February 2021 ertonline.co.uk


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is our priority. From the start of our financial year – 1 April – we’ve been shut for around 50 per cent of the time. It is a testament to all my staff that we have kept going in the way that we have. “Euronics has been brilliant too – because of the


pandemic, the supply chain has been exceptionally challenging and to keep Agents furnished with product in the way they have is a tribute to the strength and depth of the group.” Has Harris Electrical been hit by the supply issues


caused by the pandemic? “It’s not been great,” Ms Harris replies. “We’ve had to process a few refunds and be more insightful in our forward ordering process. We’ve definitely missed sales to the competition, but to balance that out we’ve had customers coming to us saying, ‘I need a fridge- freezer – I’ve just been to Currys and they haven’t got a single thing to sell me’. I feel that the balance is much more in our favour and we have won hearts and minds with good service. “Considering the overall effect on the economy


and the tragic consequences of the pandemic, our trade has been quite positive,” she continues. “In the 2019/20 trading year we won quite a few commercial contracts, but during the first lockdown, builders weren’t allowed to open, which hurt us a little bit. “We’ve still been busy with everyday customers


who are buying appliances for their homes. Black Friday wasn’t as strong for us, as our showroom was shut – we normally generate quite a lot of sales in- between Christmas and New Year, but we missed out on that in 2020.”


Kitchen furniture


Harris Electrical has also diversified into other areas – its Hackney showroom now sells kitchen furniture after going into partnership with another family business, Balau Kitchens, four years ago. Says Ms Harris: “The synergies between us are


obvious, particularly as the area is seeing an influx of new residents with good disposable income. Since


So how does Ms Harris feel about the


year ahead? “It didn’t start that well,” she admits, having caught Coronavirus, but was fortunate to only have a mild case. She is


lockdown, they’ve had their busiest trading period. It’s worked out well for us and it attracts a different type of clientele into the store.” Harris Electrical has adopted the new-look


Euronics fascia and corporate identity for its stores too, which, says Ms Harris, is a vast improvement. On the benefits of being a Euronics Agent, she


adds: “I think the framework is an interesting incentive to drive us to be inventive in seeking new business – it’s a real help. The Agency products help with margin. The Euronics online sales over Christmas and New Year were amazing – I believe that’s down to the advertising with Nick Knowles. I think it’s the best they’ve ever done.” Ms Harris also highlights other advantages,


including selling the exclusive Blomberg appliance brand and the collective buying power of the Group. “We are like a family – we’re all friends and we all


try to help each other. I’m always on the phone to other Agents and we bounce ideas off one another.”


A multi-channel business


Harris Electrical is predominantly a domestic appliance retailer (with only a small selection of brown goods) but it also works with local councils and when the retailer took over City Domestic its presence with estate agents increased further. It replaces non-repairable appliances and it has in- house teams working on built-in installations. Most of the retailer’s business comes through its


stores, rather than online. “We do get a lot of traffic on the website, but it’s not fully translating to large volume sales yet – we only really sell Agency products on it,” explains Ms Harris. The company’s big drive in 2021 is to get all its products online and Megan has taken charge of the social media channels.


trying to grow the business and she doesn’t rule out buying more stores or businesses: “I’m on the lookout for any opportunity that can help us expand our business footprint.” Reflecting on being a local independent retailer in


the heart of London’s East End, Ms Harris says: “The area feels vibrant and there’s a lot of life here – a real buzz. I love what I do.”


“Euronics online sales over Christmas and New Year were amazing – I think that’s down to the advertising with Nick Knowles, which is the best they’ve ever done.”


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