Presenting an unlimited choice

Press, 24 March 1988, Page 22

Presenting an unlimited choice

:. Hurst and Drake [are moving their wallpaper service into the [future, and they have noj intention of looking back, j Mr Hurst, the chairman, | believes that with I world markets opening lip and new, manufacturing techniques emerging, there is nbw an almost unlimited choice of design, colour, texture and wearing properties in wallpaper. ■ I “We have searched all oyer the world to be able to offer a range of wallpapers to suit every taste. We have papers] from Britain, Holland, [ Germany, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. [ [ “Every manufacturer is represented, allowing a full choice of price, colour and design for our customers.” j Hurst and Drake customers can find all! this in the Attic, the completely redesigned upstairs section of the city brhnch. I They will also find there a staff handi-picked by management consultant, Noel James, and trained to the most exacting of standards, part of this training involved going through local suppliers’ factories, gaining a knowledge of every facet of the wallpaper industry. ! “Our staff are trained hot only ~in the products but in the courtesies of Sendee, and in the admin-

[ istrative duties of: their individual poles,” said Mr ‘ James. “Our (customers I are I Idealin ’ (with professionals. They khow what they’re doihg.” I i Establishing the; Attic hasll been one! of Mr. James’ tasks since he beI ganifaorkiig with ( Hurst i and! brake. He believes it | is ahi exciting opportunity j for a company faith such i an established presence in | the market. ■ | ‘‘The expertise of Hurst

and Drake j in wallpaper is unquestioned, [ With 160 years background in the product! iwe I have the knowledge | to recognise what’s worth stocking and what’s y/orth showing to the customer.' “We guarantee every product we sell, and [we never touch anything which isn’t of a high quality.” J I |< | / : The Attic stocks a huge range of papers which are immediately available' to

the customer, spanning the spectrum of pricerange and taste. :'l j : Then : there are the wallpaper books, allowing the customer access to the whole of the New Zealand market and, what I Mr James describes as “a large chunk” of the overseas market. Hurst and Drake have a unique system which allows them to bring in wallpaper on order much’ more quickly than people

11 ■.- -hli T i i H I [nave come to expect • — a ■ maximum of four weeks for imported rolls j land about three days for anything made in New' Zealand. . !.[i : i [ According to Mr James, their [suppliers | are ecstatic. They have given Hurst and Drake a lot of support, I assisting with their staff training and promotions. i j j .I' I Many will be present at the opening celebrations of the [ Attic I today,' giving customers a [chance to get even mdre specialised information on ! specific wallpapers. '| i ( Mr James * and I Mr Hurst are expecting a "tremendous” turnout at the ’ Attic today. J They have, put many of their most popular wallpaper lines on special i for l the day; and ZM-FM] breakfast il | host, Mark, I' Perry, will be broadcasting live from their |ishop during the morning. [ Specials on a smaller Scale will also be held in Hurst and Drake’s other branches around the city. ■ With the introduction of the Attic, Mr Hurst believes i that Hurst]! and, prakei have everything a customer could want. “We ! have colour, we have design, we have price and we have service.” I’ .j] I .1. They also have an en-. thusiasm for theirii new]: venture that customers i cannot help but appreciB WKi M ■ H i II ■