Talking Tables Ltd
Talking Tables Ltd is a privately held UK design-led homeware, tableware, candles, and party games company founded in 1999, selling to consumer hosts and event planners via owned e-commerce storefronts in the UK, EU, and USA, plus a B2B trade wholesale channel.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Talking Tables Ltd does
Talking Tables Ltd is a privately held UK consumer goods company founded in 1999 and headquartered in London, with 101–250 employees. It designs and sells design-led homeware, kitchenware, tableware, candles, glassware, party decorations, and a growing games portfolio (including the Host Your Own franchise of Murder Mystery, Escape Room, Board Games, and Quiz in a Tin products) targeted at consumers who host gatherings at home and plan events such as birthdays, weddings, hen parties, and seasonal celebrations. Its product range spans unit prices from approximately £2.50 (dinner candles) to £50.00 (premium Escape Room games), with themed collections covering Easter, Eid, Halloween, Diwali, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and children's party themes.
The company makes money through two main channels: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via owned regional storefronts (talkingtables.co.uk for the UK, talkingtables.eu for the EU, talkingtables.com for the USA) with standard per-order delivery pricing (£3.99 standard, free over £40 in the UK mainland), and a B2B trade/wholesale channel accessed via a dedicated trade portal (trade.talkingtables.co.uk) serving retailers, event planners, and hospitality buyers. There is no disclosed proprietary technology platform; the company operates on standard e-commerce infrastructure (the site is built on Shopify). Its brand is supported by social media presence across Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, and LinkedIn, an email newsletter tied to tree-planting incentives, and earned media coverage in major UK lifestyle publications.
Talking Tables holds several ESG and quality credentials, including Certified B Corporation status, FSC certification, Living Wage Employer accreditation, Great Place To Work certification (Nov 2025–Nov 2026), Good Business Charter accreditation, Buy Women Built certification, and Better Business Act signatory status. It received The King's Awards for Enterprise International Trade 2023 and the Scale-up Awards 2023. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The business appears to be founder-led, with no parent company, no venture capital or private equity backing, and no disclosed M&A activity in the source data.
Talking Tables Ltd firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Talking Tables Ltd
- Legal name
- Talking Tables Ltd
- Website
- https://talkingtables.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Talking Tables Ltd is a privately held UK design-led homeware, tableware, candles, and party games company founded in 1999, selling to consumer hosts and event planners via owned e-commerce storefronts in the UK, EU, and USA, plus a B2B trade wholesale channel.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Talking Tables Ltd industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Homeware, Tableware and Party Supplies
- NAICS
- Furniture and Home Furnishings Retailers (4491), Home Furnishings Retailers (44912), Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Retailers (459420)
- SIC
- Retail-Home Furniture, Furnishings & Equipment Stores (5700), Retail-Hobby, Toy & Game Shops (5945), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Retail-Furniture Stores (5712)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tabletop, Dining Décor & Entertaining Accessories Retail (Centerpieces, Serveware Décor, Place Settings) (CRAIACAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Seasonal, Holiday & Party Home Décor Retail (CRAIACAD), Party Games & Family Entertainment Games Retail (CRALAFAJ), Family/Party Board Games Retail (CRALALAB), Party Games, Activities & Interactive Entertainment (HSACACAJ)
Keywords
Where Talking Tables Ltd is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Talking Tables Ltd business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Retail sales of design-led homeware, kitchenware, tableware, candles, and party games through owned e-commerce storefronts in UK, EU, and USA markets. Consumer purchases products online with home delivery.
- Trade/Wholesale: B2B wholesale sales to trade customers through dedicated trade portal (trade.talkingtables.co.uk). Business customers can apply for trade accounts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard per-product pricing for consumers |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free delivery threshold |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Talking Tables Ltd product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Talking Tables Ltd designs and sells design-led homeware, kitchenware, tableware, candles, glassware, party decorations, themed birthday and seasonal occasion supplies, and a range of party and family games (including murder mystery, escape room, trivia, board, kids and jigsaw games). Products are sold primarily direct-to-consumer through its own UK, EU and US e-commerce storefronts, with a separate B2B trade/wholesale portal supplying retailers and event professionals. The company also offers a tablescape rental service, digital party invitations, and free downloadable printables.
