Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
The 230-strong BrightHouse chain, which describes itself as a “weekly payment store”, has announced plans to increase its programme of openings.
According to The Times, the retailer has upped its target of 21 new store launches a year to 30, and is promising to create 2,000 jobs over the next five years.
Known as a rent-to-buy retailer, BrightHouse provides credit to customers, with no deposit required. Three in five of its customers are on benefits and two in five are single mothers.
The stores’ product offer spans home technology, furniture and other homewares.
BrightHouse’s chief executive Leo McKee told The Times that he was undeterred by the currently disappointing performance of the retail sector, and that research had shown it would be feasible to operate 650 stores in the UK.
“Although everyone is having to tighten their belts, our customers did five years ago,” he said.
The company has chalked up double-digit like-for-like sales growth every year for the past five years.
