Black Country manufacturer targets £10m sales with retail investment

A Black Country manufacturer has invested in a major refurbishment of its retail presence as it looks to hit a £10m sales target.

Avanti, which produces kitchen, bedroom and bathrooms, has invested in the makeover to its Brierley Hill showroom to mark the outlet’s 20th anniversary.

The showroom, which features 30 new room mock ups, is intended to become a blueprint for future renovations.

The company is unveiling the new look showroom this weekend as it looks to gather momentum towards its sales target.

Lee Capewell, managing director of Avanti, said: “We are continually listening to what our clients are telling us and they’ve asked for new ways of showcasing our ranges and ‘on trend’ designs that are going to be big in 2017.

“We’ve listened to them and our Level Street showroom is the first in a number of major refurbishments that will create an entirely new retail experience and one we hope will get people coming back time and time again.”

The firm has also created a ‘lifestyle home entertainment studio’, where it has designed furniture to accommodate modern media systems, satellite boxes and surround sound systems.

It is also using virtual reality, with designers at the firm providing CAD visualisations of new room designs.

The firm said the move was a response to customers brought up on TV design shows demanding more bespoke product.

The new showroom, which has taken six months to refurbish, will also house the company’s full range of bedroom furniture, which is made at its factory a short distance away.

Paul Goddard, Head Bathroom Designer, said: “We are really excited about opening our doors and letting customers – both old and new – experience a 21st century showroom that will inspire and challenge in equal measure.”

The firm has said the big ‘on trends’ for 2017 are high gloss, matt, handleless, minimalist kitchens with a ‘less is more’ approach to design and, for bedrooms, the distressed wood effect is in.

Avanti, which has set its sights on becoming the West Midlands’ leading retailer of kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, is currently refurbishing its Aldridge Road showroom in Streetly with view to a summer launch.