Power tool deal with Makita brings benefits, says marketing director.
Screwfix says it will focus on exclusive product lines, low prices and leading brands to continue building on its strong sales for the year-to-date.

Third quarter results for Screwfix showed sales growth of 28.1% to £117.1m in the 13 weeks ending November 3, 2007.

John Colley, commercial director at Screwfix, said: "Whilst our results are good, there is no doubt that the market is getting tougher and we are having to focus our attention even more on providing high quality, low-cost items to our customers right when they want them."

He went on: "This means adding more exclusive products, offering more low prices and introducing more leading brand names to our product portfolio."

As an example, he said Screwfix has worked with Makita on an exclusive design and manufacture of the SITE range of power tools.

Benefits

"Our partnership with Makita brings outstanding benefits to our customers in that they obtain tools with the ease of use, robustness, precision and reliability that trade professionals demand, but without a hefty price tag," Colley said.

This year, Screwfix which has a 2006/2007 turnover of more than £300m, has continued opening Trade Counters, with 12 outlets opened during the quarter, bringing the total to 85 across the UK.

The Trade Counter opening programme will see 14 branches opened in the fourth quarter.

Each will be supported by a second distribution centre in Stafford, which will be fully operational by the end of the year.

Screwfix also enchanced its website during the quarter by adding more trade links, regular updates, bulk deals, top searches and a 'what's hot' section.