Ableworld store in Kinson image

Ableworld, the largest mobility retailer with 36 stores across the UK, has reported another strong year for its stairlift division, confirming the expansion of the department in the weeks ahead.

According to the retailer, its stairlifts business has continued to thrive and, even with the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, will still end the financial year (ending 31 August 2020) with growth on the previous year.

The company is one of only six Handicare Prestige Partners – a new upper tier of the stairlift supplier’s partner programme launched last year – and is currently Hanidcare’s Prestige Partner of the Year.

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Proud to have continued trading throughout the pandemic, Mike Williams, Managing Director of Ableworld, commented: “We have fantastic teams across the whole group and we intend to support them even more by expanding our stairlift department significantly over the coming weeks with both personnel, marketing and head office systems – plus dramatically increasing our marketing budget to ensure we carry on with the planned increases.”

During the coronavirus lockdown in April, Ableworld announced it was forging ahead with plans to open more stores and in July, cut the ribbon to a new superstore in Hyde, Greater Manchester.

“Presently, most teams are very stretched with the increased workloads and with full diaries and I’m sure they will be grateful for more support in the field,” continued Mike.

“We have recently been trialling a new partner on the digital marketing side of the business with some great success and our plans for the coming year on this side of the business are very exciting.”

The company also confirmed plans to continue expanding its bricks and mortar portfolio by launching three to four new stores in the next 12 months.

The investment in expanding its stairlift business, showrooms and big marketing push comes as the sector continues to find its feet following the lockdown, with many companies taking actions to cut costs following a sluggish post-lockdown recovery.

Discussing the decision to ramp up investment, Mike told THIIS: “In tough times, you can go three ways:

  • Bury your head in the sand and see your business disappear along with the people who have stood by you
  • Cut, cut, cut throughout the difficult period, not caring about the personal effect of the redundancies or the company moral
  • Or, believe in your business and carefully invest in the difficult times to ensure you come through even stronger, which is Ableworld’s solution to the present situation.”
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https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/RC080717bAbleworld05.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/RC080717bAbleworld05-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettNewsroomRetailer NewsTrade NewsAbleworld,coronavirus,Growth,Handicare,Hyde,investment,lockdown,marketing,Mike Williams,Prestige Partner,StairliftsAbleworld, the largest mobility retailer with 36 stores across the UK, has reported another strong year for its stairlift division, confirming the expansion of the department in the weeks ahead. According to the retailer, its stairlifts business has continued to thrive and, even with the disruption caused by the coronavirus...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals