Yorkshire-headquartered bathroom retailer, Easy Bathrooms, has opened ten new stores – equalling an investment of more than £1m – and grown its headcount by 70 in the four months since COVID-19 lockdown restrictions were lifted.
The £50m-turnover brand, founded in Leeds in 2012, now has 60 stores nationally and employs more than 420 people – 180 of which are Yorkshire-based. Ten-year leases have been signed on a further ten showrooms across the UK, which are set to open by the end of the year, meaning the brand will have 70 showrooms by 2021 – more than any other bathroom retailer.
The firm saw a turnover of £33m in 2019, which is set to grow by 52% in 2020 to £50m. Further growth and an additional recruitment drive are expected in 2021.
Easy Bathrooms’ growth trajectory comes at a period when many other physical and online bathroom brands are struggling.
Craig Waddington, founder and managing director, said that the company had seen an uplift in online sales in lockdown. He commented: “During the COVID-19 lockdown, we were able to leverage the demand for DIY home renovation, whilst simultaneously increasing our product offering.
“The retail landscape has changed, but there are still opportunities available, and we are grabbing them with both hands. For example, prime retail property space is becoming vacant, and we are being approached directly by agents to take these units on. As we grow our network of showrooms, we become a more nationally recognisable name, which bolsters our reputation and supports all areas of the business, including the trade side.
“It is a very exciting time for the business, with strong results, and we are proud to be able to create employment opportunities during the pandemic.”
Staff have also been recruited at Easy Bathrooms’ head office in Birstall, including two new faces in the contracts team; Gary Smith and Mike Moore, alongside eCommerce assistant, Jamie Waite, and sales administrator, Amina Bruce.
Eight new warehouse assistants and three new delivery drivers have also been appointed to support demand, as products are delivered from Yorkshire to developments and homes across the UK.
