PERSONAL TRAINER HELPS DOORMEN PREPARE FOR 4.8 TONS OF JANUARY SALE DOOR SWINGING

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

January 3, 2012.

PERSONAL TRAINER HELPS DOORMEN PREPARE FOR 4.8 TONS OF JANUARY SALE DOOR SWINGING.

A north Manchester furnishings and gifts store has brought in a personal trainer to help its top-hatted doormen get to grips with the demands of winter shopping customer stampedes.

Frank Hodgson and Peter Brooks will hold doors open for Housing Units customers as often as 5,463 times a day each during peak Christmas and January sales shopping days - 364 times an hour, once every six seconds, assuming an average party size of two people entering and leaving the store – but will be even busier during the winter sale.

Now Housing Units’ personnel team has brought in personal trainer Kate Wright from Oldham gym Heavenly Bodies to coach the doormen in the best way to avoid injury or muscle damage from their exertions, which, assuming average push or pull of a door being the equivalent to lifting 20lbs, means around 4.8 tons of door being moved each working day at peak time.

“Customers enjoy the door-opening experience, so will often hang back a little to get their own exclusive service, with some even taking photos. This is an enjoyable experience all round, but, of course, during peak hours can mean there’s a massive amount of door swinging – and that means flexing muscles that don’t normally get flexed so frequently,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units.

“With the perfect storm of peak customer traffic, both doormen deployed, movement both in and out of the store involving people with shopping and buggies, plus requests for directions, it could quickly descend into chaos if the doormen start flagging.

“Footfall is on average 25,500 a week during the run up to Christmas, but while that equates to an average of 1,821 door openings a day, twice a minute for each doorman, at peak times door opening rate can be three times as high. working day.

“But customer traffic during the sales can be even higher, so we need to ensure the doormen are in peak condition”.

Housing Units - known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947.

It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

TV HOME DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE SHOWS? MORE PLEASE – THEY’RE BOOSTING OUR ECONOMY, SAY HOUSING UNITS

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

October 11, 2011.

TV HOME DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE SHOWS? MORE PLEASE – THEY’RE BOOSTING OUR ECONOMY, SAY HOUSING UNITS.

They may seem to be wall-to-wall on TV, but the overwhelming current crop of home design and lifestyle shows are doing massive favours for the UK furnishings and interiors industry.

Nick Fox, director of north Manchester-based furnishings store Housing Units, says that regardless of how tacky, tear-jerking or turgid the home design programmes are, they are inspiring homeowners into spending on changes or improvements.

“Customers will come in to the store sometimes completely undecided about what they want, but will simply refer to a TV home design or lifestyle show and say they want something the same or just like what they saw,” said Nick.

“This is where we have an advantage in that we have in-house designers who overdose on these programmes so know exactly what most customers are talking about.

“The trend is to buy complete makeovers for entire rooms – and customers are specifying not just UK-style design, but design and furnishings they have seen on travel programmes, or home-search shows abroad.

“It is genuinely creating a new niche of demand, and there is a very definite drive towards Italian-inspired interior design.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

SHE THINKS GRANDAD’S A STAR – NOW HE’S A TV STAR… FOR A SPLIT SECOND ANYWAY.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

May 3, 2011.

SHE THINKS GRANDAD’S A STAR – NOW HE’S A TV STAR… FOR A SPLIT SECOND ANYWAY.

TV ad.

John Corris interview on set.

John Corris’ granddaughter Rhea Lee Mort, aged nine, thinks he’s a real star – but was disappointed he didn’t become a TV star back in 2008.

But she’s a happier little girl in 2011 – if only for a split second. Because John, a crucial member of the behind-the-scenes team at home furnishings retailer Housing Units in Failsworth, near Oldham, at last features in one of the store’s TV commercials.

Virtually the entire cast of the 60 second TV commercial are staff and family members, but John missed out last time the team featured in a Housing Units ad back in 2008. (John Corris video.)

But this time Rhea gets a glimpse of grandad John, from Failsworth, who has been with Housing Units for 12 years.

“It’s not a big part, but at least she had some fun trying to spot me,” said John, 63.

“I think I now need to hone my acting skills, and maybe develop a Brad Pitt attitude, and I’m sure I’ll get an even bigger part next time round.”

The ad was directed by Manchester-born film director Phil Hawkins, one of Steven Spielberg’s tips for movie greatness, and produced by AIR Creative, also based in Manchester.

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

SPIELBERG PROTÉGÉ’S “HOUSING UNITS-2: THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL”.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

April 13, 2011.

SPIELBERG PROTÉGÉ’S “HOUSING UNITS-2: THIS TIME IT’S PERSONAL”.

Nick Fox video.

Phil Hawkins video (1) (2) (3) (4)

Paul Barnes video (1) (2)

Photos

TV ad.

Manchester-born film director Phil Hawkins, one of Steven Spielberg’s tips for movie greatness, has returned to Failsworth to direct a second work for leading retailer Housing Units.

