Maples Stores begins advertising review to back expansion scheme

Furniture retailer Maples Stores is believed to be reviewing its 3m advertising account as it begins a major expansion programme into out-of-town sites.

Advertising for the middle to upmarket chain is with Guru Communications, which recently merged with Snowball & Found.

The company, which was formerly part of the Allied Maples group, was bought by its management two years ago from owner Asda. It has been with Snowball & Found since July 1992.

The 22-store chain opened its latest outlet in Preston two weeks ago and plans to open a further nine stores this year, increasing company turnover by about 80 per cent.

It is planning to open eight more stores in 1997.

Chris Peddar, Maples Stores marketing director, says: “We are expanding into retail parks, having traditionally been in the high street.

“We will review all our business in the light of that change.”

The company’s next store will open in March in Peterborough.