Travis Perkins has revealed its intention to extend its ongoing investment programme, reporting it will open up to 50 new branches over the next five years.
The company states that it “plans to grow its market share in the top 50 conurbations by deploying more capable branches and continuing to invest in a market leading digital offering for customers”.
In 2021, the merchant opened two brand new branches, made four relocations and refurbished a further 16 with further investment to come. It says that developing its branch network will mean it can offer better service to customers with “larger and more efficient branches (having) superior range and delivery advantages”.
The new branches were located at Martlesham Heath – which created 16 new jobs and is located over two acres – and at Farnborough, which created 21 new jobs. TP also relocated four branches including Exeter, Minworth, Reading and Taunton. In addition, the merchant opened a click and collect only branch in Kingswinford to support orders placed on its app and website, and a Toolhire hub in Barking, East London which services branches in its local area, and gives them the ability to order different types of product that most branches don’t stock, helping expand branch offering and availability.
The latest project was the redevelopment of the Cheltenham Mead Road branch which now has a bigger and better 2.5 acre site at the same location, with its heavy goods yard due to be finished in Q2, 2022.
To “offer more” to customers, every new branch that opens will include a Tool Hire whilst the brand is also opening 19 new Benchmarx showrooms in 2022 (having opened nine in 2021) within TP branches. Furthermore, digital investment will continue alongside the expansion and modernisation of its physical stores, following the launch of its mobile app for customers.
Kieran Griffin, Managing Director at Travis Perkins, said; “As a business, we are committed to investing in our branch network to help us achieve our overarching goal to efficiently service our customers. Our goal of opening up to 50 new branches over the course of five years will enable us to do that. This investment sits alongside our digital expansion so whether our customers want hands-on colleague experience or a totally digital interaction, and our site modernisation and digital expansion plans mean we will continue to be best placed to serve them.”
