B&Q to open first 'small format' store in London
Published: 16 February 2017 - Jenny Wonnacott
DIY giant B&Q will be opening its first 3,000sq ft 'small format' store on Holloway Road, London, next month.
B&Q's first 'small format' store will open on March 10 on Holloway Road, North London
The store is said to be aimed at the casual home improver and aims to go head to head with independent DIY stores in a bid to serve locals' tools and hardware needs. The store will not be stocking building materials, wood-cutting or 'Trade Point' counters found in B&Q's larger stores.
The opening has been earmarked for March 10. A B&Q spokesperson said, “The trial store will be just over 3,000 sq ft in size, and will provide customers with an offer focused on home décor, repair and maintenance, with a suite of supporting services.
“B&Q will also enable customers access to its full range of over 35,000 products via home delivery and click & collect.”
The new store is part of the mass 'One Kingfisher' strategy outlined by Kingfisher chief executive Veronique Laury in 2015. The company's ethos includes “achieving significant benefits from developing a more common, unique and effective offer” and points out “there is no one clear, winning format or channel in our market today.”