Topps Tiles

Topps Tiles was founded in 1963 by Alan Brindle and Edward (Ted) Derbyshire, who opened the company’s first store in Sale, Cheshire.{{cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/business-money/markets/article/topps-tiles-sales-fall-amid-spending-squeeze-mt2m87wh7|title=Topps Tiles sales fall amid spending squeeze|date=5 January 2024| newspaper=The Times|access-date=7 January 2024}}{{Cite web |last=Tiles |first=Topps |title=Topps Tiles Careers :: About us |url=https://jobs.toppstiles.co.uk/about-us/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Topps Tiles Careers}} Derbyshire had a varied career before establishing the business, having served in the RAF, worked as a salesman and dairy labourer, and been employed in the furniture industry. He identified a niche for patterned tiles that catered to the growing DIY and home improvement market, which inspired him to start Topps Tiles.{{Cite web |last=Scapens |first=Alex |date=2019-02-02 |title=Tribute paid as Topps Tiles founder Edward Derbyshire dies aged 88 |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/news/tribute-paid-topps-tiles-founder-15759764 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Cheshire Live |language=en}} Over the years, Derbyshire went on to establish 30 other businesses before retiring and selling Topps Tiles to Stuart Williams and Barry Bester in 1993.

Following its beginnings in 1963, the company continued to grow, with stores opening across the North West and the Midlands.{{cite news|url=https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/19288242.due-replace-barrows-topps-tiles-store/ |title=This is what is due to replace Barrow's Topps Tiles store

|date=10 May 2021|newspaper=North West England Mail| access-date=7 January 2024}} During this time, Tile Kingdom was rapidly expanding in the South of England and, in 1990, Tile Kingdom merged with Topps Tiles, increasing the total number of Topps Tiles stores to 40 across the UK.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/merger-paved-way-for-tilings-top-profile-7n87czkpr89|title=Merger paved way for tiling's top profile|last1=Verjee|first1=Neelam|date=22 August 2005|newspaper=The Times|access-date=7 January 2024}} By 1999, Topps Tiles was trading from 100 locations and was now trading as a PLC.{{Citation |title=Jack, Rt Hon. (John) Michael, (born 17 Sept. 1946), PC 1997; Chairman, Topps Tiles plc, 2011–15 (non-executive Director, 2000–15) |date=2007-12-01 |work=Who's Who |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.21613 |access-date=2024-12-12 |publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.21613 |url-access=subscription }}

With a network of stores across the UK, Topps Tiles launched its e-commerce store in 2008 to bring its products to an even wider audience. In 2020, the retailer set an ambitious goal: to secure £1 in every £5 spent on tiles in the UK within five years.{{Cite web |last=Pegden |first=Tom |date=2020-12-01 |title=Topps Tiles wants £1 of every £5 spent on tiles within five years |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/topps-tiles-wants-1-every-19376735 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Business Live |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Topps Group (Overview) |url=https://www.retail-week.com/retailnavigator/topps-group/165.supplier |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Retail Week |language=en}} The organisation expanded its product lineup in 2024 by introducing Pronto, its luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring brand. As of 2024, the company operates 300 stores and continues to offer its full range of products online at www.toppstiles.co.uk.{{Cite web |url=https://www.toppstiles.co.uk/about-us/company |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=www.toppstiles.co.uk|title=About us}}

Topps Tiles sits within the Topps Group.{{Cite web |title=Our brands - Topps Group |url=https://toppstiles-toppsgroupcom.azurewebsites.net/about-us/our-brands/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=toppstiles-toppsgroupcom.azurewebsites.net |language=en}} The Topps Group is formed of eight brands.

Tile Kingdom

Its first merger was with Tile Kingdom in 1990.{{Cite web |title=Company history |url=https://www.toppstiles.co.uk/about-us/company-history |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.toppstiles.co.uk}}

Parkside

In 2017, Topps Tiles acquired the commercial tile retailer Parkside.

Strata

In 2018, the company acquired another commercial tile retailer, Strata.{{Cite web |title=Topps Tiles Reveals New Acquisition |url=https://www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/topps-tiles-reveals-new-acquisition/7145.htm |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.insightdiy.co.uk}}

Pro Tiler Tools

Topps Tiles bought a 60% share in the family-owned tiling supplies business, Pro Tiler in March 2022 and announced that it intended to purchase the remaining 40% after March 2024.{{Cite web |last=Nazir |first=Sahar |date=2022-03-10 |title=Topps Tiles acquires 60% stake in tiling supplier Pro Tiler |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2022/03/topps-tiles-acquires-60-stake-in-tiling-supplier-pro-tiler/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Pegden |first=Tom |date=2022-03-10 |title=Topps Tiles buys majority stake in family-run tilers' tool retailer |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/retail-consumer/topps-tiles-buys-majority-stake-23345046 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Business Live |language=en}}

