Essential reading for retailers and suppliers in the home improvement market

B&Q invites suppliers to pitch at Innovation Open Day

Published: 11 March 2014
Suppliers are being given a chance to pitch to B&Q later this month at a special Innovation and New Products Open Day.
B&Q invites suppliers to pitch at Innovation Open Day
The event, which takes place at the B&Q head office in Eastleigh, Hampshire on Tuesday March 25, will be a Dragon's Den style day, giving applicants a five-minute slot to present their concept to the relevant buying team.

B&Q's Graham Horne said: "As a business we're constantly striving to find ways to provide our customers with innovative products to make their lives easier.

"We believe this day is a great opportunity for people with well-thought-through and polished ideas to come in and meet the right people in a setting they might not usually come across".

Applicants should email vendor.management@b-and-q.co.uk to confirm attendance, being sure to include company name and address, name of attendees, contact phone number and a brief description of the idea.

Comments

13 May 2019 08:42:34
Abid

Hi, 

Will there also be an open Innovation day for 2019?

Thanks

Abid

23 April 2019 14:07:51
Gel

Brian,

do you really think responding to a 5 year old story here is the way to go?
It isn't.
You need to presevere on the old dog & bone to make contact with correct people in the Buying Team.

21 April 2019 09:28:08
B&Q bob

Here's an innovation om your own shopfloor, try sending us in the stock we currently stock so we can sell it. We never have enough stock in tools and power tools, and you let screwfix have better deals and more interesting promotions. 

18 April 2019 17:01:16
Brian Eacersall

Hi B & Q innovations Team.

I have already sent in an e-mail outlining my design using the request to become a supplier route.

However I feel this is the wrong way of approaching you. So to whom would I  present my idea?

I have in mind that the design would be manufactured by one of your chosen people. The design 

uses a lot of your materials.

Yours sincerely 

Brian Eacersall Freelance Designer

16 June 2017 12:16:18
Mike A ..

Having been involved in many new product innovations and acheived over $1bn at retail with them, the large format stores are the last place that you should take any new idea, they will not single source your items and you will be forced through distribution , promotion and in-store activity will be limited, in the event that the product is a sucess they will then get the China office to resource this directly, or have one of their preferred suppliers to source this , so at your own risk  , if the idea is good  try kick-starter or another form to take to market , in the event that you beleive they are the source get them to sign a non compete lasting 7 years covering your idea including any variants.

08 June 2017 15:50:02
Raymond Scott

hello i have previously written to but unfortunately have had no reply, anyway along with two friends we have come up with an idea for brand new product which has not been thought of before , it useful in the home ,garden and also would be a great asset at outdoor events such as carnivals and the like, local authorities would find it invaluable and it would work all over the world . we are reluctant to reveal exactly what our idea is at the moment and i apologise for being so vague at present but we feel that we must protect our idea. we would love to meet with you to discuss how we can work possibly together on this ,we have tested this idea for two years now and feel very confident about it. my name is Ray Scott please phone 07943 702044 thank you in advance

03 April 2017 07:47:32
Ron Wilkinson
I have just seen this ! Please could some one get back to me with regards me being able to present my idea to you soon.
27 March 2017 10:25:08
Chaminda Lankagama

We are an electrical engineering compay and a shet metal fabricator. 

we can provide customiezed products and also standared sheet metal enclosures with CE standards. 

you can find us on www.emp.lk

 

looking forward to hear from you 

Published prior to March 2014
By Carina
I am very excited to find B&Q, it fell like i find soulmate. May we be supplier for B&Q.
What we provide is what you sell- GAS SHUT OFF TIMER which is an innovative products to make their lives easier see http://www.x-peri.com

Or may anyboday can help to find ways to be supplier of B&Q? Many Thanks
Published prior to March 2014
By Insider
Hi Ian,

As well as trying to make contact with B&Q it may be a good idea to contact manufacturer's within the industry/trade you're work within.
I work for a manufacturer and we regularly meet inventors and their products to see if we're interested in taking on their products.
you may get more joy than dealing with B&Q, who if they take the product will likely source it themselves if it starts to perform well, and ultimately cut you out.
Published prior to March 2014
By Ian Loveday
Hi, I have obviously missed this opportunity to pitch my idea to your innovation team but would like to know if I could have another chance at a later date .
I have really good hopes for my product as I work in the industry to which it refers and know there is nothing currently on the market .
I can easily see many thousands of this product being sold across the globe , would be great to hear from you on this matter , many thanks Ian

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