👉 Back On The Shelves is the next chapter of a journey that began with a small idea, a growing family, and a strong belief that clothing should be affordable, thoughtfully sourced, and accessible to everyone. Many of you may already know us from Little Ones Preloved, and today we wanted to share how that business grew into what we are now.
Where It All Began
My love for clothing with a story started long before I ever launched a business. Growing up, hand-me-downs were part of everyday life. Charity shop visits with my parents were normal, and as the youngest of three girls, I was lucky enough to inherit my sisters’ favourite wardrobe pieces once they outgrew them. Those early experiences shaped how I viewed clothing — not as disposable, but as something that could be loved, reused and passed on.
When I had my first child, that appreciation grew even stronger. I sourced most of our baby clothing second hand, along with a preloved pushchair, saving money while reducing waste. I became increasingly eco-conscious and started making small changes where I could — from charity shop bargains to reusing wherever possible. It quickly became a way of life.
One moment that really stayed with me was finding a beautiful vintage St Michael floral dress with an embroidered collar for my youngest. I fell in love instantly. It reinforced my belief that clothing doesn’t need to be brand new to be special — it just needs to be chosen with care.
The Start of Little Ones Preloved
After returning to work from maternity leave, life became increasingly busy. We later learned that our son had additional needs, and then COVID hit our household. My eldest daughter was severely affected, resulting in a hospital admission and long-term health issues. Like many families, everything changed very quickly.
During this time, I began selling children’s clothing online while also sourcing the next sizes for my own children. I was amazed at how many items looked almost new and how much value could still be found in them. Over time, I completed more than 500 sales and received five-star feedback on every one — which gave me the confidence to take the next step.
In March 2023, I made the incredibly difficult decision to leave my full-time job. With three children — two with additional needs — I knew I had to put my family first. It was not an easy decision and came with many tears, but it was the right one for us.
In April 2023, Little Ones Preloved was born. The vision was simple: to create a website full of high-quality second-hand baby and children’s clothing at affordable prices, making sustainable shopping easier for families.
Little Ones Preloved quickly grew beyond what I ever imagined. We stocked clothing from newborn to 14 years, including everyday wear, schoolwear and playwear. Every item was carefully quality-checked, restored where possible, and prepared with care. I loved knowing that these outfits would go on to create new memories for other families.
👉 read more about our journey
Supporting Families Along the Way
Supporting families has always been at the heart of this journey. During the cost-of-living crisis, I became increasingly aware of how many families were struggling to afford clothing for their children. This led to the creation of the Clothing in Deed Initiative, supporting families in need across Norfolk.
What started as donating unsold or imperfect stock quickly grew into something much bigger. Families reached out for help, while others generously offered donations so we could support even more children. Through this initiative, I was able to send two to three clothing parcels each month, personally covering the postage costs. In total, more than 20 parcels were sent to children who needed them most.
Why We Evolved
As Little Ones Preloved continued to grow, the business naturally began to evolve. While sustainability remained at the heart of what I do, I started to see a growing need for brand-new clothing that was still affordable and waste-reducing.
High street retailers often have surplus stock, cancelled orders and discontinued lines that are perfectly new and unworn, yet at risk of being discarded. I realised that there was another way to reduce waste — by giving these items a home and offering customers brand-new high street fashion at outlet prices.
This wasn’t a move away from our values. It was a way to protect them, while allowing the business to grow.
Introducing Back On The Shelves
And so, Back On The Shelves was born.
Back On The Shelves is a high street discount outlet offering brand-new fashion for children and adults, sourced from trusted retailers and brought back on the shelves for less. While our stock has changed over time, our commitment to quality, affordability and thoughtful sourcing has not. 👉 shop children’s clothing
Every item is carefully checked on arrival and again before dispatch, and stock is added regularly in limited quantities — meaning there’s always something new to discover.
Looking Ahead
While the name and stock have evolved, the heart behind the business remains the same. Back On The Shelves exists to help families and individuals shop affordably, responsibly and with confidence, without compromising on quality.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who supported Little Ones Preloved and continues to support us as Back On The Shelves. Whether you’ve been here from the beginning or you’re just discovering us now, thank you for being part of this journey.
We’re excited for what’s still to come. 👉 latest arrivals
Want to get in touch? 👉 get in touch