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The End of an Era: Farewell to The Executive Shaving Company

Hello friends,

I'm very saddened to learn of the closure of Executive Shaving Company. I'd not really been online or keeping up to date with the community in the past few weeks due to being under the weather. I just had a look last night and I saw the news, it seems they closed just about a month ago, at the end of August.

I searched prior to posting but there doesn't seem to have been any post regarding this apart from some posts in the thread I posted for their Summer (or closing down) sale a few months back, so I thought I'd just post this thread to notify about their closure and acknowledge their contributions to the community over the years, and indeed decades. I hope I post in the right section.. I felt this topic would most accurately fall under general shaving talk.

So, Executive Shaving been around since the mid 00s. I think around 2004. Two decades of supplying the wet shaving community. I always felt they were without a doubt one of the best stores this side of the pond. Nothing was ever a problem, they would always go above and beyond to help you out and ensure your happiness. I used to spend many e-mails Robert and Aly about things back in the day and they would always give a friendly, helpful and informative response. They really did care about customers.

I think it would go without saying that Executive Shaving is where many Britain and Ireland based folks got our start in the wetshaving world. I started off placing an order with them for a Muhle R89, few packs of blades, a tub of their in house Bay Rum shave cream and their Big Jock brush.. I ordered a super inexpensive stainless bowl too and they secretly upgraded and surprised me one of their luxury handmade Stef Baxter pottery stoneware bowls instead. They cost like five times the price of the one I ordered. That was the kind of store they were.

When I received it all I remember thinking "Surely this should be me set for years!". If I only knew.. it was only the very beginning. A few weeks later I'd be ordering a Feather AS-D2, Rex Ambassador, Martin de Candre soaps, fancy brushes and various other things from them. I think them being such an integral part of my start in the hobby makes it all the more sad to see them close up shop.

I had noticed in recent times their inventory was not as extensive as it once was.. they seemed to only have bare bones stock and not getting much new in.. a worrying trend. Then just a short while back, during the Summer, I saw they were holding a huge sale with 30% off.. many premium razors selling for less than average used prices. I had suspicions at the time but I now know for sure this must have been their closing down sale.

Another great resource, unfortunately gone. I hope maybe one day they will be able to return but it doesn't look likely from what I read. This is a great loss. Some remaining stores I do love are Slickboys which is one of the very few means we have here to acquire US produced artisan products.. the owner Finn is a great guy too. Shaving Station is another good little family run store that store US stuff but admittedly their inventory isn't quite as extensive as Finn's. Connaught shaving which is another great store, great resource for blades and certain razor and software lines..

I think Slickboys and Connaught will be my main go-tos now. The US based Maggard Razors is brilliant also but.. of course, the problem ordering from US being problems with shipping alcohol products. I collect a lot of soaps and I like matching sets.. a soap and a splash. US stores can ship balms, but I'm not really a balm guy. I'll only get a balm if I can't get a matching splash.

Anyways, just my means to say farewell to Executive Shaving. I'm glad I have some of their products to remember the store by.. I have a few of their shaving bowls, one of their "Big Jock" brushes.. and a number of razors I'd procured from them along with various soaps, creams etc.

I also found a nice article posted on the another store called the Brighton Beard Company. They say it better than I could. I thought I'd copy/paste it below:

The End of an Era: Farewell to The Executive Shaving Company​

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the closure of Executive Shaving, a company that has been a cornerstone in the wet shaving industry for almost two decades. Founded in 2005, Executive Shaving became renowned for its premium razors, shaving brushes, and skincare products. From beginners to experts, thousands of loyal customers relied on them for expert advice and high-quality grooming essentials. But as of 30th August, Executive Shaving has ceased trading.

Why Has Executive Shaving Closed?​

The economic landscape in the UK has been particularly challenging over the past two years. Executive Shaving was heavily impacted by the effects of Brexit, which resulted in a loss of about £10,000 in monthly sales. With the UK economy continuing to decline, the business faced mounting financial difficulties that they could no longer overcome.
This closure is a stark reminder of the pressures facing many independent businesses today.

