Direct-to-consumer push

Worldwide expansion for William Morris designs

William Morris was one of the most influential figures of the nineteenth century

Sanderson Design Group has struck a deal to expand the availability of products featuring the iconic designs of William Morris via a new e-commerce venture.

The group, which owns historic Lancaster textile printer Standfast & Barracks, has expanded its existing collaboration with Design Online, part of Jane Clayton and Company.

Design Online operates the Scion brand online shop, which was launched in 2021 as Sanderson’s first direct-to-consumer initiative.

The new Morris & Co online shop will be launched in the second half of this year.

The shop will include Morris & Co wallpapers, fabrics and other licensed products, targeting customers in the UK, USA and other worldwide markets.

For example the Scion shop includes additional products such as drinkware, kitchen linens and floor mats.

Sanderson Design Group CEO Lisa Montague commented: "We are delighted to be deepening our relationship with the team at Jane Clayton and Company on the development of this exciting new website for the Morris & Co brand.

“This dedicated online shop will provide an important online route to market, with the objective of bringing more international customers to this iconic Arts & Crafts brand and cementing Morris & Co's position as the home of William Morris.”

William Morris was a polymath and key figure in the Arts & Crafts movement. He championed handmade production during his life.

He set up the interiors company that would eventually become Morris & Co alongside two friends in 1861.

Sanderson Design Group described him thus: “As a political theorist, publisher, environmental campaigner, poet, as well as an outstanding designer, William Morris (1834–1896) was one of the single most influential figures of the nineteenth century.”

In 1891 Morris also set up the Kelmscott Press, where he designed the typefaces, borders and decorative initial letters for 66 books.

The Princess of Wales visited Standfast & Barracks last year.