#retailweek

Source: Retail Week UK | 02 February 2017

UK’s Retail Week one-on-one interview with PJ Davis shedding insights at the launch of the Homebase conversation to Bunnings in St Albans.

As Bunnings opens its first UK store, managing director PJ Davis unveils his vision for the home improvement retailer.

Australian giant Bunnings marched onto the UK DIY scene after its parent company Wesfarmers acquired Homebase last year.

Almost a year later, having axed the former Homebase leadership team and relocated to new headquarters in Milton Keynes, the retailer has completed the first store conversion and opened the doors to a Bunnings Warehouse in St Albans.

Bunnings UK and Ireland managing director spoke to Retail Week before the first store opened about his plans to ultimately transform the 265-unit Homebase estate.

He revealed the location of the next two pilot stores, and also opened up about Brexit, how the business plans to mitigate inflationary pressures, and deliver on its “lowest price” promise.

Our exciting new design for The Original Factory Shop’s new out of town format is now open and trading.....

The UK's favourite parcel delivery company DPD has been honoured at two different award ceremonies in London, within the space of a few hours.

DPD collected two highly coveted industry awards winning the Transport & Automotive category at the 2014 UK Customer Experience Awards and then just a few hours later; the Supply Chain Collaboration category at the prestigious Retail Week Supply Chain Awards.

Now in their fifth year, the UK Customer Experience Awards celebrate and promote excellence in customer experience. DPD beat off stiff competition from Arriva Bus, Zenith and Gap Group to win the UK Customer Experience Award, recognising the exceptional service DPD gives its customers.

Meanwhile, judges of the Retail Week Supply Chain Awards were impressed by the strength of DPD's partnership with fashion retailer ASOS, commenting:

"The winners of this category epitomise first class collaboration. The strong partnership is a win-win for both parties, with the distribution company getting insight and drive to develop services, and the retailer benefitting from first to market services. In turn, the retailer has reaped the rewards in the shape of extra business, extended cut off times and massive improvements to its supply chain."

DPD was also commended for its innovative 'Retail Hub' solution which means that ASOS customers can order up to 10pm and still get a next day delivery from DPD across the UK. Runners-up in this hotly contested category included DHL, M&S, Wincanton, Norbert Dentressangle and Shop Direct.

Dwain McDonald, DPD's CEO, said: "It's fantastic to win two such prestigious awards and it proves that DPD has the most dedicated and customer-centric people in the industry. Giving companies like ASOS an exceptional delivery experience keeps their customers coming back for more and demonstrates just how key delivery is in the online retail market.

"We've had an amazing run of award wins in the last couple of years - but we never sit back and relax - we come back and we work out how to improve things again. That's how businesses and retailers differentiate us in the market - we are always talking to them about the next service improvement or the latest technical innovation to ensure we stay ahead of the competition and continue to give them the best service in the industry."