Collins Medical aims to be ‘concierge’

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Collins Medical Equipment is making a shift to high-end retail with a new downsized location in Bridgeport, Conn., and placing a greater emphasis on personalized customer service, says Bryan Collins. 

The move will allow the family-owned company to compete with the Amazons of the world by offering a deep knowledge base of what it sells, along with delivery and setup services, he said. 

“I buy local as much as I can, but sometimes you do need to buy on Amazon,” said Collins, director of sales and marketing. “What I have a problem with is customers that buy something on Amazon and it just comes in a box. They are going to be in big trouble having to put that thing together. So, we’re pushing that delivery and setup service as an option.” 

The new location is a return to roots for Collins Medical, which was founded in Bridgeport in 1931 as a pharmacy by Collins’ great grandfather. 

The location’s proximity to a large warehouse allows it to carry a large inventory of HME, including high-end lift chairs, stairlifts, mobility products and beds. Collins Medical also offers accessibility solutions and has a robust resupply business for diabetes, CPAP and incontinence products. 

“We’re still going to sell everything, we’re just not going to have this massive retail showroom space,” said Collins. “We’re really trying to have it be a destination where people are looking to come to us.” 

As part of its shift to high-end retail, Collins Medical is also allowing people to make appointments so that they can spend time really exploring what the provider can offer to help them transition back to the home or age in place more comfortably, says Collins. 

“You can rely on us and lean on us to be your concierge for your medical equipment,” he said. “With the large warehouse, we can allow for very quick, 24-hour turnaround for all our products and services.”