Hilton Garage opens dedicated collection centre in Derby

Hilton Garage, the independent used‑car supermarket, has transformed the former Aldi store opposite its main Derby site into a dedicated customer collection centre. The new facility separates hand‑over processes from sales, supporting the company’s ambition to reach a 24,000‑car annual target.

Key takeaways

• Hilton Garage turned the former Aldi into a collection centre.
• The centre is located opposite its main Derby base.
• Hand‑over processes are now separate from sales.
• The move supports a 24,000‑car annual target.

Conversion of a former Aldi

Hilton Garage redeveloped the vacant Aldi supermarket into a purpose‑built collection centre. The adaptation involved installing vehicle bays, customer waiting areas and signage to align with the company’s retail standards.

The new site is intended solely for customer hand‑overs, removing these activities from the sales floor and providing a streamlined pick‑up experience.

Strategic location opposite Derby hub

Positioned directly opposite the company’s primary Derby operation, the centre benefits from existing logistics and staffing resources. The proximity reduces vehicle movement between the sales area and the hand‑over point.

For customers, the familiar Derby location offers easy access and clear directions, improving satisfaction and encouraging repeat business.

Separating hand‑overs from sales

By isolating hand‑over duties, Hilton Garage can allocate dedicated staff to manage collections, reducing bottlenecks on the showroom floor. This separation allows sales teams to focus on retail activities without interruption.

The approach is expected to speed up the finalisation of deals, minimise paperwork errors and enhance overall transaction transparency.

Support for 24,000‑car annual target

The collection centre is a core element of Hilton Garage’s plan to reach a 24,000‑car sales volume each year. Streamlined hand‑overs are projected to increase throughput and customer turnover.

Achieving this target will position the business as a leading independent used‑car supermarket in the region, potentially attracting larger inventory allocations.

What this means for dealers

Dealers may consider allocating separate facilities for vehicle collection to mirror this efficiency gain. A dedicated hand‑over space can free sales staff to concentrate on marketing and closing deals.

Adopting a similar model could improve customer experience, reduce processing times and help meet ambitious sales targets in a competitive market.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Hilton Garage's new collection centre?

The centre provides a dedicated location for customers to collect their vehicles, separating hand‑over activities from the main sales area to improve efficiency and customer experience.

How might the separation of hand‑overs from sales affect dealer operations?

Separating these functions allows sales staff to focus on selling while specialised staff manage collections, leading to quicker deal finalisation, fewer bottlenecks on the showroom floor and potentially higher sales throughput.