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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: Andy Smethurst

Meet Andy Smethurst: Account Manager

Tell us about your role at Bluestones OneI’m an Account Manager.  How would you normally start your day at work?Reviewing the previous days/night’s progress and activity to ensure everything has gone smoothly, is on track and the customer is happy. What does a typical day at work look like for you?It can be very varied from one day to the next, but my priority is ensuring our customers receive best in class service from us. What do you find challenging?Last minute changes to plans or schedules can be challenging, but this can also be rewarding when the project lands and you know the changes were for the best. What do you enjoy?The variety of customers, projects and the enthusiasm of the people that I work with. What’s the best thing about working at Bluestones One?The people and the variety of projects.

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