when cases rose across Canada. Jessica said that this year, sales doubled in March and April compared with sales from the same period last year.
At some point during their online sales ventures, the couple sold thousands of jars "within 10 minutes." According to Jessica, many of Bliss Dough's customers placed orders to send to their loved ones.
At a little under $7 per jar, the Hewitts' raw cookie dough products became a favorite "giftable item" for customers who wanted to express appreciation for health care workers fighting the novel coronavirus.
Bliss Dough has also become available in all Longo's stores across Ontario. The available flavors in Longo's locations are peppermint brownie, chocolate chip, and cookies and cream.
Ondevan
Florida-based van vacation rental company Ondevan used to be popular among international tourists who booked stays.
With COVID-19 shattering hospitality businesses, owner Omar Bendezu had to capitalize on the company's website and social media.
Aside from building on the van rental company's online presence, Bendezu also had to renovate some vans to improve the experience. All vans have essential camping equipment such as lanterns and stoves so tourists no longer have to pack these items.
Despite the pandemic's effect on the tourism sector, Ondevan was able to retain its 11 vans. International tourists no longer make up for the company's growing customer base but locals fill up online bookings fast.
