One of Britains's Largest DIY retailers, Homebase has embarked on an ambitious mezzanine development programme. The work is part of a major investment initiative designed to establish a new marketplace position as a DIY business selling homewares.
Hi-Store has already installed mezzanine floors in Homebase stores and acted as the lynchpin for the project, working closely with Homebase, architectural design consultants, structural engineers and the main shop fitting contractors.
As with the other installations, teamwork was all important. With more than 30 years' experience and a highly trained operations team Hi-Store handled the whole concept from design through to delivery. Many Homebase stores are already trading with mezzanines and even more are planned. The Homebase plan is for at least half of their stores to be able to make the ‘Homebase Offer’ to shoppers at the first floor level. In this area Homebase are leading the retailers in using Mezzanines to increase their business and profits.
With building land becoming ever more scarce and costly, mezzanine floors are seen by many businesses as delivering a cost effective solution. Mezzanine floors have been used extensively in commerce and industry for many years but retailers are increasingly finding them an attractive proposition.
A retailer hoping to increase market penetration may be able to do so with a much smaller outlay on capital equipment than on property and without requiring planning permission. The beauty of mezzanine floors is that they allow the creation of extra floor space within the existing footprint of the building, eliminating the time and expense involved in taking on a major new development. At the same time they can maximise use of "wasted" space and eliminate relocation expenses.
The extra space at ground floor level is dedicated to Homebase stock. Well-known concessions are located in the mezzanine area and now enjoy greatly increased sales areas.
Homebase's image and products are all important and the mezzanine floor is cleverly integrated into the existing building design. Hi-Store specialise in high quality hand-railing and sophisticated staircases which subtly blend in to the overall mood of the store.
Trading can continue while a mezzanine floor is being fitted but during this time floor space will be reduced and the retailer is trading below optimum level. This is why it is important to use a reputable and established firm who can achieve the work in the minimum amount of time.