Drones fuel Maplin Electronics’ £237m sales
ELECTRONICS firm Maplin has reported strong growth of 6.3%, with sales of £237m for the year.
On a like-for-like basis, sales grew by 4.3%, marking the company’s strongest sales growth since 2008 and six consecutive quarters of positive growth.
Drones were the big hit of the past 12 months according to the firm, with sales of over 10,000 units, followed closely by CCTV cameras.
Product innovation in categories including drones, CCTV cameras, portable power, powerline adaptors and the 3Doodler rank in Maplin’s top 10 sellers.
John Cleland, chief executive officer at Rotherham-based Maplin, said: “This has been another positive year’s performance for Maplin. It’s been a great team effort and I would like to thank all of our colleagues for the commitment they have shown in putting our customers first.
“The results show that our focus on improving the Maplin product and service proposition, along with our commitment to the best customer experience, are all working extremely well.”
Maplin’s internet channels recorded full year growth of 20.6%, now representing almost 10% of total sales, and the firm has tripled its product range in 2 years.
Maplin has nearly tripled its product range in just two years, from 15,000 products or SKUs in 2013 to 36,000 SKUs in 2014 to 44,000 in 2015.
The electronics firm’s portfolio of 218 shops, meanwhile, grew by four core stores located in Perth, Ayr, Paisley and Selly Oak
Two new trial formats were launched in the year in the form of a small 1,000sq ft travel hub in Glasgow Airport and Maplin’s first trade counter in Sheffield.
Mr Cleland concluded: “Whilst there has been substantial investment in changing Maplin, the improvement in profitability is encouraging and gives us a really strong platform for continued future growth.
“In the year ahead we will continue to unite our sales and service channels for the best customer journey and will continue to invest in the help and advice our colleagues provide, as well as continuing to support product innovation.
“These are very exciting times for Maplin, and again I am so proud of what our colleagues have done to change and improve the Maplin customer experience.”