Tile Warehouse

To further diversify its offerings, Topps Tiles launched a new pureplay tile retailer, Tile Warehouse, in May 2022.{{Cite web |last=Rigby |first=Chloe |date=2022-05-23 |title=Topps Tiles launches new online-only business as it reports record first-half sales – but says supply and labour challenges continue |url=https://internetretailing.net/topps-tiles-launches-new-online-only-business-as-it-reports-record-first-half-sales-but-says-supply-and-labour-challenges-continue-24842/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=InternetRetailing |language=en}}

CTD Tiles

In August 2024, Topps Tiles acquired CTD Tiles out of administration.{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=Amber |date=2024-08-19 |title=Topps Tiles acquires CTD brand and assets out of administration for £9m |url=https://www.cityam.com/topps-tiles-acquires-ctd-brand-and-assets-out-of-administration-for-9m/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=City AM |language=en-GB}}

With over 3,000 employees, Topps Tiles is required to report its mean and median gender pay gaps. In 2023, the Group reported a median gender pay gap of 2.4% and a mean gap of 6.5%, while the retail division showed an even narrower gap, with a median of 2.3% and a mean of 2.5%.{{Cite web |title=Gender pay gap reports - Topps Group |url=https://www.toppsgroup.com/governance/gender-pay-gap-reports/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=toppstiles-toppsgroupcom.azurewebsites.net |language=en}} Both figures are significantly lower than the UK average, where the median pay gap is 14.3% and the mean gap is 13.2%.{{Cite web |title=Gender pay gap in the UK - Office for National Statistics |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/earningsandworkinghours/bulletins/genderpaygapintheuk/2023 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.ons.gov.uk}}

In 2007, Matthew Williams was appointed CEO of Topps Tiles. He served as CEO for 12 years and spent a total of 20 years with the company before stepping down in 2019.{{Cite journal |last=Jenkins |first=Jo Ann |date=2019-01-23 |title=From the CEO: Celebrating 60 Years of International Engagement |url=https://doi.org/10.26419/int.00036.002 |journal=AARP International: The Journal |volume=12 |pages=10 |doi=10.26419/int.00036.002|doi-access=free }} In November 2019, the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Rob Parker, succeeded Williams as CEO.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-05 |title=New CEO announced for Topps Tiles |url=https://www.buildersmerchantsnews.co.uk/New-CEO-announced-for-Topps-Tiles/47907 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.buildersmerchantsnews.co.uk |language=en}}

Darren Shapland served as the tile retailer’s chairman from 2014 to 2023.{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Aoife |date=2023-05-18 |title=Topps Tiles lines up Paul Forman as chairman designate - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2023/05/topps-tiles-chairman-forman/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |language=en-GB}} During his tenure, he faced a shareholder vote after investor MS Galleon called for his removal, describing it as a “necessary step” for the business to return to growth.{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Aoife |date=2023-01-18 |title=Topps Tiles chairman survives shareholder's bid to oust him - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2023/01/topps-tiles-chairman-survives/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |language=en-GB}} In October 2023, Paul Forman succeeded Shapland as the new chairman, taking over the role.

Between 2007 and 2009, Topps Tiles sponsored Leicester City Football Club's shirts. Since the 2020/21 season, Topps Tiles has been the main shirt sponsor and official partner of Leicester Tigers Rugby Club, with this agreement being extended until 2025.{{Cite web |last=Daniels |first=Tom |date=2020-07-17 |title=Leicester Tigers finds new main partner in Topps Tiles - Insider Sport |url=https://insidersport.com/2020/07/17/leicester-tigers-finds-new-main-partner-in-topps-tiles/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |language=en-US}} Outside of sports, in 2010, Topps Tiles sponsored the ITV Weather and, in 2013, sponsored Daybreak's national weather forecast programme.{{Cite web |title=Topps Tiles confirms ITV weather sponsorship deal |url=https://www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/topps-tiles-confirms-itv-weather-sponsorship-deal/2301.htm |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.insightdiy.co.uk}}

