Wickes

Store Development

Antone continues to project manage, manufacture and install retail fixtures as part of a highly successful store transformation programme for Wickes.

Client relationship

Ongoing since 2015

PROJECT TYPE

Batch production rollout

LOCATION

150+ stores

Project overview

The story

Proud to have successfully completed over 150 stores since the initial new concept development in 2015. We continue to support Wickes with batch manufacturing fixtures to fulfil a vigorous refit programme. We were honoured to receive the Travis Perkins award for ‘Direct Sub-contractor of The Year 2017’.

The brief

A fast-paced three months of development, prototyping and instore trials to launch the new concept. Working closely with Wickes and a design agency to ensure the displays followed the design principles and fulfilled merchandising needs. Importance on build longevity for a busy retail environment, modularity for future range changes and adaptability to different store formats.

The process

Weekly meetings at Antone, working with live display products and design sketches. The development stage comprising of sketches, raw mock ups and technical drawings spanned over 10 weeks. Full technical drawing packs and materials sourced with cost and bulk manufacture in mind. Factory merchandising of display products and national delivery and installation.

The materials

With interactive customer displays, service areas and a new kitchen and bathroom design centre, Antone have manufactured and installed a broad range of fixtures within the Wickes estate. From powder-coated metal flooring and tiling displays to stained pine and galvanised metal service counters. Combining solid surface, with metal box sections, mesh and pine in the design centre.

The result

We are trusted to manage stock levels of free issue display products internally and liaise with Wickes and their contractors. We commit to batch manufacture of fixtures for 10-30 stores at a time. Having built a long-standing relationship, we continue to work with Wickes to ensure their stores are delivered on time and to the best quality.

Flexible design development and a quality finish:

Rapidly producing technical drawings and prototypes from sketches and drawings.
Helpful advice on construction and for durability, transportation and installation. Also, good advice on materials, finishes, costs and risk assessment to achieve the desired result for customers and Wickes colleagues who use the kit.
Managing stock of components and holding samples of products for prototypes.
A quick cycle for updating and developing prototypes using the skills of the shop floor team, or third local parties where required great attention to detail and a quality of finish from Antone’s heritage in cosmetics and jewellery counters – strong in-house capabilities to deliver this quality at speed.
Clear and timely communication confirming changes to be made to prototypes and production equipment.
Hitting the deadlines and an overall desire to do whatever it takes to get the job done and done right.

End to end build, transport and installation of equipment:

The guys who transport and install the kit also build it, which means the guys really know how it is meant to fit together, and also they feedback any issues in the design or production. There are ‘no batons dropped’. Antone take responsibility end to end and ensure the final result is right.
Overall, I trust the Antone team to do a quality job for all stages from development through to installation and on-going roll out. And perhaps more importantly I trust them to tell me if there ever is a problem, anticipated or actual, and then work through a solution to fix it.

Head of Estate Transformation | Wickes