“West Northants is great for us as we feel we have a purpose. The proximity to get anywhere in the UK is great. Northampton has some great businesses and we try where we can to stay local with our supplies. We believe as a Northamptonshire business that we can be heard when we want to be and we can add value to our community.“

Barry Tong, CEO, Sol Retail

About Sol Retail: Founded in 2012 by Barry Tong and his wife Katy, Sol Retail (Stephensons Online Ltd) began with just £10 and a few items from Barry’s late grandmother’s council flat. What started as a humble eBay venture has grown into one of the world’s largest health and beauty marketplace businesses, representing brands in 19 countries and partnering with platforms like Amazon, eBay, Walmart, Superdrug, Tesco, and Temu.

Sol Retail is now a Top 100 Amazon seller in both the UK and EU, and works with some of the biggest names in beauty, as well as emerging brands. The company also owns and co-owns several brands including Below the Belt, The Bluebeards Revenge, Sol Beauty, Scrubbingtons, and Sugar Coated.

In 2025, Sol Retail was honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its outstanding international growth — a proud moment for the business and for Northamptonshire.

Ongoing Growth: From selling second-hand items online to managing a £25 million turnover business with over 30 employees, Sol Retail’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. The company has grown organically, without loans, investments, or overdrafts — something Barry and Katy are extremely proud of.

Sol Retail continues to grow at an impressive rate of around 60% per year, proving that marketplace businesses can thrive with the right strategy, adaptability, and local support.

Looking ahead, Sol Retail is aiming even higher. Discussions are already underway about reaching £50 million turnover by 2026–2027. With continued innovation, expansion into new markets, and a strong foundation in West Northants, the future looks bright.

Why West Northants? Sol Retail is proud to call West Northants home. They feel that the region offers:

• Strategic location: Excellent transport links make it easy to reach customers and partners across the UK.
• Community connection: Sol Retail actively supports local charities and strives to source supplies locally.
• Business-friendly environment: The team feels heard and valued, with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to the local economy.

Barry and Katy believe that West Northants gives businesses a sense of purpose, and they’re passionate about giving back to the community that helped them grow.