Monday February 5 2018 THE NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE MUSEUM, BIRMINGHAM
talkingshop ‘We aim to build on our reputation
and create the ultimate one stop shop’ With two big achievements under its belt, Bents Garden & Home in Cheshire is in a celebratory mood
17/01/2017 14:12 Page 5
WINNER BEST
INDEPENDENT GARDEN
RETAILER AWARD 2
017 is shaping up to be a very special year for Bents Garden & Home. Not only is the Cheshire company
commemorating its 80th anniversary, but three months ago it was named Britain’s Best Independent Garden Centre Retailer at the annual Housewares Innovation Awards. The ceremony, which took place on February
6 in Birmingham, was organised by Housewares Magazine and its digital partner
www.HousewaresLive.net and hosted by Si King and Dave Myers (aka celebrity cooks The Hairy Bikers). Bents buying and ecommerce operations
manager Emma Kelly sums up her response on hearing the news of the win in one word: “Delighted!” Emma explains: “Although we’ve carried a
wide range of cookware for quite some time, our dedicated cook shop is a relatively new addition. The award is a fantastic recognition of the team’s hard work to make it another popular department.” Bents’ trading history began in1937 when
founders Alfred and Margaret Bent started selling roses from the front garden of their terrace house. Since then, the family-owned and run
business has grown and diversified to include a wide range of home and leisure departments - as well as continuing to focus on its
commitment to the garden. In late 2014, Bents created an extra 50,000sq
ft of retail space as part of an £8 million development at the centre. Six new retail units opened: a cook shop, food hall, children’s boutique, petcare department, outdoor clothing store Nevisport|Trespass and hobby, art and craft store C-Crafts. Emma describes the cook shop’s range as
comprehensive and inspirational: “We try to cater for our key customer groups, ensuring we always have good, better and best options to cover all budgets.” Product categories covered are alfresco,
textiles, bakeware, tableware, serveware, glassware, preparation, gadgets and small electricals. “We carry many brands and work with lots of
companies, large and small, to get the balance right,” Emma says. “We spend time looking at all ranges. It’s
important to consider all options to ensure we’re constantly inspiring our customers - and it’s important to trial new products to the market as well as old faithfuls. For example, we’re always looking for local suppliers and like to support products made in the UK.” Major names stocked are Ultimate Products
and KitchenCraft, while key brands include LSA, Circulon, Swan, Nespresso, Royal Doulton, Salter, Dunoon and Denby.
At the moment, Emma says, sales of small
electricals are “up and down; in particular, juicers and spiralizers are starting to slow. But we’re seeing a massive demand for glassware, especially anything gin-related.” Bents freshens up ranges seasonally and
changes the cook shop’s layout annually to revitalise the feel. The floor space also features hot spot areas where products are changed on a regular basis. Demonstrations by staff or guests are a
regular fixture. Celebrity chef Ken Hom OBE recently visited to put his DKB cookware through its paces, while demos by barbecue expert Richard Holden always prove popular. “That’s what sets us apart from other garden
centre retailers,” Emma says. “Our customer service, product knowledge, displays, brands, demos - and ranges that appeal to our customer groups. We have something for everyone, from novices to experts.” So what’s next for Bents? The retailer is now
working on plans for a new entrance to the centre. The aim is to deliver a two-storey glazed entrance atrium with escalators leading up to more retail, leisure and educational space. “Over the next few years we aim to build on
L-R: The Housewares Innovation Awards 2017 host Hairy Biker Si King, Bents buying and ecommerce operations manager Emma Kelly, junior gifts buyer Lauren Wareing, gifts buyer Jenny Jarrett, fellow host and Hairy Biker Dave Myers, Nicholas Cowan of award sponsor The English Tableware Company
our reputation and create the ultimate one stop shop, providing visitors with a quality alternative to large scale shopping centres,” Bents says, “without losing any of the choice, quality or levels of service”.
May 2017 •
HousewaresLive.net •
twitter.com/Housewaresnews housewareslive.net | 47
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