Ableworld flagship store in Stafford
Ableworld’s new flagship store in Stafford

The UK’s largest mobility retailer Ableworld has reported record results for its financial year ended in August, with a 17.25 percent increase in sales and 15.79 percent in like-for-like sales.

According to Ableworld, the company saw similar increases across both its company-owned stores and franchises / joint ventures, with its nationwide showroom portfolio now sitting at 35.

Highlighting the competitive nature of the mobility market, Mike Williams, Managing Director of Ableworld, commented: “Even though stronger competition is coming into the market place, we still achieved some great figures and once audited, we expect our profits to grow by similar or larger percentages.

“On top of some great performances by a number of both our own stores and the franchises / joint ventures, we were very pleased that two new stores opened in the past twelve months, Christchurch in Dorset and our new company flagship store in Stafford.”

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Launching its Stafford flagship store in a strategical location that benefits from both high street footfall and the advantages afforded to retail parks, such as substantial parking, Mike also outlined plans to continue its retail park focus.

“We are excited for the forthcoming year so watch this space for more large stores on retail parks,” he added.

“Between ourselves and franchises, we are aiming to open at least another three to four stores in the coming twelve months and we intend to carry on being the leading mobility and stairlift retailer in the country.

“I know others are opening, sometimes at a slightly faster pace, however, we intend to carry on with our model, which in the main, has around three times the space of our main competition, so presently we are retailing out of well over 100,000 sq. ft.”

The declaration to focus on retail parks follows recent data released by PwC revealing that high street retailers across multiple sectors are continuing to struggle to find their feet amidst the shifting retail landscape.

The promising results come as the mobility dealer confirmed it is investing substantially in upgrading its accounts, CRM and retail systems, signing a £500,000 contract for an SAP system which it says will be introduced at the end of the calendar year.

Mike finished: “Naturally, none of this could be achieved without a great team both at our head office and out in the field and hopefully people feel they have been rewarded well with a bonus structure that, on average, has paid out nearly 15 percent on top of salaries, in recognition of everyone’s hard work.”

In August, Mike discussed the company’s franchise ambitions with THIIS, including bringing in an external agency, the need to find the right locations, and what makes an ideal franchisee for Ableworld.

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https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ableworld-flagship-store-in-Stafford.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ableworld-flagship-store-in-Stafford-150x150.jpgCalvin BarnettNewsroomRetailer NewsAbleworld,CRM,Financial Year,franchise,Mike Williams,mobility retailer,PwC,retail parks,SAP,StaffordThe UK's largest mobility retailer Ableworld has reported record results for its financial year ended in August, with a 17.25 percent increase in sales and 15.79 percent in like-for-like sales. According to Ableworld, the company saw similar increases across both its company-owned stores and franchises / joint ventures, with its...News, views & products for mobility, access and independent living professionals