4x4: Four months, four new openings for thriving Schmidt brand

Interior solutions franchise Schmidt is off to a flying start to 2022 with news that four new showrooms will open in the first four months of the year.

By the end of April new franchised showrooms will be trading in Mere Green (Sutton Coldfield), Solihull, Eastbourne and Swansea. The Mere Green branch opened its doors in February, followed shortly after by Schmidt Solihull. 

The two recent Midlands openings mark the first steps to expanding into the northern half of the UK as part of Schmidt’s strategic plans to grow a nationwide footprint by 2025.

“It’s a hugely exciting time for us all – and a busy one!” says Jean-Michel Peragine, Schmidt’s UK head of expansion.

“We have a very strong base in the south-east, the Midlands was the first target for our strategy for national growth. To have two showrooms opening within a few months there is a huge boost for our brand and reflects the work of our people, both our franchise partners and our expansion teams who are supporting them.”

With Schmidt’s ranges of made-to-measure kitchen, bathroom and storage products positioned in the mid-to-high UK market, Jean-Michel says the move north will open up exciting new opportunities for franchise partners. Key targets for the next wave of expansion include Yorkshire, Newcastle and Scotland.

“We know there is a huge potential market in northern England and Scotland,” he said. “We have a very wide product range, which we adapt to each area for our new showrooms using careful demographic data and based on our experience of opening nearly 30 showrooms already in the UK, and more than 800 worldwide. 

“We can showcase lower-budget or higher-budget ranges for each showroom, depending on their local market.

“This targeted approach was seen in our recent opening in Beaconsfield, which began securing customer orders within two weeks of opening. When we combine what we know with the passion and service of a local franchise partner, it is a powerful force.”