A Message from Executive Shaving​

In a final message to their community, Executive Shaving expressed their heartfelt gratitude:
"Many of you have become more than just customers—you’ve become friends. We will miss you all deeply."
Their words reflect the deep relationships they built with their customers, going beyond simple transactions to create a strong community.

We Are Facing Similar Challenges​

At The Brighton Beard Company, we, too, have faced similar economic challenges over the past few years. Like Executive Shaving, we are a small, independent business navigating the changing landscape of Brexit and the economic downturn. However, we are fighting back with everything we can to keep our doors open and continue serving our valued customers.
We know how important it is to you to have access to premium grooming products, and we are dedicated to remaining your go-to source. As we work hard to adapt and overcome these obstacles, we want to thank you for your continued support and loyalty during these tough times.

A Massive Thank You to Executive Shaving​

We cannot let Executive Shaving go without recognising the incredible contributions they made to the shaving and grooming industry. They helped to break down long-standing stereotypes about grooming, raising awareness that traditional wet shaving is not just for the older generations or a niche community, but an inclusive and revitalising grooming method for everyone. Their dedication to providing educational resources for beginners, as well as advanced shavers, helped countless people feel more confident about their grooming routines. They promoted a more sustainable and thoughtful approach to shaving at a time when many people were turning to mass-produced, disposable razors.
Their work in increasing awareness of traditional grooming practices and creating a welcoming space for all men—regardless of age, background, or shaving experience—made a significant difference in shaping the industry. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for helping to push the industry forward in ways that will continue to impact the market for years to come.

What Made Executive Shaving Unique?​

Executive Shaving was well-known for their carefully curated range of products, offering traditional double-edge safety razors, straight razors, and shaving accessories that catered to all skin types—including those with sensitive skin. Their dedication to providing top-quality products paired with expert advice made them a standout in the industry.
For those who appreciated the craftsmanship and care that went into their offerings, we recommend checking out our own range of shaving products.
Our products are crafted with the same commitment to quality that Executive Shaving customers have come to expect, ensuring you can still enjoy an exceptional grooming experience.

The Legacy of Executive Shaving​

Although Executive Shaving has closed, their influence on the wet shaving world will endure. They were not just a business—they were a resource, a community hub, and a provider of top-quality grooming products that enhanced the daily routines of many.
We know the challenges of running an independent business, especially in today’s economic climate. While it’s sad to see a fellow business like Executive Shaving close, we remain determined to keep serving our community. Supporting small businesses is more important than ever, and we are committed to providing the best products and customer service possible.
As we say goodbye to Executive Shaving, we honor the legacy they leave behind, and we continue to push forward with the same dedication to quality and service that has made small businesses like ours thrive.
 

Mr. Shavington

Knows Hot Turkish Toilets
What a shame. They clearly worked hard to keep the store going but I’m sure Brian Mulreany’s YouTube presence had been a big draw for the business and when Brian retired it was always going to be more difficult. But this was a classy business run the right way by good people, throughout.

Thank you for letting us know about this.
 
There were a thread or two in the Shopping & Deals section about it, one of them was referencing people having paid for orders but then having them canceled and not receiving refunds yet. I'm hoping that everyone was made whole if they made an order that didn't go through 🙄
 
Hello friends,

I'm very saddened to learn of the closure of Executive Shaving Company. I'd not really been online or keeping up to date with the community in the past few weeks due to being under the weather. I just had a look last night and I saw the news, it seems they closed just about a month ago, at the end of August.

I searched prior to posting but there doesn't seem to have been any post regarding this apart from some posts in the thread I posted for their Summer (or closing down) sale a few months back, so I thought I'd just post this thread to notify about their closure and acknowledge their contributions to the community over the years, and indeed decades. I hope I post in the right section.. I felt this topic would most accurately fall under general shaving talk.

So, Executive Shaving been around since the mid 00s. I think around 2004. Two decades of supplying the wet shaving community. I always felt they were without a doubt one of the best stores this side of the pond. Nothing was ever a problem, they would always go above and beyond to help you out and ensure your happiness. I used to spend many e-mails Robert and Aly about things back in the day and they would always give a friendly, helpful and informative response. They really did care about customers.

