£1.25 million month of sales
Pennine Home Improvements (part of the Conservatory Outlet Group) achieved more than £1.25 million of orders in 28 days following “a massive surge in homeowner spending” – its best-ever sales month in its 43-year history.
The firm passed this impressive milestone with its two showrooms in Durham and Newcastle closed due to the Covid lockdown, switching from face-to-face meetings to a new digital approach.
Clients used video calls, a 3D virtual reality package, and a new design app that allows them to see how conservatory products, doors, extensions and windows could look from the comfort of their own homes.
“Our team never fails to amaze and they have done it again with February sales up 25% on the same time last year, all of this achieved through online communication and adhering to Covid measures,” Nigel Morris, sales director of Pennine Home Improvements, said.
“Despite customers not being able to set foot in any of our showrooms, we have still been able to satisfy their desire to use the money saved from not going out to accelerate improvements to the home.
“This has seen people decide to change windows, buy new front doors and, tellingly, press the button on major extensions. There’s a pent-up demand and we’ve been able to meet it head on by using digital technology to help clients plan and bring our products and plans to life through virtual reality.
“Our order book for the rest of 2021 is extremely strong and we’re on track to increase turnover by 50% by 2024.”
Jonathan Young, managing director of Pennine Home Improvements, said: “Covid hasn’t stopped us investing in other areas of the business and I’m proud to say we’ve strengthened our apprenticeship scheme to recruit the next generation of tradespeople.”