Scottish paint specialist supplier, The Paint Shed, has proved that a click and brick model, with a focus on changing customer demands, is the way forward for retail businesses who want to grow.
The Paint Shed, which supplies a wide range of high quality paint brands to both homeowners and trade customers, launched its first website, thepaintshed.com, in 2010.
Since then, the online side of the business has grown rapidly and now ships all over the UK, with the in-store retail side of the business also expanding to 14 stores across Scotland with a further 5-7 scheduled by 2021.
Forecasted turnover is £8.5m this year up from £7m in 2018 and £4.7m in 2016.
Priding itself on customer service, over the last 60 years The Paint Shed has had to continually evolve its business model to meet changing customer needs in the turbulent retail environment.
Michael Rolland, Managing Director of The Paint Shed explains “We have always put our customers at the heart of our planning and have designed a retail experience over the years that is tailored to them. The digital evolution we now see in our daily lives hasn’t fully reached the paint industry yet but we are leading the way to creating that avenue for customers to shop with us locally and across the UK”
The Paint Shed has understood the growing demand from retail customers for quick and convenient access to a wide range of products and to expert advice and support.
Michael explains “We understand that online retailing has raised the bar when it comes to customer service. Our customers expect to order products when and where they need them, at their convenience. Our website provides our customers with a variety of purchasing options including in store, online or over the phone. Our customers also want advice and support when it comes to picking the right paint for their home or for their own clients and we have paint experts in our stores and available by phone, people who really understand the product. This gives them the ability to shop for their needs, whether our customers need speed and convenience or dedicated support and advice, and to ultimately purchase the products they need at the best price”
The Paint Shed’s Board advisor, Graeme Bissett, previously Group Finance Director of Kwik Fit and Ex-Chairman of online tyre retailer Blackcircles.com comments “I have been very impressed by the approach taken by Michael and the team at The Paint Shed to ensuring digital and physical stores work side by side to meet the individual needs of the customer. With this model now working, the business is well-placed for its next phase of growth.”