Phil has teamed up with Manchester-based AIR Creative to produce Housing Units’ first-ever 60-second TV ad, which features the voice of actor Sean Pertwee.

It has been shot entirely on location at the store’s north Manchester retail park – and steers well clear of the sector-dominant sofas-wardrobes-and-beds style production. That it was also filmed on a hand-held camera highlights the natural and relaxed tone.

Phil, an award-winning former Manchester Xaverian College student, has been named as one of the young movie makers who most caught the legend’s eye.

And the people who caught Phil’s eye were the cast of the new ad: virtually everybody starring in the ad either works at Housing Units, or is related to Housing Units staff.

The challenge facing the team was to showcase Housing Units’ massive product range, plus the overall scale of Housing Units’ vast array of departments, without making it look like a living catalogue, but, crucially, to get over the key point that it’s all about personal service in the family-run and orientated store.

“The sequel is always going to be tough, and we thought that 60 seconds would make it easier – but it didn’t: using the staff, and featuring some of the new retail units and departments means this ad has no option but to be packed with people and action,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units (video).

“It’s not a list of products, it’s about the lifestyle customers enjoy, and the way the staff operate and interface with those customers.”

Paul Barnes, Managing Director of AIR Creative, said: “It just isn’t possible to convey the full scale of Housing Units’ offering in 30 seconds. (video)

  

“We needed some way of getting all of that across – the range, quality of service, attention to detail - and establishing a bigger picture in customers’ minds.  Housing Units is not just somewhere else that sells sofas. 

“The store is genuinely unique and enjoys real loyalty from its customers, so we wanted to tap into the goodwill that the brand already has, and convey that to a wider audience.  But, above all, we want people to make an emotional connection with the store.”     

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

HOUSING UNITS £30,000 FOR THE CHRISTIE.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

April 11, 2011.

HOUSING UNITS £30,000 FOR THE CHRISTIE.

Video The Christie’s Roger Smith

Video Nick Fox of Housing Units

Photo

The world-renowned Christie cancer care hospital has said thirty thousand thank-yous to 280 store staff in Failsworth, north Manchester.

Staff at Housing Units concluded their three year support of The Christie with a £10,750 flourish – the final fund-raising cheque has been handed over by staff and management, making a total of £30,000 raised.

“There’s plenty of places, furniture and beds in Housing Units to laze around on, but the team here has been getting very active with a vast array of fund raising efforts, largely involving exercise or muscle flexing,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units. (video)

“But there’s great satisfaction amongst the team – spurred along by ‘head fundraiser’ Bob Lamble at Housing Units – because they know that every penny makes a difference.”

Roger Smith, a governor of The Christie, (video) thanked the team for its efforts over the past three years:

“The sums of money raised and contributed by the Housing Units team make a significant difference both to the level of treatment we can provide for patients, and to pay for value added equipment.

“I can only say a huge thank-you to the team for their efforts, and they can live in the knowledge that they are making a huge difference to the lives of people in the region with cancer.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

HOUSING UNITS PUTS KIDS WORLD ON THE MAP.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

November 25, 2010.

HOUSING UNITS PUTS KIDS WORLD ON THE MAP.

Housing Units is to launch a new store in its north Manchester retail park on December 1, 2010.

Housing Units Kids World will stock clothes, footwear, toys and bedroom furniture for under-10s, slotting into the age bracket above its current Coo Chi Coo baby store on The Crescent.

“The time is right for investment, the niche is there, our customers want it, and we have the space to be able to develop something of this nature – and a likely demand to ensure solid footfall,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units.

“We’ve researched this market intensely, and have decided from the start that we’ll be stocking designer and premium brands and products - but a big influence is also the growing number of children who now have a say in the design and décor of their own rooms.

“The timing is obviously important; we’re gathering such a momentum and level of customer visits as Christmas approaches that we feel in a strong position to give Kids World a real kick start, and to be placed firmly on the map pretty quickly.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

A GRAND CHRISTMAS, A FOUR GRAND CHRISTMAS IN FACT….

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

October 27, 2010.

A GRAND CHRISTMAS, A FOUR GRAND CHRISTMAS IN FACT….

Video.

Sales of Christmas decorations at Housing Units – which launched its 2010 festive department 106 days before Santa is due – have exceeded the same period in 2009.

But one super-enthusiastic shopper was so taken by the occasion of her visit that she spent more than £4,000 on decorations.

The department is 3,500 square feet of floor-space dedicated to Christmas trees, decorations and accessories, with seven ready-made decoration themes, while the front of the store is designed as a fairytale castle, with a layer of snow over outdoor displays and the entrance area – a special effect produced by designers more used to creating snow scenes in Disney movies.

“People seem to want a really grand Christmas this year, in every meaning of the word, with many families turning the decoration of the house into an event in its own right – by starting Christmas so early we have clearly helped both the consumer and the economy,” said Nick Fox, director of north-Manchester based Housing Units.

