Brighthouse growing sales and creating jobs
By Ben Sillitoe - 10:29AM - Mon 10th January 2011
Rent-to-own retailer Brighthouse has reported a strong end to 2010, with revenue up 13.7 per cent year-on-year to £57.4 million in the 13 weeks to December 31st.
CEO of the company Leo McKee told Retail Gazette that he is confident that year-end financial results, to be published in the spring, will show double digit growth similar to last year.
Whereas many retailers suffered sales slumps during December when the big freeze prevented a number of consumers from hitting the shops, Brighthouse said poor weather before the festive season did not hamper its trading activity.
During the 13 weeks to the end of 2010, the retailer saw a surge in consumer demand for games consoles, mobile phones, laptops and flat screen TVs, while sales of furniture and domestic appliances also increased.
McKee also revealed that his firm created hundreds of retail jobs last year, with 11 stores opening in the final few months alone.
Each new outlet creates around 12 new jobs, and there are plans to open in locations such as Reading, Chester and Scarborough before March.
Commenting on why the business continues to be successful, the CEO said: “We are located in the heart of local communities and around 70 per cent of our staff work in the areas they are from.”
Reiterating comments he made in an interview with Retail Gazette in November, which highlight how Brighthouse has improved its image in recent years, McKee added: “We are obsessively focused on customers.
“Everything we do is about meeting their requirements.”