E.ON to open concept store with RPM

RPM is working with energy company E.ON to launch the energy brand’s first ever high-street concept store, set for Nottingham’s city centre in October this year. The ‘Open House’ is initially a six-month trial that will allow customers to manage bills, solve problems, learn about home energy saving initiatives and speak directly to trained E.ON representatives.

Customers and local residents will be able to visit the Open House to learn more about E.ON’s involvement in their area through city-wide initiatives such as smart metering, community events and job creative schemes. It will also act as a hub for customers to access rewards and priority tickets as part of E.ON’s community sponsorship in the city that has already seen it sponsor the Cycle Live and Nottingham Riviera events. The store is not sales focused, moreover it continues E.ON’s mission to help their consumers save energy and provide a face to the brand.

The Open House initiative follows a YouGov poll for E.ON which found that face-to-face contact was ranked the highest, with over 35% of customers identifying it as the best way of getting a response from a company.

Jeremy Davies, marketing director at E.ON, said: “Being back on the high-street is a real sea-change for the energy industry. Our Open House allows our customers to speak to us face-to-face at a time and place that’s convenient to them. RPM’s creative and strategic approach to the E.ON Energy Fit Roadshow and E.ON’s sponsorship of the E.ON Nottingham Riviera will inevitably ensure that the Open House is as engaging to the public as these projects have been.”

Dom Robertson, managing director at RPM said: “It is extremely exciting to have an energy brand back on the high-street, proving the real value of face-to-face marketing and direct consumer engagement. We share E.ON’s passion to help their customers to save money, and the Open House is an outstanding example of an energy brand thinking differently, creatively and innovatively toward approaching their customers.”