As revealed exclusively in this month’s issue of kbbreview magazine, bespoke kitchen company Tom Howley is piloting a new remote design service, looking to offer “flexible, in-home consultations” to customers who are outside the reach of its physical showrooms.
Launching this month, the scheme will initially be rolled out across the South West, in and around Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Oxfordshire. The kitchen brand has identified these target areas specifically as they are beyond the immediate reach of Tom Howley’s nearest showrooms, which are in Bristol, Winchester, Beaconsfield, Cheltenham, Guildford, and Esher.
The new model will see Tom Howley designers visitng clients’ homes with a curated collection of samples and design ideas, allowing the design process to begin within a homeowner’s own space, without needing to step into a showroom.
According to the company, the new model is in response to “shifting client expectations for flexibility, convenience and highly personalised service”. Although the kitchen retailer already offers an at-home design service, Tom Howley says this new initiative expands on its offering considerably, allowing clients the chance to see materials, colours and finishes within the context of their own space.
“The traditional showroom will always play an important role, but the future of premium retail is increasingly hybrid,” commented Kevin Holmes, managing director of Tom Howley. “Clients want flexibility in how they begin their design journey, whether that’s visiting a showroom or meeting a designer in their own home. Our Remote Design Service allows us to bring the Tom Howley design experience directly to clients. By visiting them with materials and samples, we can begin the design process in the very space we’re designing for.
“At the premium end of the market, clients expect convenience alongside expertise. The Remote Design Service gives them the flexibility to engage with us in a way that suits them, while still delivering the same level of design care and attention. There are parts of the country where we know there is strong demand for our design expertise, but where clients may be further from one of our showrooms. This initiative allows us to bridge those gaps and serve those clients more effectively.”
Following its launch in the South West, the bespoke kitchen brand says it plans to expand the hybrid model across the rest of the UK.