DIY chain Taskers to open two more stores on Merseyside

Feb 28 2013 Liverpool Echo

MERSEY DIY and home furnishings chain Taskers is opening two new stores in the region.

Taskers managing director John Tasker said he has seen a lift in sales both in his shops and online in recent months.

In the first few weeks of this year, there have been a number of high-profile retail collapses, including Jessops and HMV.

And the Liverpool city centre-based Rapid Hardware has also fallen victim to the recession.

However, Taskers is reporting sales well ahead of budgets. It said in 2012 its sales in wall coverings were up 15%, furniture up 30%, kitchens up 25% and bathroom sales up 6%.

Mr Tasker also said that he expected a huge increase in website traffic this year, taking it beyond one million hits for the first time.

Taskers mainly operates from two warehouse-style outlets in Aintree and Wavertree.

In the next few weeks, it is launching Taskers Decorative – two smaller outlets of around 5,000 sq ft in Formby and Heswall, each selling lighting and decorative accessories