I think it would go without saying that Executive Shaving is where many Britain and Ireland based folks got our start in the wetshaving world. I started off placing an order with them for a Muhle R89, few packs of blades, a tub of their in house Bay Rum shave cream and their Big Jock brush.. I ordered a super inexpensive stainless bowl too and they secretly upgraded and surprised me one of their luxury handmade Stef Baxter pottery stoneware bowls instead. They cost like five times the price of the one I ordered. That was the kind of store they were.

When I received it all I remember thinking "Surely this should be me set for years!". If I only knew.. it was only the very beginning. A few weeks later I'd be ordering a Feather AS-D2, Rex Ambassador, Martin de Candre soaps, fancy brushes and various other things from them. I think them being such an integral part of my start in the hobby makes it all the more sad to see them close up shop.

I had noticed in recent times their inventory was not as extensive as it once was.. they seemed to only have bare bones stock and not getting much new in.. a worrying trend. Then just a short while back, during the Summer, I saw they were holding a huge sale with 30% off.. many premium razors selling for less than average used prices. I had suspicions at the time but I now know for sure this must have been their closing down sale.

Another great resource, unfortunately gone. I hope maybe one day they will be able to return but it doesn't look likely from what I read. This is a great loss. Some remaining stores I do love are Slickboys which is one of the very few means we have here to acquire US produced artisan products.. the owner Finn is a great guy too. Shaving Station is another good little family run store that store US stuff but admittedly their inventory isn't quite as extensive as Finn's. Connaught shaving which is another great store, great resource for blades and certain razor and software lines..

I think Slickboys and Connaught will be my main go-tos now. The US based Maggard Razors is brilliant also but.. of course, the problem ordering from US being problems with shipping alcohol products. I collect a lot of soaps and I like matching sets.. a soap and a splash. US stores can ship balms, but I'm not really a balm guy. I'll only get a balm if I can't get a matching splash.

Anyways, just my means to say farewell to Executive Shaving. I'm glad I have some of their products to remember the store by.. I have a few of their shaving bowls, one of their "Big Jock" brushes.. and a number of razors I'd procured from them along with various soaps, creams etc.

I also found a nice article posted on the another store called the Brighton Beard Company. They say it better than I could. I thought I'd copy/paste it below:

The End of an Era: Farewell to The Executive Shaving Company​

It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the closure of Executive Shaving, a company that has been a cornerstone in the wet shaving industry for almost two decades. Founded in 2005, Executive Shaving became renowned for its premium razors, shaving brushes, and skincare products. From beginners to experts, thousands of loyal customers relied on them for expert advice and high-quality grooming essentials. But as of 30th August, Executive Shaving has ceased trading.

Why Has Executive Shaving Closed?​

The economic landscape in the UK has been particularly challenging over the past two years. Executive Shaving was heavily impacted by the effects of Brexit, which resulted in a loss of about £10,000 in monthly sales. With the UK economy continuing to decline, the business faced mounting financial difficulties that they could no longer overcome.
This closure is a stark reminder of the pressures facing many independent businesses today.

A Message from Executive Shaving​

In a final message to their community, Executive Shaving expressed their heartfelt gratitude:

Their words reflect the deep relationships they built with their customers, going beyond simple transactions to create a strong community.

We Are Facing Similar Challenges​

At The Brighton Beard Company, we, too, have faced similar economic challenges over the past few years. Like Executive Shaving, we are a small, independent business navigating the changing landscape of Brexit and the economic downturn. However, we are fighting back with everything we can to keep our doors open and continue serving our valued customers.
We know how important it is to you to have access to premium grooming products, and we are dedicated to remaining your go-to source. As we work hard to adapt and overcome these obstacles, we want to thank you for your continued support and loyalty during these tough times.

