Shopfloor RETAILER PROFILE
Q: Your sons play a huge part in the business at the moment. How important is this for you as they gradually take over in the years ahead? AR: Before they finished school the boys said they would like to come and work for us and it has been a huge learning curve for all of us, but they are both extremely focused and very determined to do well. We are so excited for them and their futures ahead! GR: Although Ailsa and I are trying to take a step back, we are still forward thinking for our sons’ sakes. We have considered moving the location of our St Andrews store in the next couple of years, so we’ll see them through that change so we’re not throwing them in the deep end!
32 Dougal Redford Finlay Redford
Not every retailer has this opportunity and we are very fortunate that Finlay and Dougal have such a passion for the business. Our outlook now is so different compared to five years ago when we thought we would just wind down the business. But now Hosies is able to keep growing and we look forward to witnessing its development in the years ahead.
‘Hosies is the perfect business to enjoy this new shop-in-shop format’
This Summer, work was completed on a large new Smeg display zone and demo kitchen in Hosies Broughty Ferry, with range cookers, hobs, ovens, dishwashers and even Smeg’s new cookware range. The retailer has now become one of the brand’s Premio Partners – in fact, the only one in Scotland. Kris Horley, Head of Independent Kitchen and Electrical Retail at Smeg UK, explains that the Premio scheme supports certain retailers to enable them to offer a point of difference in the marketplace and a support package for mutual growth. “Hosies is the perfect business to enjoy this new shop-in-shop format,” he says. “It’s a big investment for us, but one that is important to create more lifestyle stores with working showrooms to offer customers a memorable shopping experience.” At the grand opening, there were drinks and a live band and Smeg’s Home Economists hosted cooking events – something that Mr and Mrs Redford are hoping to repeat in the future in order to create an attraction in the town.
Kris Horley: We invested in Hosies initially about three years ago but we chose to further this to help drive the business forward. It’s given us the opportunity to try these cooking events and product demo days as that’s what Smeg is all about – we are a touchy feely brand and we strongly believe in that in-store theatre. Ailsa Redford: Smeg products are really ones to get in front of customers to showcase the quality and this helps to bring in younger consumers as well, which is a priority for us these days. I feel that young people don’t realise the benefits of bricks and mortar stores – they
The new Smeg display zone and demo kitchen in Broughty Ferry
just think that online is cheaper. But in store they’ll get the right product for their needs and it’s all delivered and installed with after sales service if it’s required. KH: One thing that Hosies really knows is how to look after its customers; the team always goes that extra mile for them and at Smeg we really believe in that mentality. We are looking for retail partners that can support us as much as we will support them. Graeme Redford: Kris and his team have really been behind us these past few years and I think it’s so important to work closely with your brands; we’ve all got the same goals at the end of the day, and they see good practice with other retailers so ideas can be shared around to help everyone be successful.
One of the cooking events with Clare Edwards from Smeg
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