Tentworld’s incredible year
From strength to strength for family-owned business
TENTWORLD has wrapped up a stellar year by finishing in the SmartCompany Smart50 list for the second time in as many years, and taking out the Top Retailer Award.
The most recent accolade, awarded last month, is the latest in a string of awards collected by the company over the past 12 months.
The business, run by father and son Alex and Jon Burrell, also placed in the AFR’s Fast 100 list, was named a finalist in this year’s National Retail Association’s Medium Retailer of the Year category, and took out Best Regional Business at the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Heritage Bank Business Excellence Awards.
Jon Burrell is the third generation of the family to work the business, after it was started by his grandfather Rex in Toowoomba in 1968.
From helping out in the store at a young age during school holidays, Jon started working full time for the business in 2011 after a stint with Toowoomba Holden.
The company began expanding in 2004 with its first Brisbane store. The past two years has seen a further seven stores open under the Tentworld brand.
Jon said that it was rewarding to have his family and employees’ hard work recognised.
Tentworld’s point of difference was trying to “tick all three boxes” of range, price and service, he said.
“We’ve also got an omnichannel experience as well. (Customers) can browse our range online, and come into store and get it. Or they can pay the same price online and have it delivered to them,” he said.
“If they buy online and need to, they can return it to a store for whatever reason.
“That’s something that’s obviously difficult to achieve and over the past few years we’ve been able to establish a true national network. The only missing piece is Sydney.”