Retail franchise chain Andersens Floor Coverings has just celebrated its two biggest sales months on record and has a 10 year plan to expand across the country.

The Queensland and Northern New South Wales chain has retail turnover of $90m; last year Andersens sold almost one million square metres of carpet and vinyl through its 44 stores and one mobile showroom.

All the outlets have a mobile showroom component but the first standalone mobile showroom has proved successful in its first year of operation. The Tamworth pilot mobile showroom is now rated among the top 20 stores for turnover.

CEO Brian Cooper said “Our customers love the convenience of our mobile showrooms – we’re always available at the time which suits them best. Within each of our existing stores, 70 percent of the business is conducted in someone’s home rather than the brick-and-mortar showroom.

“We are planning to expand our reach to 150 territories within the next 10 years via a staged roll out of both the mobile showrooms and bricks-and-mortar stores.”

Cooper said there has been significant interest in the mobile opportunities.

“The majority of our stores are franchises, with just six company-owned, and many of our franchisees have been with us for upwards of 15 years, some for 25 or more.

“Their passion for the business is a key driver of our continued growth.”

Cooper started as a carpet layer with the company in 1979 then helped the founder’s son to grow the business. Andersens is entering its 58th year of trade – it began franchising in 1981.