Highgrove Bathrooms’ $140m Turnover Bolsters Unprecedented Expansion

The retail sector has faced its share of challenges – especially recently. For leading national bathroom retailer Highgrove Bathrooms, however, the 2021/2022 financial year has been its best year yet in its 18 years of trading.

Founded in 2005 by Lindsay Sinclair, the now two-generation family-run business quickly made its mark in the bathroom accessories retail landscape, growing from strength to strength year on year with 20 – 40 percent growth. They have outgrown their headquarters and main warehouse six times before purchasing a 2.5 ha site in Molendinar on the Gold Coast in 2015.

Fast-forward to 2022: despite the challenges the past two years have brought, and being overshadowed by a pandemic – Highgrove Bathrooms have successfully opened its 50th store located in Rockhampton, and now employs over 250 staff nationwide.

Highgrove Bathrooms is also currently expanding its headquarters with 2500m² of purpose-built office space at their commercial site on the Gold Coast. In the 2021/2022 financial year they have sold 20,000 baths, 44,000 toilets, 53,000 vanities, and 46,000 basins – plus container loads of mixers, tap-ware, and bathroom accessories.

Most telling in this unprecedented growth of Highgrove Bathrooms is that rather than buckle down to weather the storms of a GFC, fluctuations in building approvals, interest rates, and economic climate Managing Director, James Sinclair (who took the reins in 2012) steered them to invest heavily into product development based mainly on consumer demand and feedback.

“We needed to be flexible as we are constantly re-engineering ourselves to keep up with an ever-evolving market. Recently one of our main focuses has been on the introduction of interchangeable components, allowing every customer to tailor a bathroom that is totally unique to them,” James says.

“Eight years ago, it was enough to offer a matt black range, 4 years ago, a range of products in pastels. Today the market is more discerning and fastidious,” James stated.

“We have design and development teams to keep us relevant.” Over the past decade, Highgrove Bathrooms has developed its interchangeable range of tap-ware, sinks, vanities, and bath and shower accessories to allow customers to design their own unique style – be it stainless steel, matt black, brushed nickel or brass. They have also broadened their ever-expanding selection of vanities, basins, and finishes with their latest ranges CRETE, EVOKE, and TERRAZZO leading their growth.

It is easy to see why they have seen such strong expansion. Traditionally starting out to cater to the development market, Highgrove Bathrooms has always delivered high-quality affordable bathroom accessory options direct to the consumer, DIYers, and the renovator market. In meeting demand, they have also been growing an ever-increasing direct-to-trade side of the business. Now with 50 stores nationally and thriving online sales, the direction James has been taking over the past decade has certainly paid off.

“I have always equated our success to listening to the market and what the customers want and finding the right people to partner with. Our business model is somewhat unique with the vast majority of our stores operating under a partnership arrangement operated by individuals passionate about the industry and their local communities,” James explained.

In looking back over almost two decades of the Highgrove Bathroom brand, they have consistently recorded year-on-year growth, have carved out a niche in which they continue to meet demand, and have stood firm while keeping prices low – with a desire to also give back to their communities. Clearly, Highgrove Bathrooms has found a recipe that spells success: not only for the company but for their loyal following of DIYers, renovators, tradies, and new home builders. www.highgrovebathrooms.com.au.