Introduction:
The pandemic has been tough on businesses of all sizes, but Toolstation, a major supplier of tools, building materials, and accessories in the UK, has managed to hold onto its growth momentum. Toolstation saw increased demand for its products during the pandemic as more people took up DIY projects to pass the time during lockdown. The company has also been successful in its digital transformation with increased online sales and added more than 50 new branches in the past year. In this blog post, we’ll explore how Toolstation has managed to stay ahead of the curve in a challenging market.
Digital Transformation
Like most businesses, Toolstation has had to adapt to the digital age. The company initially started as a catalog-based business before moving online. In recent years, Toolstation has invested heavily in its digital infrastructure, including a new app and a mobile-friendly website. This has helped to provide a better customer experience and keep customers engaged. The results speak for themselves as online sales have skyrocketed, with 51% of all sales coming from mobile devices. Additionally, Toolstation increased its e-commerce range in 2020, providing an additional 2000 items to its online store.
New Branches
Toolstation has continued its expansion and is now the fourth largest supplier of building materials and tools in the UK with over 400 branches. The key to Toolstation’s success is its strategic location of its stores that attracts both professional and DIY customers. The company has expanded its reach extensively in the past year, adding more than 50 new branches. The opening of new branches was crucial to keep up with the demand of its growing customer base, who preferred to shop in-store. Furthermore, Toolstation’s Pro-Trade loyalty card scheme has helped it to forge stronger relationships with its customers.
Customer Experience
Toolstation has always placed huge emphasis on customer experience, especially in-store. The company has taken strict measures to abide by the COVID-19 guidelines, ensuring the safety of both its customers and staff. The company has embraced technology, investing in self-checkout tills to cater to customers who prefer a contactless shopping experience. Toolstation has also introduced next-day delivery for local customers through its click-and-collect service, making the shopping experience quicker and more efficient.
Marketing Campaigns
Toolstation has been running successful marketing campaigns for years. The company focuses on marketing to its target customers, and its campaigns are simple yet effective. Toolstation is the sponsor of the English Football League, which offers a national spotlight to the company. It has also invested in TV advertising and direct mail campaigns to reach its target audience. In 2020, Toolstation’s Christmas campaign was a success, which aimed to inspire customers to take up DIY projects at home. Additionally, Toolstation has an active social media presence, constantly updating its customers on new items and promotions.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Toolstation has remained incredibly successful despite the challenges caused by the pandemic. The company’s investment in technology and expansion of its network has made it a trusted favorite in the tools and building materials market. The company’s constant focus on providing excellent customer experiences is what has kept so many for its customers appreciate the care is taken to maintain safety in-store. Its marketing campaigns have been effective in targeting customers and retaining them too. Looking to the future, we can expect Toolstation to continue to grow and remain a popular choice for its customer base.
English