A Massive Thank You to Executive Shaving​

We cannot let Executive Shaving go without recognising the incredible contributions they made to the shaving and grooming industry. They helped to break down long-standing stereotypes about grooming, raising awareness that traditional wet shaving is not just for the older generations or a niche community, but an inclusive and revitalising grooming method for everyone. Their dedication to providing educational resources for beginners, as well as advanced shavers, helped countless people feel more confident about their grooming routines. They promoted a more sustainable and thoughtful approach to shaving at a time when many people were turning to mass-produced, disposable razors.
Their work in increasing awareness of traditional grooming practices and creating a welcoming space for all men—regardless of age, background, or shaving experience—made a significant difference in shaping the industry. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for helping to push the industry forward in ways that will continue to impact the market for years to come.

What Made Executive Shaving Unique?​

Executive Shaving was well-known for their carefully curated range of products, offering traditional double-edge safety razors, straight razors, and shaving accessories that catered to all skin types—including those with sensitive skin. Their dedication to providing top-quality products paired with expert advice made them a standout in the industry.
For those who appreciated the craftsmanship and care that went into their offerings, we recommend checking out our own range of shaving products.
Our products are crafted with the same commitment to quality that Executive Shaving customers have come to expect, ensuring you can still enjoy an exceptional grooming experience.

The Legacy of Executive Shaving​

Although Executive Shaving has closed, their influence on the wet shaving world will endure. They were not just a business—they were a resource, a community hub, and a provider of top-quality grooming products that enhanced the daily routines of many.
We know the challenges of running an independent business, especially in today’s economic climate. While it’s sad to see a fellow business like Executive Shaving close, we remain determined to keep serving our community. Supporting small businesses is more important than ever, and we are committed to providing the best products and customer service possible.
As we say goodbye to Executive Shaving, we honor the legacy they leave behind, and we continue to push forward with the same dedication to quality and service that has made small businesses like ours thrive.
@Guido75 (Guido) had created a thread a couple weeks ago:


But what you wrote here is great!
Maybe a moderator can merge both threads?
 
Sad indeed. Hopefully Brexit was worth it to the 52%...
I doubt brexit is the real cause. The reality is that wet shaving has jumped the shark and the fad has worn off. People like myself shave for practicality now rather than the expensive 'rabit hole' hobby, that to be honest, doesnt really have any exciting new products on the market anymore.
 
Just a note, even though I am not a mod - political discussions aren't appropriate here, and whilst the powers that be are probably more concerned with US politics, Brexit is still a fractious and divisive issue.

I was an Executive Shaving customer. Sad to see them go. The products were quality, but they were also relatively expensive and the UK market for expensive wet shaving products is both saturated and in decline (so I infer from discussions with other UK wet shaving suppliers). There was a time when ES were establishing a brand for themselves beyond the wet-shaving hobby as suppliers of classy male grooming products, but the media seemed to move on and find other darlings, even though ES continued to supply high quality products.

I hope that maybe in the future the folks responsible might be able to revive the ES branded software and make it viable on a smaller scale. That stuff could stand alongside any other high-end "artisan" products in terms of performance.
 

Phoenixkh

I shaved a fortune
I got to know Brian Mulreany fairly well though emails..... He told me Brexit was costing them 20,000 pounds a month in lost sales.... He retired not long after Brexit.... I think he was behind a lot of their European products.... After Brexit, they weren't able to import EU products and remain competitive... They also used to ship to the EU easily.... That changed as well. Their market shrunk to the UK only....

The shipping costs to the States were fairly expensive, but I usually bought quite a few items so the costs were spread out per item in my limited way of justifying purchasing from them. <eg> evil grin
 
The reality is that wet shaving has jumped the shark and the fad has worn off. People like myself shave for practicality now rather than the expensive 'rabit hole' hobby, that to be honest, doesnt really have any exciting new products on the market anymore.
Really?
You shave for practicality but I'm pretty sure that plenty here buy for the hobby too (me being one of them!)
You've settled to that and that's fine but I assure you that lots of people here haven't and wont.
I see exciting stuff come out all the time and have witnessed plenty of shaving businesses thrive and survive:
Wolfman (his current wait time is like 5 months and can't make the Guerrilla's fast enough), Karve, Blackland, Pasteur, Timeless, Maggard etc..
I'm sure Executive shaving had their reasons on their decision to close but it wasn't due to a shrinking market.
Nobody knows anyone's internal workings!
 
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