Shopfloor RETAILER PROFILE: MARTINS OF HAWKHURST
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‘We’re making a big name for ourselves’
ERT Award-winning retailer, Martins of Hawkhurst, is marking its 50th anniversary. After a busy year with kitchen sales, Director, John Martin, tells Jack Cheeseman that he hopes to organise some birthday celebrations before the year is out!
Nestled away in the rural Kent village of Hawkhurst, independent electrical retailer Martins of Hawkhurst is celebrating its 50th anniversary; it’s been based in the same building almost since it began, on one of the busiest roads in the village. The showroom has developed a lot over the years and today it’s an impressive kitchen and appliance store. So much so that last year the company picked up the trophy for Best Independent Kitchen Retailer Showroom at the ERT Awards! Not looking to stand still, however, there
are plans to refurbish parts of the building and include new brand displays. And once this is done the retailer will open its doors to customers and the local community to host a series of events to mark its milestone birthday. “We definitely want to have a bit of a party,” confirms Director, John Martin. “It will be nice to say thank you to our customers and we’d definitely look to get local people involved, maybe a politician or the Mayor! “We’ll get some food going in the ovens but I think we’d use caterers to do the serving so our staff can actually mingle with the guests!
Hopefully this will create a buzz around the village and people will talk about us, which is all good exposure of course.” Mr Martin’s Father and Uncle started the business in 1973 and Mr Martin joined in 1992 as a delivery driver; it was meant to be a temporary job but he’s been there ever since – despite a few years working as an Area Sales Manager for BSH, where he says he learnt a lot. Today, Mr Martin and his Brother-in-Law own and run Martins of Hawkhurst. It sells a range of brands in store and on its website; it has been a Miele dealer and service agent
since day one, and it also works very closely with BSH. More recently it has added Fisher & Paykel and Liebherr to its portfolio. The retailer also sells fully-fitted kitchens, offering a free design service and either supply-only or full installation using subcontracted fitters. Its kitchen brands include Chippendale, Sheraton, Mobilturi and Beeck. “It’s about having consistency with each manufacturer,” adds Mr Martin. “And we respect the prices, so we don’t go online and sell for silly prices just to try and turn over some products – that doesn’t do anybody any favours.
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