World’s largest franchise supplier of small-quantity metals reaches 122 stores while reporting record results in 2023
Metal Supermarkets, the world’s largest supplier of small-quantity metals, celebrated impressive accomplishments in 2023, comprising of record sales increases, new store openings, a striking 87 per cent Net Promoter Score and the addition of pivotal new franchise support roles.
Compared to 2022, Metal Supermarkets achieved a four per cent sales increase, yet again breaking the prior year’s record network revenue. This marks the 10th consecutive year that Metal Supermarkets has achieved record sales results. This sales increase was driven by a 10 per cent increase in invoice count, while the improved eCommerce platform led to online sales increasing by 38 per cent.
In addition, the brand expanded its North American presence with nine new stores across the United States and Canada for a total of 122 stores internationally. Metal Supermarkets has also started off 2024 strong, with over 10 stores in its development pipeline, including two that opened in early January 2024.
“Throughout 2023, Metal Supermarkets continued to grow through the dedication and achievements of our franchisees. They are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service to businesses and consumers in their local markets,” said Stephen Schober, president and CEO of Metal Supermarkets. “While franchisee efforts are always critical for our success, additional stores, improved eCommerce performance, and enhanced training and support for our franchisees all contributed to record network sales growth.”
In addition to this year’s sales growth, Metal Supermarkets added a key new member to its support team. Elliott Tepperman was recruited as the brand’s manager, eCommerce to oversee and support the advancement of this growing sales channel. New team members also joined other support teams in learning and development, operations, and marketing to better help franchisees succeed.
After such success in 2023, Metal Supermarkets climbed the ranks in Entrepreneur’s 45th annual Franchise 500, which is considered the best and most comprehensive franchise ranking in the world. This year, Metal Supermarkets rose to #203, which marks the eighth year in a row the brand has earned recognition on the highly competitive list of top franchise concepts, the highest placement to date.
The past year also marked the second year of Metal Supermarkets’ annual Trade School Scholarship, awarding scholarships to individuals pursuing a career in the skilled trades by attending a post-secondary trade school. Launched in an effort to combat the shortage of skilled trade workers, and in tandem with National Welding Month in April, the scholarship promotes trade school attendance and awareness.
In addition, Metal Supermarkets capped off a successful year with the announcement of the six winners of its annual Metal My Way contest. Showcasing the versatility and craftsmanship of metalworking, fabricating and design, the Metal My Way competition is an international photo and video submission contest that invites entrants to submit projects where they have transformed ordinary metal into inventive creations, innovative tools or works of art. The Grand Prize was awarded to Angellos Glaros of Nanaimo, B.C. for his majestic “Blue Heron”, while secondary prizes were awarded to winners across five different categories.
Occupying a stable and important niche in the $250 billion plus metal distribution industry, Metal Supermarkets is targeting new US franchise development throughout the Northeast, the Midwest, Texas, and the Southwest. An essential and niche business, the concept offers a recession-resistant, stable and successful opportunity for interested franchise investors. Each Metal Supermarkets location provides solutions to customers’ metal needs in both the business-to-business and business-to-consumer categories. With a diverse product base and a no-minimum order quantity, Metal Supermarkets builds long-lasting relationships with customers delivering an exceptional customer experience.
Known for its convenience, efficiency, product variety and dedication to quality customer service, Metal Supermarkets remains on target to achieve its goal of expanding to 150 units by the end of 2025.
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