Product overview
Talking Tables Ltd is a design-led homeware, kitchenware, tableware, candles, party supplies, and games company. Their product portfolio includes: Homeware & Kitchenware (enamel plates, bowls, dishes, tin trays, ceramic punnets, candle holders, tea towels); Tableware (tablecloths, runners, napkins in various patterns); Candles & Candle Holders (dinner candles, candlestick holders); Glassware (wine glasses, tumblers, carafes, bud vases); and Games products including Host Your Own Murder Mystery Games, Escape Room Games, Board Games/Family Games (Bingo, Game Show, Casino Night), Trivia & Quiz Games in tin format, Dipsticks shouting games, Kids Games, Jigsaw Puzzles, and Christmas Crackers. They also offer seasonal and occasion-specific party decorations, Birthday supplies (tableware, cake decorations, party games), themed party decorations, Tablescape Rental Service, Online Invites, and Free Printables. The company operates internationally with regional websites for UK, EU, and USA markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Homeware and Kitchenware Design-led homeware and kitchenware including enamel plates, bowls, dishes, tin trays, ceramic punnets, candle holders and tea towels, for everyday hosting and special gatherings.
- Tableware and Table Linens Table linens, tablecloths, table runners and paper napkins in various patterns (gingham, stripe, themed designs) for parties and everyday use.
- Candles and Candle Holders Wax dinner candles in various colours and shapes, glass candlestick holders and ceramic candle holders for home décor and entertaining.
- Glassware Striped wine glasses, tumblers, carafes and glass bud vases in various colours for everyday and entertaining use.
- Host Your Own Party Games Host-led party games including Murder Mystery dinner party games (up to 12 players), envelope-based Escape Room games in themed editions (Egypt, Island, Kyoto, Mars, Museum, Greek Myths), Bingo, Family Game Show, Casino Night, Zodiac Sign Party and Kids vs Adults games.
- Trivia and Quiz Games Quiz in a Tin games covering Movie, Food, Travel, Music, General Knowledge and Pub Night themes, each with 200 questions.
- Dipsticks Games Question and answer card games for shouting out answers, including Shout Out trivia, charades and music-themed games.
- Kids Games and Puzzles Family-friendly games including Easy Peasy Bingo, Go Fish, Would You Rather, Spelling Bee, Bug Bingo and travel games in tins; plus 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles (Bee Garden, Map of the USA).
- Christmas Crackers Christmas crackers in various themes (Holly, Woodland, Folklore, Mistletoe) with built-in games including Who-What-Where-Am-I, Compendium and Build-a-Deer.
- Birthday Party Supplies Coordinated birthday party range including balloons, banners, bunting, confetti, honeycomb decorations, napkins, cake stands, treat bags, straws, paper plates, paper cups, place cards, placemats, birthday candles, number candles and cake toppers.
- Seasonal and Occasion Decorations Decorations and tableware for seasonal and cultural occasions including Easter, Eid, Halloween, Diwali, Christmas, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day.
- Themed Kids Party Collections Curated themed children's party ranges including Alice in Wonderland, Animals, Dinosaurs, Fairy, Football, Mermaid, Pastels, Punk Princess, Rainbow Brights, Tea Party and Unicorns.
- Tablescape Rental Service Rental service allowing customers to rent party table settings and decorations rather than purchase them outright.
- Online Invites Digital party invitations and printable invites available for various occasions.
Companies that use Talking Tables Ltd
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Talking Tables Ltd technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Talking Tables Ltd partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- EcologicoreTalking Tables partners with Ecologi for tree planting initiatives. As well as offsetting their paper napkins and games production, they provide opportunities for their team and customers to build their own forests. The company plants trees to offset their environmental impact and supports reforestation projects through Ecologi's platform.
