Screwfix has celebrated the opening of its first store in France, following the successful launch of its online presence in the country in April 2021.
The new store opened in Wattrelos in Lille with three to four more stores set to open by the end of January 2023, all in the Hauts-de-France region.
A significant step up in store openings is expected to follow next year. The store openings will create employment opportunities for local communities in the region. The vacancies will be available in a variety of areas such as retail management, service assistants and supervisor roles.
To support the network of new stores, Screwfix opened a distribution centre in Nanteuil-le-Haudouin (Oise), last May.
Each Screwfix France store will offer around 10,000 products aimed at trade professionals with an additional 5,000 products available online – ranging from plumbing and electrical products to power tools and workwear.
Customers will be able to click & collect from store in as little as 10 minutes. The stores will be based on the company's UK and Ireland model, with product ranges adapted to the French market.
John Mewett, Screwfix CEO, commented: “The creation of bricks and mortar stores in France is a major milestone for us and a direct result of the increasing demand from our customers for our extensive product range and the convenience of a store nearby - allowing busy tradespeople to get what they want when they need it.
“We’re delighted to have opened our first store in France with more store openings planned by the end of January 2023. We look forward to welcoming customers to our new stores and providing employment opportunities for local communities across the region.”
Thierry Garnier, Kingfisher CEO, commented: "Screwfix's growth in the UK and ROI has been one of retail's success stories in recent years, with an average of over a store opening per week for the past decade. Kingfisher's strong relationships with French suppliers, combined with our deep knowledge of French customers and ranges, mean we are perfectly placed to bring the proven Screwfix model to France.
"After a positive response to Screwfix France as an online retailer, we are now building the business for meaningful growth - from opening a new distribution centre to investing in scalable new IT. The expansion is being led by experienced teams made up of talent from across Screwfix UK, Kingfisher in France and beyond.
"We are very happy to be opening the first Screwfix stores in France and believe they offer tradespeople a proposition unlike anything else in the market."