Irish consumers continue to place significant value on local ownership, community involvement and investment in stores, according to new research from Homevalue, Ireland’s network of 88 locally owned home improvement stores
The study of 1,000 Irish consumers found that 70 per cent believe it is important that their local hardware or home improvement retailer is Irish-owned, while 43 per cent say they prefer shopping with locally owned retailers wherever possible. By comparison, fewer than one in five consumers (19 per cent) say they prefer larger national or international retail chains.
The findings also highlight growing expectations around the role retailers play in their communities. Nearly three-quarters of consumers (73 per cent) said it is important that local hardware and home improvement retailers actively support local clubs, organisations and community initiatives.
Meanwhile, 88 per cent said it is important that their local hardware retailer feels modern, well-maintained and regularly invested in, reflecting increasing expectations around customer experience and store environments.
When it comes to choosing a local hardware or home improvement retailer, consumers ranked price (46 per cent), product quality (41 per cent) and expert advice (27 per cent) as the most important factors influencing where they shop.
Commenting on the findings, Paul Candon, CEO of United Hardware, who owns and operates the Homevalue brand, said: “The research reinforces something we’ve long believed; consumers value businesses that are rooted in their communities, provide genuine expertise and continue to invest in improving the customer experience.
“Local ownership, community involvement and trusted advice remain important differentiators. While customers expect competitive pricing and quality products, they also want retailers that understand their communities and are actively contributing to them.
“That’s exactly what Homevalue is built on. Our stores are independently owned, deeply embedded in their local communities and supported by a strong national network that allows them to continue evolving and investing for the future.”
The findings come as Homevalue rolls out Welcome to the Family, its first national brand campaign and a key milestone in the brand’s wider elevation strategy.
The campaign aims to significantly build recognition of Homevalue as one of Ireland’s leading indigenous brands while celebrating its network of locally owned stores, trusted local expertise and community connections that sit at the heart of the Homevalue brand.
Candon added, “Under our ambitious growth strategy, we are making a significant investment in building Homevalue into one of Ireland’s leading retail brands. We’ve been outperforming the wider market in recent years, even without fully realising the potential of the brand. This investment programme is about unlocking that potential and accelerating our growth in the years ahead.”
With 88 locally owned stores across Ireland, Homevalue combines the scale and support of a national network with the personal service, local knowledge and community involvement that consumers increasingly value.
For more information, visit https://ferdiastore.ie/
