The tile chain took home the accolade for Excellence in Retail at the annual awards ceremony, in “recognition of its efforts to improve tile retailing”, says the TTA.

Detailing the reason for N&C’s win, the TTA explained that the retailer’s brand positioning of ‘quality products at affordable prices’ is reflected in the design of its stores, the in-store communications, the products sold “and the long-standing price promise to customers”.

Part of the Nicholls & Clarke Group, N&C Tiles and Bathrooms operates 18 branches nationwide, carrying thousands of tile and bathroom product lines. The company has continued to expand over the years, opening five new branches in the past eight years. Year-on-year, sales have also grown, with the company reporting “exponential increases from 2017 to 2018”.

Last year also saw a significant step change in the design of N&C’s stores. The firm relocated its showroom in Stevenage, whilst its New Southgate showroom was rebuilt after it was devastated by a fire in May 2018. Hard work and dedication from the retail team saw a mobile temporary showroom erected within 48 hours of the fire, so that sales were “barely affected”, as customer orders were still being processed. 

The open space at New Southgate allowed N&C to design a store layout with a greater number of room sets for customers to experience, with greater exposure to tiles and bathrooms in their environment. The company increased the investment in inspirational lifestyle imagery to enable customers to envisage their new space. It also designed and produced new stands that better showcase the product collections and a newly-developed Creative Hub that better helps to inspire customers. These improvements have now set the standard for all of the chain’s retail sites.

In recognition of its achievements, N&C Bathrooms & Tiles picked up its award at the TTA’s gala awards at the Hilton Metropole Birmingham, where accolades were presented across 17 categories.  

For more on the tiles and tiling sector, read the June 14 issue of DIY Week, out on Friday. Don’t receive DIY Week? Sign up here