Back in March of this year (2024), we were thrilled to announce the reopening of our Northampton branch! After relocating to a significantly larger site and undergoing a comprehensive renovation, the new branch was able to offer a much-improved shopping experience for our customers, with a wider range of products and improved facilities.
As mentioned in our "Northampton Grand Opening" press release at the time, the new branch, now occupying some 53,375 sq. ft, boasts a state-of-the-art trade counter and expanded yard and warehouse facilities. Having outgrown its existing site, this relocation allowed us to better serve our customer base by offering greater stock levels and an extended product range, including our much-in-demand ULTRA3 sewer drainage system.
However, none of this would have been possible without the hard work of numerous teams within JDP and the generous support from many of our most valued suppliers. It is their contributions that we want to highlight in this article to celebrate the success of our collective efforts and the power of collaboration.
Why was the renovation needed?
The Northampton branch had been serving the local community for many years. However, due to space limitations, the product range on offer was too restricted, and the branch itself felt quite cramped. The renovation project aimed to address these issues by expanding the branch footprint, increasing the stock capacity, and enhancing the site's overall functionality.
How was it achieved?
Bigger is only better if it is used properly, and without careful planning and management, all that extra space could have gone to waste. Thankfully, our highly experienced category and stock management teams were more than up to the task and worked closely with the branch manager and network managers to help ensure a smooth relocation, renovation, and restocking process.
Though often working quietly in the background to support our branch network, these teams are instrumental in their success. Able to analyse facts and figures from across the country to see what works where, they can help the branches source the best products for their customers, and that is exactly what they did for the Northampton project. Here's a glimpse into the key steps involved:
- Stock Profile Expansion: A thorough analysis of the branch's sales data and direct sales figures helped identify gaps in the current stock profile. Products like our Floplast and Concrete ranges, which were previously unavailable due to space constraints, were added to cater to customer demand.
- Introducing New Product Ranges: The renovation also presented an opportunity to introduce new product ranges to the Northampton branch. Portwest and Toolbank products were incorporated into the stock profile, providing customers with a wider selection of choices.
- Strategic Supplier Collaboration: Our team proactively contacted suppliers to negotiate favourable initial stock order discounts. Thankfully, JFC, Naylor, FP McCann, and many others really came through for us, helping us to not only reduce costs but also ensure a well-stocked branch on opening day.
- Streamlined Operations: Close collaboration between the stock control team and the branch manager played a vital role in establishing efficient ordering processes and delivery schedules to meet customer needs.
- Enhanced customer experience: Throughout the renovation project, our primary focus remained on delivering the best possible outcome for our Northampton branch customers. The renovation created a more modern and spacious shopping environment for our customers, making it an easier and more pleasant shopping experience.
Regular meetings were held throughout the renovation to ensure all parties were on the same page and that the project stayed on track. While there were many challenges to face, this close collaboration effort helped the teams overcome them all to great success.
What was the outcome?
The Northampton branch reopened to much fanfare and free cakes on [insert date]. Our customers have been pleased with the expanded product range and improved facilities, and the branch is already requesting additional items to be added to the inventory, reflecting the strong customer demand for the wider product selection.
We are confident that the Northampton branch renovation will continue to be a success story, and we look forward to serving our customers there for many years to come. By listening to their needs and continuing to expand our product range, we are committed to providing exceptional service and supporting their building projects.
Visit Us Today!
We invite the Northampton community to visit our newly renovated branch and explore the exciting range of products and services we offer. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always happy to assist you with your building and construction needs.
View Northampton Branch Page