“While one customer spent £4,000 in one hit, it’s clear now that customers like the idea of being able to spread the cost of purchase of decorations, with many shoppers making return visits - and UK families are very much following the North American trend of making Christmas a much bigger and more decorative event in any case – so they’re actually spending more on what they really want, and spreading the cost.

“A good part of the reason for the relentless demand is that we have created seven self-contained design and colour themes – this enhances the decorative abilities of those with a good eye, but also proves to be a solution for the less well naturally co-ordinated.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO HOUSING UNITS: SEPTEMBER 9, 2010.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

September 6, 2010.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY TO HOUSING UNITS: SEPTEMBER 9, 2010.

Photo and interview opportunities from 9am, Wednesday, September 8, 2010.

Housing Units will launch its 2010 Christmas department on Thursday, September 9 – 106 days before Christmas - and in the process do its bit to help both the consumer and the economy.

The department will be 3,500 square feet of floor-space dedicated to Christmas trees, decorations and accessories, and seven ready-made decoration themes.

The front of the store will be designed as a fairytale castle, with a layer of snow over outdoor displays and the entrance area – a special effect produced by designers more used to creating snow scenes in Disney movies.

“Christmas is getting bigger and bigger as a celebration in the UK, with many families turning the decoration of the house into an event in its own right – by starting Christmas so early we feel we’re helping both the consumer and the economy,” said Nick Fox, director of north-Manchester based Housing Units.

“Customers like the idea of being able to spread the cost of purchase of decorations - and UK families are very much following the North American trend of making Christmas a much bigger and more decorative event in any case – so they’re actually spending more on what they really want, and spreading the cost.

“The Christmas department saw 2009 turnover up on 2008, and this clearly impacts down the line – not just in terms of our sales, but also suppliers.

“A good part of the reason is that we have created seven self-contained design and colour themes – this enhances the decorative abilities of those with a good eye, but also proves to be a solution for the less well naturally co-ordinated.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

GOLF DRIVE HITS 86 BIG ONES FOR CHARITY

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

August 31, 2010.

GOLF DRIVE HITS 86 BIG ONES FOR CHARITY.

Photo available

Most golfers would consider a score of 3,500 to be a little off par – but for 63 staff and suppliers of Housing Units it means a big improvement.

Around £3,500 was the total raised for The Christie Hospital on the day of the Housing Units Charity Golf Day at Saddleworth Golf Club on August 27, but the company’s charity events over the past eight years have now raised more than £86,000, improving lives across the region.

“The charity we support is the choice of Housing Units’ staff, and we have a superb relationship with Christies – so handing over the cheque will be a great pleasure as always,” said Nick Fox of Housing Units.

One winner was of course Christies, but the man with the trophy on the day was guest Danny Rice from Ashton-under-Lyne.

Danny Rice’s trophy was accompanied by a winner’s prize of a £200 Housing Units Gift Voucher and golf equipment.

“It was our eighth annual golf tournament, and the great thing about golfers is that they know how to have a great day whether they’re planning for fun – or to make a genuine contribution to changing somebody’s life for the better,” said Nick Fox.  

“While everybody had a fantastic day, we did not lose sight of the fact that we were raising money for people less fortunate than ourselves. It is vitally important for local business to support local causes, and the best way to do it is to provide an enjoyable day that people want to return to again and again.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

HOUSING UNITS STAFF DIG DEEP FOR THE CHRISTIE

http://www.oldham-chronicle.co.uk/news-features/8/news-headlines/41414/store-staff-dig-deep-for-christie

HOUSING UNITS SCOOPS AWARD

http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/25410-awaiting-pic-housing-units-scoops-top-national-award.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NorthWest_25th_May_2010_-_Daily_E-mail

HOUSING UNITS GETS GREATS NEWS: “IT’S THE BEST” - CRAIN'S

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co.uk/article/20100524/FREE/100529959

HOUSING UNITS GETS GREATS NEWS: “IT’S THE BEST”.

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

May 24, 2010.

HOUSING UNITS GETS GREATS NEWS: “IT’S THE BEST”.

Housing Units has been named one of the top department stores in the country in the retail industry equivalent of the Oscars.

The Failsworth, north Manchester, store won the award for best department store retailer of gifts in The Greats Gift Retailer of the Year Awards 2010 which took place at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on May 20.

The other finalists included last year’s winner, John Lewis of Oxford Street.

The award is open to independent department stores, or individual outlets of bigger chains, and notes product range, product knowledge, staff training, customer care, promotion and display.

“This is a jaw-dropping achievement, and incredible reward for the staff and management who live, eat and breathe Housing Units, and who are passionate about making a difference,” said Stuart Fox, Retail Operations Director of Housing Units, who collected the award.

“That we are competing against some of the greatest stores in the land is tribute to all concerned at Housing Units.

“We know our customers well, we know what they like, and many of them are like loyal friends as well as supporters.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk

Housing Units and other photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pressrelations