From May this year, Spafix Direct will no longer accept retail orders through its website, instead becoming a trade-only resource.
Part of a complete re-branding exercise, Spafix Direct will also go some way to disassociate the now bigger hot tub parts wholesale distribution business from the smaller original service and repair business that will still be in operation.
Spafix Direct originally started out as a small bolt-on retail web shop as an extra source of revenue to the service business. In 2010 Spafix Direct exhibited at Spatex and Lyon and went on to produce websites in French and Spanish.
Today Spafix Direct serves over 500 clients both in the UK and Europe with distribution partners serving Benelux and Spain. In 2013 less than 5% of the overall sales were to retail down from around 10% the year previous, mainly because they have intentionally set retail prices at a suitable level to absorb a healthy trade margin and deflect retail business.
Spafix Direct founder Darren Waters comments: “We want our message to be loud and clear; we are here to support the trade. “We have done a great job up until now, so now it is about building on the success we have had and taking the whole scope of the business to a new level,” Darren adds. “I have been thinking about going to trade-only for a couple of years now but never really knew the best way to do it without the risk of missing sales opportunities.” Despite still being a 50% shareholder in the service company, Darren will be handing over day-to-day running to his fellow director Gavin Benford and newly-promoted service manager Carl Priest so that he can concentrate on business development.
Spafix Direct UK Ltd
Tel. +44 (0)23 9245 4455
www.spafixdirect.co.uk
