44
NOVEMBER 2016 PRO INSTALLER
PRO BUSINESS
www.proinstaller.co.uk
SUCCESSFUL
YEAR FOR TOPPS
Topps Tiles continues to make good progress with
its strategy of ‘out-specialising the specialists.’
In total, more than 50
new ranges have been
launched this year with
sales from recently
launched lines accounting for 12.8 per cent
of total sales in the
period.
Revenues for the 52-week
period are expected to be in
the region of £215 million
(2015: £212.2 million over
53 weeks). Like-for-like revenues are expected to show
an increase of around 4.2
per cent on the prior year
(2015: +5.4 per cent).
Like-for-like revenues in
the 13 weeks ended 1st October 2016 were ahead by
1.4 per cent. It is estimated
that the previously announced strategic decision
to exit from the low margin
wood flooring category dur-
ing the quarter reduced Q4
like-for-like sales by about
1.5 per cent. This impact
will reduce over Q1 FY2017
as sales from Topps new
range of larger format tiles
builds.
Adjusted pre-tax profits for
the year ending 1st October
2016 are expected to be
within the range of current
market estimates.
The business has made specific initiatives including:
Inspiration – Topps trade
loyalty scheme continued
to grow with over 40,000
traders now regularly
participating. The business
has now launched its new
digital loyalty scheme which
will increase opportunities
to capitalise further on the
‘do it for me trend’ in the
UK tile market.
Range – As a result of
in-store space freed up
from the exit of the wood
flooring category Topps
is now introducing new
and exclusive ranges of
tiles, such as its new XL
range, which will meet the
growing demand for even
larger tiles and also allow
Topps to improve overall
returns.
Convenience – In the
core estate Topps opened
five stores during the quarter. The group is currently
trading from 351 stores including 15 boutique stores
(2015: 348 stores including
13 boutique stores).
Matthew Williams, chief
executive officer, said: “I
am pleased to report on a
successful year for Topps,
where we grew sales to a
new record, through our
proven strategy of ‘Out Specialising the Specialists’.
“Whilst market conditions weakened over the
final quarter as a result of
reduced levels of consumer
confidence, Topps remains
confident in its ability to
outperform the market and
deliver our goal of further
profitable sales growth.”
www.toppstiles.co.uk
Source: www.insightdiy.co.uk
TOOLS AT THE READY
IronmongeryDirect is
launching an exciting new
campaign to find the ‘Tool
Trickster of 2016’.
As part of the campaign,
tradespeople across the UK
are invited to show off their
best tool tricks, whether that is
hammer flips, slick trowel spins,
kicks, catches or any other impressive tricks, as long as they
are safe.
To be in with a chance of becoming the ‘Tool Trickster of 2016’ the
potential candidate needs to prove
his or her skills by sending a
video clip of their trick. In return,
IronmongeryDirect will give the
winner 15 minutes of fame and
the ‘Tool Trickster’ title!
Glen Eckett, search marketing
manager at IronmongeryDirect,
said: “We want to make people
take five minutes out of their day
and have some fun with this. We
are looking for skills that will
blow us away – the kind of stuff
that’s good enough for Britain’s
Got Talent would be incredible.
It’s a chance to bring the trade
community together and show just
how talented they are.”
To submit a clip, visit http://
www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/
research/tool-trickster-2016/