Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Housewares Magazine and www.HousewaresLive.net are thrilled to announce that Shanker Patel, chief executive officer of the Lords Group of Companies, will give a presentation at The Housewares Conference 2015.
Based in West London, Lords is a diverse family-owned business established in 1985 that is involved in the retail, distribution and manufacturing of construction materials, employing over 170 people. Its principal trading arms are Lords Builders Merchants and fast-expanding housewares chain Lords of Notting Hill, which is building a strong reputation as an innovative housewares retailer. Lords of Notting Hill was a finalist in the 2014 Housewares Innovation Awards, organised by Housewares Magazine and www.HousewaresLive.net.
Shanker will discuss ‘Innovation in Store Design – The Good, The Bad and The Great’. He will share Lords of Notting Hill’s journey of redesigning the local housewares store from a traditional look to a more modern style in line with the age of the digitally connected customer. He will also share how the business is looking to further improve its store design, with the launch of its new store in London’s St John Wood.
In addition to trading, the Lords Group are heavily involved in residential and commercial real estate investment and development.
After graduating from LSE (The London School of Economics and Political Science) in 1992, Shanker initially intended to fulfil his dream of becoming a lawyer and attended the College of Law in London, graduating as a lawyer. He initially worked in the business as a part-time sales assistant in between lectures and during term holidays.
At the time, the business had two retail stores in London. Since becoming managing director in 1997, the group’s turnover has grown 10-fold to over £35 million, and the group has diversified from retailing into the various activities it is involved in today: manufacturing, distribution, retail, real estate, ecommerce and care homes.
Shanker heads all six group activities via a team of professionals who are jointly responsible for the success of the business. All business divisions have external managing directors who are responsible for day-to-day operations.
Starting in the recession of the 1990s has enabled Shanker to confidently manage the group during the current crisis. Business projections for 2014 indicate an organic rise in sales increase of 25%. The group has invested over £4 million in its businesses to take advantage of the current upturn. The aim of the business is to reach over £50 million in sales within the next three years and more than £75m over the next five years.
Organised by Housewares Magazine and www.HousewaresLive.net, the Housewares Conference 2015 takes place on April 22 at Wokefield Park in Berkshire. For further details, go to www.housewaresconference.co.uk.
