Meet The Euronics Family - Part Two
In Autumn, we introduced you to five of our independent Euronics retailers in Lincoln, Newtownards, Leicester, Ramsey and Heathfield. This Winter, we’d like to introduce you to a few more of the friendly, knowledgeable experts you can expect to meet when you visit a Euronics store.
Supporting their local communities during the lockdowns, and with over 600 stores across the UK, you’ll find a Euronics superstar in your home town, or on a high street near you.
Williams Electrical (Richard Putland), Sheffield
Established in 1905, Williams Electrical was founded by the current owner’s great Grandfather, and still to this day has its physical store in that very same location, run by husband and wife, Richard, and Karen Putland, who say they are “busier than ever due to more people supporting local businesses”.
Bonfire night last year marked a sad occasion as the store closed so the team could pay their respects to the passing of Howard Jones, Karen’s father, who started working for the business when he was just 15 years old. Like all the family, Howard had a passion for people, and appliances - and was still heavily involved with the business up until his 80th birthday when he decided to retire.
Williams Electrical have many long standing team members, including sales manager, John, who is due to retire this year after 25 years with the business. And they aren’t too sure how their loyal customers will cope with the news!
Sponsors of the world’s oldest recognised football club, Sheffield FC, Williams Electrical also support their local community by donating prizes to schools and were pleased to help their local hospital with donating several appliances during lockdown. This was something Howard was always very keen to do, and he was a founding member of the local Double Six Youth Club, which is still going strong today.
Having been required to close the shop during lockdown, the business saw an increase in online orders whilst manning the telephones from home and managing customer deliveries between Richard and just one other staff member. Looking forward to a much deserved break when time allows, Richard says he is longing to visit family in North Carolina.
Powerpoint Stores Ltd (Natalie Broad), Oakengates & Wellington
With two stores in Telford, one in Oakengates and one in Wellington, husband and wife, Avril and Sterling Broad recently celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary and have owned Powerpoint Stores Ltd since 1995. Beginning with carrying out repairs in the garage, the business joined the Euronics family in 2004 and now has seven staff members, one of which (Sharron) has been with the business for 21 years.
Speaking to their daughter, Natalie, (Marketing Manager), tells us she joined the family business when she moved back to her parents’ house during lockdown, seeing her Mum and Dad work tirelessly answering calls and providing doorstep deliveries to those who needed appliances. With a loyal customer base, they are often told that the reason their customers keep coming back is because as an independent store they know the staff care and offer expert unbiased knowledge which they don’t often get at larger retailers.
If Natalie could have a superpower, she’d choose the ability to turn water into chocolate! And when she can travel, the place she’d most like to go to on holiday is the Dominican Republic, to sip on fresh sugarcane juice.
“Independent stores supporting local communities. Just how it should be.” ~ Nick Knowles
Fields Domestic Appliances (Clive & Amanda Schofield), Gerrards Cross & Beaconsfield
A family business in Buckinghamshire, Fields Domestic Appliances is owned and run by husband and wife, Clive, and Amanda Schofield - with two stores in the county, one in Gerrards Cross opening in 1995, and the other, in Beaconsfield, opening a year later in 1996. Very involved in their local community, Clive was the Town Councillor of Beaconsfield for 6 years, and the business always tries to help by offering discounts to local schools, donating prizes for raffles, and taking part in their local towns’ events.
Offering an all-round service, Fields sell domestic appliances and fitted kitchens too (in partnership with Symphony). So, you can expect to see a wide range of kitchens on display when you visit the Beaconsfield store, as well as an in-house design team who will help create your dream, bespoke kitchen! Priding themselves on taking the time to really understand what it is their customers are after and how they live day-to-day, Fields always welcome customers with a smile, and match the product to the individual - providing any required technical support long after purchase too.
When they’re not busy helping customers, or keeping up-to-date with the latest manufacturer product training, owner Amanda says she’s dreaming of going skiing in Whistler, where she’d move to if she could!
Switch On (David Rowland), Bishop Auckland
Established in 1983, appliance store Switch On has been in the same market town location for over 35 years and is now owned by David Rowland.
Having built up a wealth of knowledge on home appliances over many years of service, John Waites (store manager) has been with the business from the very start, and David Little (assistant manager) marked his 25 year anniversary with the business last summer, having joined straight after leaving school.
A popular local store for Panasonic TVs and entertainment, Switch On has been there to offer expert advice to their loyal customers in the Bishop Auckland community through the ever evolving technology of TVs from tube/CRT to plasma screens, and through the digital switchover too.
Having furloughed staff during lockdowns, the business survived by offering doorstep deliveries, (owner, David, helping with these), and ensuring that all back orders were fulfilled so customers had all the essential appliances they needed.
After a very busy 2021, David hopes to soon enjoy a well-deserved short trip to The Lakes, and shares that as a Father to a 4 year old and a 6 year old, if he could be a superhero, he would be The Flash - in order to get round all of the customer deliveries in lightning timing!
The Atlantic Electrics Family, Top (L to R) Kantibhai, Ashwin bhai, (late) Pushpaben and (late) Rajnibhai, Middle (L to R): Dilip, Rashnita and Kalu, Bottom (L to R): Hitesh, Dipesh, Reena & Rinesh
Atlantic Electrics (Rinesh Patel), North West London
Speaking with Rinesh, one of the business directors, he explains that Atlantic Electrics truly is a family run business. Started initially by three brothers, Antichain, Ashwinbhai and Rajnibhai in Wilsden in 1972, followed by their children, and their partners who continued to join the business throughout the years. Setting up the business in Wilsden, Atlantic Electrics, now situated on North Circular Road in London, is approaching its 50th year in business this year. And celebrated the 20th year in business of their sister company, Westend DJ, last year too!
Telling us that their customers keep coming back due to their patience, the way in which they explain the product’s technical features, and how they help find the best product, for each customers’ needs, Rinesh also emphasises that the business makes great efforts to keep waste to a minimum and recycle as much as possible. Having recently expanded into kitchens, the family run business now has a kitchen design studio too!
Despite being a London based business, Atlantic Electrics had phone calls from all over the country during the fridge freezer shortage of the pandemic and were pleased to be able to help customers over the telephone that weren’t confident or trusting of ordering online. If he could have a superpower, it would be to spread joy. And when Rinesh can get away on holiday, he’d like to go to Tenerife, or anywhere by the sea.
Missed our previous blog introducing you to five more of our independent retailers? You can find out more about them here. If you didn’t recognise your local store above, don’t worry, there’s one in a community near you. For friendly expert advice, in depth product knowledge on appliances for your home and excellent after sales care recommended by Nick Knowles, find your local Euronics store.
