Maplin is the UK's largest electronics retailer.
Maplin all started in a
bedroom in Essex by Roger Allen and Doug Simmons:
"We launched our business for people like us. Finding electronic components
wasn't easy in 1972. Many companies advertised items but most were government
or industrial surplus and although cheap, were often inconsistent in their quality
and availability". As electronics enthusiasts themselves. Roger Allen and
Doug Simmons, both GPO telephone engineers at the time, were well aware of the
failings of existing suppliers. In their spare time they made equipment for
pop groups such as fuzz pedals and sound compressors, but were often unable
to obtain quality components. "There were plenty of catalogues, but you
didn't necessarily get what was in them." said Roger. "We thought
there must be lots of people like us - people trying to produce professional
equipment or hobbyists looking for a reliable source of quality components."
Joined by Roger's wife Sandra, a mother of two young daughters, and using a
bedroom in the Allen's home in Rayleigh, Essex, they set up Maplin Electronic
Supplies.
A breakthrough came in 1978 with the first catalogue to feature colour, and an expanded product range and more technical data and information than ever before. Maplin had to double its staff to cope with the demand. Successive catalogues introduced major innovations. The first laser available to the amateur, and, in 1981, the first home computer. That year also saw the launch of a new magazine for enthusiasts, Electronics. MPS, then the Maplin Professional Supplies, was created in 1985 to service the expanding professional market, with a catalogue of products selected specifically for professionals and the business market. For the next decade the business continued to grow, but Maplin was in danger of becoming a victim of its own success. "By 1994 we were turning over £29 million a year." said Roger Allen. "but the rate of growth we needed to maintain wasn't going to be possible without us teaming up with someone else" "We didn't think we could stretch the company to accommodate the rate at which we needed to grow to remain a credible supplier. Other people were getting together to form bigger and bigger organisations and we felt we could get left behind." "We looked around for someone who wasn't just going to swallow us up, but had some electronic presence which didn't conflict with ours. Saltire fitted the bill perfectly. Maplin was acquired by Saltire in late 1994, and less than a year later opened the first of a new generation of retail outlets, the Maplin Superstore in Leeds.
The business continues to grow and the product range is very extensive. Over 15,000 products are available from the catalogue, e-commerce and store network. The broad product categories are Sound & Vision, Computer products and Hobbies & Electronics. We introduce hundreds are new and exciting products every month and pride ourselves on our unique product offer.
Maplin Launched its transactional website in 1999, and at the time it was very unique. Not only did it provide access to all the products in the business but it also checked stock availability and reserved items for customers in real time. The site had to live up to our customer’s expectations from day 1 which meant we had to engineer more features into the site. The site very quickly received over 1 million hits per month and is regularly used by thousands of customers.
The business continues to grow at a phenomenal rate with company sales set to break the £100m barrier in 2003. The business continues to expand its operation in the Far East and is constantly looking to find new, interesting and innovative products for its customers.
Dr Keith Pacey comments “I am extremely pleased that the business has been able to make the transition into a successful retailer in a complex and difficult market” he said “I know that the team are really looking forward to the next chapter in this businesses development”. Maplin Electronics is investing in expansion of the National Distribution Centre. Further Store openings are also planned in the UK and Republic of Ireland. 10 new sites have been targeted and are due for launch in mid to late 2004.
The business has a medium term goal of 250 retail stores throughout the UK and the republic of Ireland before it needs to think about further European expansion.
Maplin superstores showcase the latest products in a self service environment along with dedicated demostration areas, making it easier for customers to shop. Open seven days a week, these superstores also provide the convenience of in-store repairs and service.
You can shop online at the maplin web site. The following department stores are available at maplins on the internet web site:
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