This month we’re asking retailers: What has been your biggest investment so far this year?

Home World – Mattress & Bed Centres

Our biggest investment this year has been on “elevation”. We have elevated our interior signage & P.O.S. to reflect our adjustment into a slightly higher market. The biggest investment in elevation though has been in the range we display, we have moved our range into more higher priced products, whilst maintaining our value offers still.

Linthorpe Beds

This year, our biggest investment has been in enhancing the customer experience. We began by giving our flagship store a fresh, modern look — transforming its exterior from tired, worn white to sleek, multi-tone grey cladding and rendering over all brickwork. This revitalised exterior creates a more inviting atmosphere for our customers from the moment they arrive. Inside the store, we’ve continued to focus on convenience and service by equipping our entire sales team with new tablets. These portable devices allow our staff to assist customers anywhere in the store, with immediate access to product information and support at their fingertips. This is just one part of our wider investment strategy this year, but a key one — putting our customers at the heart of everything we do.

Hatters Furniture

We haven’t made any significant investment this year, but did a couple of years ago, when we put 616 solar panels on our roof.

M6 Beds

Our biggest investment this year has been in advanced route optimization software. As an independent retailer, delivering a high level of service is crucial to our success, and this technology has transformed the way we operate. It allows us to efficiently plan delivery routes, reduce admin time and costs, and provides real-time visibility of our delivery fleet. Most importantly, it significantly enhances the customer experience—customers can now track their delivery from the moment it leaves our warehouse, receiving accurate, real-time updates that reflect actual traffic conditions. It’s a step forward in making our service smarter, faster, and more transparent.

Dreamland Bedding Centre

Our most significant investment this year has undoubtedly been in people; both within our organisation and the wider community. Externally, this year so far, we’ve contributed over £15,500 to a local charity, with a particular focus on projects that align with our values of inclusion and wellbeing. Internally, we’ve made a deliberate commitment to staff development by allocating up to one day each week for training and professional growth. In addition, every team member is encouraged to dedicate one day per month to support a community project or local charity of their choice. This represents a substantial investment, equivalent to nearly 10 working weeks per employee per year diverted from direct commercial activity. However, the returns we’ve seen in terms of motivation, engagement, and organisational culture far outweigh the financial cost. Empowered, purpose-driven individuals build stronger businesses. Ultimately, we believe investing in people is the most valuable—and sustainable—decision we can make as a business.

Oakavia

We are focused on enhancing our website and automation to provide an even more seamless and efficient shopping experience. By improving navigation and enhancing product imagery, we make it easier for customers to browse and find what they’re looking for. These updates ensure that shopping with Oakavia is straightforward, helping our customers make confident, informed decisions with ease, convenience, and peace of mind.

Elphicks of Huntingdon

2024 was a fantastic year for investment in the company. We have given a fresh look to the shop frontage with all-new signs. Secondly, an eye-catching and impressive timeline has been created in the very centre of the shop displaying the history of the 5 Generations of the Elphick family who have been involved in the growth and success of the business. A new website has been launched complimenting the refresh of our branding, along with numerous other investments, including the update to our delivery fleet of vehicles and the investment into a brand-new Fire Alarm System to offer protection of our assets.

Haskins

We are always investing in our showrooms to ensure that our customers get the best experience possible, we have recently changed all our lighting over to LEDs and invested in new supplier displays such as our Orla Kiely display and new Adjust-A-Bed gallery.

Luxus Home and Garden

We have recently launched in Europe and Australia and invested heavily into our IP and back-office systems. We have also been working on our indoor range of products, which will be in line with our current offering of high-quality, natural, sustainable products at a reasonable price.

Oak Furnitureland

One of our biggest investments this year has been growing and diversifying our product collections to support our ‘Whole Home’ vision, helping customers find well-made, beautifully designed furniture for every room in the house. By expanding across styles, materials and functions, we’re broadening our appeal and connecting with a wider variety of customers looking for quality furniture that’s built to last. We’ve put particular focus on mixed materials, which are now driving the strongest year-on-year growth across our cabinet ranges. Our new ceramic dining tables show how style and everyday practicality can work hand-in-hand – perfect for modern living. We’ve also introduced more statement cabinet collections featuring warm acacia, luxurious Italian Carrara marble, and a new mango wood range that is already proving to be popular. Comfort is just as important. We’re continuing to invest in our modular sofa collections, which are designed for modern living. Their versatility really appeals to customers as each individual module can be moved or rearranged to suit a space. From bold new materials to clever cabinet design and sofa innovation, our ongoing investment is making it easier than ever for customers to create a home that’s built to last and full of character.