In 2014, property expert Phil Spencer became Topps Tiles' first brand ambassador{{Cite news |date=2014-09-05 |title=Phil Spencer cuts the ribbon at new Topps Tiles Bayswater boutique |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/phil-spencer-cuts-the-ribbon-at-new-topps-tiles-bayswater-boutique-9715593.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20150930233316/http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/phil-spencer-cuts-the-ribbon-at-new-topps-tiles-bayswater-boutique-9715593.html |archive-date=2015-09-30 |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=Evening Standard |language=en-GB}} and, in 2017, property developer and TV presenter Sarah Beeny was announced as the company’s second brand ambassador.{{Cite web |title=Topps Tiles appoints Sarah Beeny as brand ambassador |url=https://www.insightdiy.co.uk/news/topps-tiles-appoints-sarah-beeny-as-brand-ambassador/5887.htm |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.insightdiy.co.uk}}{{Cite web |author1=Rebecca Knight |date=2019-11-02 |title=Sarah Beeny says these Victorian tiles are a must-have for would-be home restorers |url=https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/topps-tiles-victorian-flooring-sarah-beeny-237405 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Ideal Home |language=en}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.toppstiles.co.uk/blog/news/sarah-beenys-best-bits |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=www.toppstiles.co.uk|title=Sarah Beeny's Best Bits}}

Over the years, Topps Tiles has supported various charities. The company’s first charity partnership was with Asthma UK, followed by a partnership with Help for Heroes in 2008. From 2015 to 2022, the tile retailer partnered with Macmillan Cancer Support{{Cite web |title=Topps partners with Macmillan Cancer Support |url=https://www.diyweek.net/topps-partners-with-macmillan-cancer-support |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=www.diyweek.net |language=en-US}} and, since 2022, Topps Tiles has been working with Alzheimer’s Society.{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=Dan |date=2022-09-06 |title=Topps continues support for charity partner with upcoming events |url=https://www.bigfurnituregroup.com/topps-continues-support-for-charity-partner-with-upcoming-events/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Big Furniture Group |language=en-GB}}

In 2012, just before celebrating its 50th anniversary, the company unveiled its flagship ‘lab’ store in Milton Keynes.{{Cite web |title=Topps Tiles unveils new concept 'lab' store with 20.20 |url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2012/06/19/topps-tiles-unveils-new-concept-lab-store-2020 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=The Drum}}

Continuing its focus on innovative customer experiences, Topps Tiles launched a series of boutique stores in London in 2014. The flagship boutique store in Walton-on-Thames had running costs that were three-quarters the size of a traditional Topps store and offered half of a traditional store’s Stock Keeping Units.{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Nicola |date=14 January 2014 |title=In pictures: Topps Tiles first small format Boutique store opens |url=https://www.retail-week.com/stores/in-pictures-topps-tiles-first-small-format-boutique-store-opens/5056431.article |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Retail Week |language=en}} In early 2023, Topps Tiles opened its first eco-mindful store in Guildford.

• 2022 - Flute in Dulux's Bright Skies{{Cite web |date=2021-09-18 |title=Art Deco-inspired Flute is the Tile of the Year for 2022 |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/decorate/walls/a37612783/flute-topps-tiles/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=House Beautiful |language=en-GB}}
• 2021 - Zellica Bronze{{Cite web |date=2020-09-18 |title=This is the Tile of the Year for 2021 |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/decorate/a34072712/topps-tiles-zellica/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=House Beautiful |language=en-GB}}
• 2020 - Syren Midnight Blue{{Cite web |date=2019-09-12 |title=Topps Tiles reveals its 2020 Tile of the Year |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/decorate/a29021315/topps-tiles-year/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=House Beautiful |language=en-GB}}
• 2019 - Lampas Peacock{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Tamara Kelly last |date=2018-10-29 |title=Topps Tiles names this rich teal design as Tile of the Year 2019 |url=https://www.idealhome.co.uk/news/tile-of-the-year-2019-topps-tiles-213428 |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Ideal Home |language=en}}

During the 2011 recession, shares in Topps Tiles dropped by nearly 30%,{{Cite news |date=2012-05-29 |title=Topps Tiles' profits drop 50% in tough economic times |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18248417 |access-date=2024-12-12 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} while half-year profits fell by 50% compared to the same period the previous year. Commentators attributed this decline, in part, to the growing competition from DIY retailers, which had been expanding their product offerings to include tiles, posing an increasing threat to Topps Tiles' market share.

Following its acquisition of CTD Tiles, Topps Tiles was issued an Initial Enforcement Order (IEO) by the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in October 2024. The IEO prevented Topps Tiles from fully integrating CTD Tiles into its operations until the CMA had completed a review to ensure that the transaction complies with competition regulations.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-03 |title=UK watchdog bars Topps Tiles from integrating CTD assets for now |url=https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/AN_1727986490247866600/uk-watchdog-bars-topps-tiles-from-integrating-ctd-assets-for-now.aspx |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=MorningstarUK |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Media |first=Insider |date=2024-10-04 |title=CMA serves initial enforcement order on CTD Tiles deal - Insider Media |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/national/cma-serves-initial-enforcement-order-on-ctd-tiles-deal |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=Insider Media Ltd |language=en}}

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Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom

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