Recession? What Recession?

Yorkshire based distie, Target Components, claims that its 2009 performance demonstrates that independent retailers and system builders are beating the recession and out-performing the rest of the economy.

As Target MD Paul Cubbage explains Our customer base and primary focus has always been independent retailers and small to medium size SIs and resellers. After 12 years in the channel, the unprecedented growth weve seen in 2009 clearly shows that our customers are stronger than ever, and not only surviving the economic climate, but really thriving.

Target has enjoyed a record year with sales, orders and spending customers all showing above 40% growth on 2008, the companys previous best year. They have also expanded the Target workforce by 40% in the same period despite the worst economic climate in living memory.

hilst Target has continued to introduce new and unique innovations in 2009 such as Flexible Product Feeds, the Automated Business Catalogue, and the Technology Skill Share Programme Cubbage believes that Targets success in 2009 is  own to two main factors: continued investment in customer service and the underlying strength of their customers.

Weve invested heavily in development of our customer service, communication and feedback systems, weve introduced our Customer Focus Group and significantly expanded our Open Day (Targets 2009 Open Day attracted over 250 resellers), but without a shadow of a doubt we could not have achieved this level of performance without the underlying strength of our customers businesses.

Cubbage believes that tougher times for indies in recent years, with increased competition from high street multiples and e-tailers, had already forced retailers to evolve into far more resilient business models. He also refers to the economic downturn as a Robin Hood recession because: Whilst weve seen some major high street names fail over the last year or so, independent retailers are thriving as customers turn to the expertise and exceptional customer service that indies can offer their local communities and believes that Targets unprecedented growth in 2009 is further evidence of the strength and resilience of the channel to significantly outperform the wider economy.