The Fife outlet of Dobbies has been credited with playing a key role in delivering a surge in sales for the gardening giant.
Dobbies has doubled the size of the business over the past 12 months through a programme of store acquisitions and growing sales.
The firm has seen sales increase by 12% on the prior year to £166 million, while like-for-like sales rose by 5% for the year ending February 24 2019.
The company’s Dunfermline outlet was one of four pilot stores which received significant investment including new flooring and fixtures, an improved food hall and new product ranges.
Chief executive, Graeme Jenkins, said: “Dunfermline is a flagship store for us and the investment we have made there has seen sales in the food hall increase by 50% year-on-year.
“Plant sales across the company have increased by 10% and we are set to introduce new services across our stores including an app which will allow customers to scan a code on a plant label and receive in-depth information about it.
“App users will also be able to put questions about the plant to a panel of experts.”
Mr Jenkins said the firm had also invested in their Monifieth branch, including new fixtures.
He also confirmed there were “exciting additions” planned for the empty retail unit next to the Monifieth branch, with negotiations key partners “almost there” for the outlet.
“Dobbies has delivered a strong performance this year, as we continue to differentiate our retail and hospitality offerings with customers at the centre of everything we do.
“Our trading performance is testament to the hard work of the team and we are well positioned to enjoy a successful Christmas season”.
In the reporting year, the firm acquired six new garden centres and disposed of two non-core centres.
The acquisitions and associated restructuring costs amounted to £3.3m, while in recent months outwith the reporting period, the company made further acquisitions of 31 garden centres, bringing the size of the estate to 69 stores.
Like-for-like (LFL) store sales have performed strongly with an increase of 5% in LFL sales in the year and an increase in customer basket size of 6%.
Performance was particularly strong in plants and gardening, as well as in the food halls where the firm enjoyed increased sales in their top-up-shop convenience shop offer.
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk