Matalan is accelerating its store refurbishment programme after its first phase proved a huge success – and the fashion and homewares giant has also hired a new leader for its global growth plans.
Merseyside-based Matalan has refurbished 30 stores this year as part of a £25m five-year investment in its bricks-and-mortar estate. The company’s chief retail officer Katherine Davis says those refreshed stores have seen footfall rise “significantly” since reopening and are now outperforming the wider Matalan estate by 14% in sales terms.
Stores in places including Rhyl, Hull and Wrexham are reporting sales up 20% on the same period last year, while customer satisfaction scores are also up. Now Matalan plans to refit 40 stores next year – 10 more than originally planned.
The upgrades will include simplified layouts and better signage, “brighter and more inviting” interiors, new signage and lighting in car parks, and more concession partnerships with brands including Little Mistress, Blue Vanilla and Quiz.
Katherine Davis, chief retail officer at Matalan, said: “Whether it’s brighter interiors, faster tills or a nicer experience parking your car, we’re listening and investing in what matters most to our customers. The results speak for themselves – higher footfall, happier shoppers and even more compelling reasons to visit your local Matalan.
“This all ladders up to delivering a better experience for our customers – as well as our colleagues on the shop floor – and winning market share, which is central to our ambitious business transformation.”
Matalan has also announced that Steve Ridehalgh has been appointed as its director of international to lead Matalan’s global growth plans “as part of the second phase of Matalan’s turnaround”. He has significant experience in overseas expansion and franchise development having led global growth at Oasis and Warehouse.
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