Newsletter
Shop
Login
Menü
Subscribe now
"We are very colleague-centric": this statement regarding the Irish chain Woodie's was the central theme of the interview conducted by John Herbert with Declan Ronayne by videoconference. On the Global DIY-Network of the international industry associations Edra/Ghin and Hima, the Edra general secretary asked the CEO of Woodie's a variety of questions, including one about the "Woscars", the Woodie's Oscars, which are awarded to employees once a year at a major function. The CEO was also asked about the company's involvement with the "Great Place to Work" initiative. The number one target set by Ronayne for his store managers is no longer sales, but a good "engagement level of our colleagues".
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on Woodie's were similar to those on most other DIY store operators in Europe and worldwide. When stores opened again on 18 May after a forced seven-week closure, like-for-like sales rocketed by 153 per cent in the second half of May. In June the increase in sales was 61 per cent, and in the four months to the end of October it was 41 per cent. "We are going to have a record year at Woodie's," said Ronayne. He expects the high level of demand to continue into the first half of 2021.Something that has surely worked in Woodie's favour is the positioning of the chain as a retailer in the soft DIY sector, as well as the greater focus of customers in Ireland also on their personal environment and thus also their homes. The Woodie's business model suits this, for as Ronayne defines it: "This is an emotional business."
The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on Woodie's were similar to those on most other DIY store operators in Europe and worldwide. When stores opened again on 18 May after a forced seven-week closure, like-for-like sales rocketed by 153 per cent in the second half of May. In June the increase in sales was 61 per cent, and in the four months to the end of October it was 41 per cent. "We are going to have a record year at Woodie's," said Ronayne. He expects the high level of demand to continue into the first half of 2021.Something that has surely worked in Woodie's favour is the positioning of the chain as a retailer in the soft DIY sector, as well as the greater focus of customers in Ireland also on their personal environment and thus also their homes. The Woodie's business model suits this, for as Ronayne defines it: "This is an emotional business."
