Merchandising strategy
In its latest range review, Gillam says Bunnings wanted to avoid duplication and that there is an emphasis on having exclusive brands in a mass-market channel. Despite a reduction in the number of suppliers to its stores, there is the same number of SKUs. The best of its SKUS seemed to be on show at the Melbourne expo with many suppliers exhibiting their new products. A brief tour of the expo with Gillam and general manager – merchandising and marketing, Clive Duncan focused on six supplier and product stands.
They include Kaboodle which currently provide flat-pack kitchen, laundry, bedroom and living room products; the Matador brand of barbecues and outdoor kitchens that are made specifically for Bunnings; Dulux which had a demonstration of its Textures range; Windoware and its line of Sunline window furnishings; Ryobi; and Kincrome which featured its Ultimate Tool Stack. According to Duncan, the expos have been organised for the past seven years for the benefit if its team members. Bunnings also invited about 500 of its trade customers to the Victorian event.
Bunnings chief operating officer Peter Davis told Cumberland Courier Newspapers the 17,000sqm warehouse would be more than 50 per cent larger than the existing store in Stockyard Place and represented an investment of more than $40million. “We have been part of the Gosford community for nearly 15 years and the new warehouse will provide employment for more than 190 people and an additional 220 throughout the construction phase,” says Davis.