B&Q Plumbing Neutron – Bluestones One

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22 March 2023

Summary

Bluestones One is one of B&Q’s key suppliers of Project, Site, Installation and Merchandising teams across their large-scale change activity. One such piece of activity was the recent large-scale category refresh known as ‘Plumbing Neutron’.

To remain the market leader for Plumbing products B&Q must keep evolving their ranges and services in line with their customer’s expectations.

As part of this refresh, we were asked to provide a full end to end project management service.

Planning

Bluestones One provide the following aspects for every project:

Project management
Complete engagement visit
Create a phasing plan by store
Provide full CDM documentation
Store by store costings
Deliver in line with agreed schedule
Establish and supply all resource needs for Site Management, SIERS trained Installation teams and Merchandising teams

Challenges

Bluestones One Team were the principle contractor and provided site management cover for every store.

Working through the night over 5 nights per store, the challenge was to complete the store phasing and racking rebuilds to plan. Merchandise all the stock to planogram, build new displays, implement POS and rebranded any plumbing customer service desks.

Planning and execution were imperative to ensure that all work was completed to a high standard and that the store was ready to trade the next day.

Results

Bluestones One received fantastic feedback from the customer for the delivery and results of such a large scale programme.

Bluestones One team successfully completed a total of 63 B&Q stores over a 10-week period.

Using the experience and commitment of our onsite teams and project managers we were able to overcome any issues and provide the perfect solution bringing a whole new look into stores.

In memory of Harry Stringer

In loving memory of Harry Stringer On Monday the 7th March 2022, we lost one of our most loved site supervisors. Harry passed away suddenly after suffering a heart attack 1 week prior to his passing. Harry was a much loved and well respected mentor and friend in the retail merchandising world and in particular the D.I.Y sector. Harry made his debut in the retail industry working for Homebase in 1987 where he served for 20 years in roles such as Store Manager and in the later part of his Homebase career in the Store Format team. Harry then moved on to work for several Merchandising and Installation companies completing roles mainly working on Format Projects for B&Q. Harry was versatile and would do whatever role was required of him whether it be Site Supervisor, Retail Change Partner, Siers Supervisor or Team Leader. Over the last 12 years Harry worked for Dee Set and most recently Bluestones One. He will be sadly missed and we send our condolences to all of Harry’s family and friends. RIP Harry. Here’s what Bluestones One Director, Gary Lowe had to say shortly after Harry’s passing: “We are all shocked and devastated by the sad

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