Wickes has launched a major recruitment drive targeting 900 ex-B&Q employees.
The move follows news that B&Q will close its Homefit Installation Service in December as a way to “streamline” its offering.
Wickes has seen an increased demand for its design and installation service that has 600 designers across its 230 national showrooms and an installer network with 1,900 teams. It is looking to take on an extra 150 design consultants and 750 fitters.
Fraser Longden, HR and operations director at Wickes, said: “Our kitchen and bathroom showroom offering is witnessing an increasing demand from consumers wanting a fully installed service, so by taking on more installers and design consultants, we’ll be able to undertake more projects for customers.
“We believe that the demand and growth in this area represents a multimillion-pound opportunity, and a bolstered team will help us tap into this, becoming the go-to brand when it comes to choosing a new kitchen or bathroom.”
The investment into Wickes’s kitchen and bathroom offering has been ongoing as 100 stores to date have been renovated or had new showroom layouts.
Longden concluded: “We’re really excited to welcome a new pool of talent that will bring some fantastic experience to our business, and delighted that so many are choosing to further their career with us. With the role of the kitchen continuing to change from simply a functional space to the heart of the home, ensuring that customers can benefit from a dedicated and personal service when making such a big and significant purchase is really important to us.
“Our end-to-end service means customers can enjoy a bespoke design suited to their space with a design consultant, have access to the latest products, they can even get down to the detail of what paint goes on each wall, with the work carried out by our approved installers, tying the whole journey together under one roof.”
Added Damian Walters, chief executive of the British Institute of KBB Installation (BiKBBI): “I’m not surprised by this news, lots of industry are circling the B&Q boys.
“I believe that the subcontracted workforce model works, similarly that customers want a done-for-you service. I also said that the industry would absorb great talent, so this is just an example of that. All good!”