15
PRO INSTALLER FEBRUARY 2016
PRO NEWS
@proinstaller1
RECORD YEAR FOR
FINANCE SALES IN
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS) has reported record
finance sales in the home improvement sector for the
sixth consecutive year. The business paid out almost
£250million in 2015 — the highest amount in its 16year history and an increase of almost 20% on 2014.
Despite reports of a
slight downturn in the
home improvement
market over the last
12 months, there is no
indication that sales
on finance are slowing
down and there is clear
evidence that companies promoting credit
are outperforming their
competitors.
Managing Partner Andy
Wallace said: “Business is
traditionally quiet in the
run up to Christmas. How-
ever, last December was
extremely buoyant and exceeded expectations. There
was also an extremely
positive start to 2016. Many
of our key retailers also
reported a great start to
the year, and that the use
of promotional finance is
continuing to provide them
with a significant increase
in both leads and sales.”
CCS’s findings in the
home improvement sector
have strong parallels with
the UK car market which
also had a record year in
2015.
“With regards to finance,
where the car market goes
the home improvement
market is never far behind.
Increasingly consumers
want to make their larger
purchases using credit, and
in particular they’re looking
for low interest, flexible
loan terms and deferred
payment options. There’s no
question, in my mind, that
proactively offering finance
at the point of sale both
encourages people to buy
and increases their order
values,” Andy added.
CCS has also recently
signed an extended funding contract with long-term
lending partner Barclays
Partner Finance. Andy said:
“Renewing our partnership
with Barclays is excellent
news for our retailers and
allows us to reaffirm our
position as the UK’s leading
independent provider of finance to the home improvement market for many years
to come.
“By working together with
our established panel of
blue-chip lenders we have
been able to lead the way in
bringing the proven benefits
of promotional finance into
the sector and it’s enabled
us to continue to offer some
of the very best and most
innovative credit products
available.
“I am confident that 2016
will continue to see sustained growth in our core
home improvement markets,
including the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom sector
which represents one third
of our lending portfolio.”
colinssashwindows.co.uk
UPVC Sliding Sash Windows
*
ANY SIZE £249 plus VAT
A Rated Toughened Glass
FREE Nationwide Delivery
Call us for details...
*Conditions apply.
Tel: 01525 552131 7 days a week 8am-8pm
Email: [email protected]