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28th January 2021

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Scotland's 'on the up', says new national sales manager

Allyson Doak is the Crosswater Group's National Sales Manager for Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. With over 20 years' experience in the bathroom industry, Allyson who, has been with the company for six years, was promoted in November last year and feels her success is partly down to the compelling product mix in the Crosswater Group but also - and significantly, the increasing confidence in the Scottish economy.

With research from Bank of Scotland earlier this month pointing to increases in Scottish business confidence and Douglas Fraser from BBC News' Scotland Business highlighting a 'long-awaited springtime in Scotland's economy', coupled with the jobless figures falling for Scotland again by 11,000 in the last period. Ally says: "The feeling of optimism is palpable".

Ally's promotion last year coincided with 'a sharp rise in consumer confidence in Scotland' according to GFK, one of the world's leading market research companies, in a survey carried out for the European Commission. At that time Scottish consumers were said to be positive about 2013. "This is certainly the case with my retailer customers," says Ally. "The Scots are naturally optimistic anyway wherever I go and to whomever I speak, the outlook is always bright and positive."

Crosswater Group, itself bucking any recessionary trend, has unleashed a flood of innovations into the UK bathroom market. "Scottish retailers are early adopters of innovation. They want the latest and best as soon as possible," says Ally. "Crosswater Digital has been really well received and can be viewed as a barometer of confidence in Scottish bathroom retailing. If a retailer didn't think he could sell it you'd know about it and he certainly wouldn't put it on display."

During March this year Crosswater Group, which includes Bauhaus bathroom furniture, Simpsons showering and Crosswater brassware and showers, launched over 150 new product lines. "This is typical of the Group," explains Ally. "My very first introduction to Crosswater was selling it to the consumer as it offered quality, style, flexibility and strong support through customer service.

"To do well in Scotland you have to offer a first rate service. We deliver twice a week to all our customers no matter where they are - facts that have contributed to a 25% growth in sales in Scotland year on year."

T: 0845 873 8840
W: www.crosswater.co.uk

2nd May 2013