SUPPLIER PROFILE SUP


ARE INDEPENDENT TA


A


n this day and age it is becoming much har der for smaller and independent retailers to compete with national high


larger


str eet chains. One example of this is the limitations on their pr oduct portfolio due to budget constraints that are not fel t by the national companies.


S PPLIER PROFILE PPLIER PROFILE E


RET AILERS BEING PRICED OUT OF BIG BRAND


GARDEN POR TFOLIOS? I


r,,


The gar den and outdoor market, for example, has enjoyed sustained gr owth over the past couple of years. Accor ding to market analysis agenc y Mintel, the market currently valued at approximately £5.7 billion after experiencing 5.8% gr owth in 2016, and pr edicted to grow by a further 22% to reach £7 billion by 2021.


is


One line of r easoning for this growth is that the garden and outdoors market is one that often pr ospers during tougher economic climates due to consumers tightening purse strings and instead spending money on leisur e time at home. However, there is an ar gument that independent retailers ar e struggling to claim their share of this growing market through rising costs for high quality products. Quality is an important factor for consumers seeking to purchase gar den sundries and tools. T


at home. However r,, ools. Ty Typically


gardening is a pastime for an older mor e affluent audience that is well versed in the ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ philosophy and that want well- known, reliable and recognised brands. Therefore, it is necessary to look further up the supply chain toward the gar den wholesalers that are supplying independent gar den retailers. If the wholesaler cannot secure a cost ef fective deal to distribute, then it is unlikely things will change.


y,, r,,


A recent landmark deal s aw national wholesaler Stax T Centres secure an exciting agreement to become the national distributor t hr ee of E.P.P. Barrus’ garden brands: WOLF-Gar ten, Wilkinson Sword and Town & Co


Stax for To ountry y..


It is a promising sign that through deals such as this, independent r etailers will be able to secure quality


www.diyweek.net Trade Tr


L-R, Matthew Ball (Stax T Centres), Martin


es), Martin Seddon and Chris Noble (Barrus) brands for their customers. Stax’s


re


pur chasing director Simon Wright says there is a need for independent retailers to have access to leading brands: “W e think it’s absolutely essential that independent r etailers aren’t put at a disadvantage when it comes to stocking top brands, more so than ever in the gar den and outdoor market. We r


Wr We e


“We’ e delighted with the deal, which is the first of a number being announced over the coming months. W e pride ourselves on choice, value and pr oviding leading brands at the best prices.”


We e pride ours e pride ours


Growing the business E.P. BarrP.


er Martin Seddon adds: “We delighted to have formed a partner- ship with Stax to supply WOLF- Garten and Wilkinson Sword gar- den tools to the trade.


us’ national sales manag We ar


“This will be added to the con - tinuing supply of T


To P.


us’ national sales manag- e


“The Barrus acquisition of the own & Country brand will allow us to increase our garden pr oduct range and we see Stax as a key partner for our futur e plans.”


Town To Exceptional service


It is critical that independents focus on pr oviding exceptional services and using their size and mobility to their advantage.


If wholesalers such as Stax, which cater largely to independent r etailers, continue to attract the lar ger brands, there is the potential for a mor e even playing field in an increasingly competitive market. Stax T


ax rade CentrT Tr es has been


which has r ecently been added to the E.P. Barrus brand portfolio. We believe that the support of Stax will help us gr ow the business acr oss all our product sectors of gloves, foot wear


ly of Town & Country We


oduct sectors of gloves, foot- r,, garden tools and accessories.


supplying independent retailers and trade professionals for over 30 years, with six nationwide branches and a product stock of more than 45,000 lines. Ranges include outdoor and gardening, tools and har dwar e, building and joinery


ery


decorating and homewares. Celebrating its anniversary this year


r, y,


y,, DIY, electrical and lighting, 100-year


Y, , electrical and lighting, versary this year, E.P. BarrP. us


represents leading brands in a variety of sectors including garden machinery


hinery, garden tools and marine. all (Stax Trade Centres), Mark Hewett (Barrus), Simon Wright (Stax Trade Tr Tr


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28