I’ve been talking – in a recent post, and in my book, The Heart of the Home – about visiting competitors’ (and non-competitors’) showrooms.
A while ago, a senior manager at one of the sheds told me that her company had been inspired to upgrade its showrooms by Wren’s. Whether the right word is “inspired” or “provoked,” that seems plausible.
Three such showrooms have impressed me recently. A Magnet near Olympia – I wandered in there after the Ideal Home Show – had been re-fitted since my previous visit and had a cool, sharp atmosphere, like a little independent; B&Q in Dover is much smaller than the one I worked in over a decade ago, but was really well turned out; and Wickes in Ashford has had a major re-fit, including turning the front doors to face the car park (duh), and has replaced and expanded its KBB showroom to a high standard.
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