B&Q rolls out new store format and plans one hour click-and-collect

The retailer launched its first new concept store at its 140,000 sq ft Cribbs Causeway branch in Bristol in June, the first of four stores that combine the best design elements from across B&Q-owner Kingfisher’s group.

The store, which was designed by a team of Kingfisher employees from the UK, France, Poland and Russia, forms part of chief executive Veronique Laury’s ‘One Kingfisher’ strategy, which aims to unify the DIY giant’s global business.

B&Q chief executive Michael Loeve told the Retail Week Interiors Summit that it would roll out the concept to 10 stores by the end of its current financial year in March.

“We’re trialling it in different catchment areas to see how shoppers react,” he said.

Loeve said he was keen to get to a stage where the payback on store refits was healthy enough to trigger a full roll-out.

Revamping B&Q’s ‘tired’ stores

Loeve admitted that B&Q had “lost a bit of focus” in terms of store design and said shops had started to look “fairly functional” and “a little bit tired”.

He described the new store design as brighter and more visual, with better in-store navigation and more shop-in-shops.

Meanwhile, Loeve said B&Q – which revealed plans to close 65 stores last year – is looking to open new stores, particularly in and around London.

Speedy collection

Loeve also revealed that B&Q is set to launch a one hour click-and-collect service next year. The move has been enabled by the introduction of a unified IT system across the Kingfisher business earlier this year.

B&Q’s sister retailer Screwfix has pioneered speedy collection and allows its tradesmen customers to collect online orders in just five minutes.

Loeve also hinted that the IT system would spur more innovation from the Kingfisher group and said it planned to introduce “digital services not seen in the market before”.