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Case Study: Wickes

Summary

Bluestones One’s merchandising team supported Wickes in their latest new store project in Sunderland. The 25,000 square foot unit supports Wickes distinctive service model and new store format, with Sunderland marking the 144th store in their estate transformation strategy.

Making it easier for customers to shop, in addition to a wide range of products, they’ve introduced a Dulux in-store mixing service and a new outdoor project centre for landscape and garden jobs. Plus a 7,000 square foot purpose built Kitchen, Bathroom and Boutique Tile Showroom.

Sunderland really supports the digitally-led and service enabled proposition, with a designated ‘Smart Fulfilment’ area, with the storage of items picked by colleagues for home delivery, ready for collection by local carriers and dedicated Click & Collect parking bays, providing a more convenient digital shopping experience for locals.

Challenges

Wickes Sunderland required a merchandising partner that was able to efficiently and effectively support the new store set up, utilising trained and experienced teams that had worked within various Wickes stores previously. Our Resource Planning and Account Management teams worked hard to ensure that we met the needs of one of our key customers throughout the project.

Results

A fantastic looking new store delivered on time and within budget and a very happy customer!

Meet the team: Gary White

Meet Gary White: Managing Director

We’re getting to know the Bluestones One team so, we’ve asked Managing Director, Gary White, about his journey in the merchandising and installation industry and what it’s like leading the team at Bluestones One. How did your journey at Bluestones One begin and what has it been like since?I joined the business in May 2018 and it’s been a whirlwind experience ever since. We built the business from scratch with the support of the group and have gone from strength to strength. We now have a market leading business that will continue to grow and I’m very excited for the next few years. What do you enjoy about working in this industry?No two days are ever the same. We are constantly engaging internally and externally on new projects, ideas and initiatives. As with every business there are always challenges, but as a team we face them head on and come out stronger for the experience. What is your proudest professional moment?There are a few, but we have been very fortunate to be part of such a supportive Investment Group and have won 3 awards in 3 years at the annual awards. Our first one (Best New Business) was incredible but

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