- B CorporationcoreCertified B Corporation, part of a global movement of like-minded companies committed to using business as a force for good. B Corp is the Gold Standard for companies who believe you can both effect positive change and be successful.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Talking Tables Ltd competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Cath Kidston: Iconic British design-led homeware, kitchenware, and lifestyle brand. Overlaps on tabletop, kitchen textiles, candles, and gifting — though operates at larger scale and broader lifestyle scope.
- Not On The High Street: UK online marketplace curating design-led homeware, gifts, and party/entertaining products from small brands. Comparable channel for Talking Tables' gifting and party customer, and a route-to-market competitor for trade buyers.
- Sophie Allport: Established UK design-led homeware, tableware, and kitchen textiles brand with similar gifting and hosting occasions. Comparable British design heritage and multi-channel DTC/trade model, though broader lifestyle footprint.
- Anthropologie (Home & Gift): US-based design-led homeware, tabletop, candles, and party/entertaining retailer. Comparable premium aesthetic, themed collections, and cross-category gifting assortment, though much larger scale and broader lifestyle scope.
Direct peers
- Ginger Ray: UK-based design-led party supplies and decorations retailer serving the same celebration/hosting occasions. Comparable in product range (balloons, banners, themed tableware) and customer base (UK party planners and parents).
- Meri Meri: Design-led party supplies and stationery brand with a comparable mix of paper tableware, decorations, and party kits sold globally via DTC and trade channels. Closest direct peer given overlapping premium-party positioning and international distribution model.
- Rosanna: Design-led tableware and home entertaining brand with coordinated collections across dinnerware, serveware, and seasonal decorations. Comparable lifestyle-hosting positioning and design-driven merchandising approach.
- Caspari: Design-driven paper tableware, decorations, and entertaining accessories sold via DTC and wholesale. Comparable premium-positioned tabletop and entertaining category overlap with Talking Tables.
- Party Delights: UK party supplies specialist with broad themed ranges across birthdays, children's parties, and seasonal occasions. Directly competes for the same 'party planner' customer segment but skews more value-oriented than design-led.
Regional players
- The Conran Shop: UK design-led homeware, tableware, and lifestyle retailer. Comparable design credentials and homeware/tabletop assortment, though positioned at higher price points and narrower in party/celebration.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Talking Tables Ltd social profiles
Digital presenceTalking Tables Ltd financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Talking Tables Ltd leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Talking Tables Ltd funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Talking Tables Ltd M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Talking Tables Ltd
What does Talking Tables Ltd do?
Talking Tables Ltd designs and sells design-led homeware, kitchenware, tableware, candles, glassware, party decorations, themed birthday and seasonal occasion supplies, and a range of party and family games (including murder mystery, escape room, trivia, board, kids and jigsaw games). Products are sold primarily direct-to-consumer through its own UK, EU and US e-commerce storefronts, with a separate B2B trade/wholesale portal supplying retailers and event professionals. The company also offers a tablescape rental service, digital party invitations, and free downloadable printables.
Is Talking Tables Ltd a public or private company?
Talking Tables Ltd is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Talking Tables Ltd founded?
Talking Tables Ltd was founded in 1999. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Talking Tables Ltd based?
Talking Tables Ltd is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Talking Tables Ltd make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce is the primary driver. The others are trade/Wholesale.
Who are Talking Tables Ltd's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Cath Kidston, Not On The High Street, Sophie Allport and Anthropologie (Home & Gift). Direct peers are Ginger Ray, Meri Meri, Rosanna, Caspari and Party Delights. The Conran Shop is listed as a regional player.
Does Talking Tables Ltd have an API?
No public API is recorded for Talking Tables Ltd.
What industry is Talking Tables Ltd in?
Talking Tables Ltd's product category is Homeware, Tableware and Party Supplies. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIACAE, Tabletop, Dining Décor & Entertaining Accessories Retail (Centerpieces, Serveware Décor, Place Settings), with a secondary code of CRAIACAD, Seasonal, Holiday & Party Home Décor Retail. Its NAICS code is 4491 and its SIC code is 5700.