Exotic importer up for sale

AN ICONIC importer, wholesaler and retailer of unique giftware, homeware and furniture is for sale in Hawke’s Bay, but with potential for relocation.

Barron Imports was established 42 years ago with the retail store at 60 Bridge St, Ahuriri, Napier opening 31⁄2 years ago. Currently they maintain a warehouse in Hastings, a website and wholesale operation.The business is renowned for the quality and individuality of the items it sources from Southeast Asia, mainly Thailand and Myanmar.

‘‘One of the owners had been a United Nations negotiator in the area for many years and his affinity with the locals has enabled them to establish a supply source of unique items that simply cannot be replicated,’’ says Gary Kaye, of Link Business, who is marketing Barron Imports with Brendan O’Connor.

‘‘Regular trips to the supplying villages have helped ensure the relationships remain strong and the right products are being made, with many being commissioned specifically for the vendors.’’

They include furniture, pots, urns and fountains, clocks, mirrors glass and ceramics, antiques and collectibles, and gates, doors and windows (many of which are more than 100 years old). The furniture is made from teak and indigenous hardwood, with small pieces from rosewood and monkeywood.

‘‘With no two items being exactly the same, the growing consumer demand for ‘something different’ is being satisfied and the growth in business in recent years has been nothing short of spectacular,’’ Kaye says.

He says the retiring owners are happy to stay on to ensure critical relationships are maintained and to do the buying and the travelling, if the new owner wishes.

‘‘They have helped set up manufacturing operations in many small villages and so the money is filtered back into these communities as more product is exported to New Zealand.’’

As well as two working owners, the business employs one fulltime staff member and one part-timer in the retail operation.

O’Connor says there are opportunities to increase sales.

‘‘The business maintains repeat clientele and new clients through word of mouth, owner contact and advertising in home-and-garden magazines.

‘‘The main growth opportunity would be some automation of stock and potential to upgrade the website so purchasing/ordering can be made online.

‘‘Some type of franchising is another possibility.

‘‘The vendors say several retailers around the country would be more than happy to look at this.’’

O’Connor says a key competitive advantage of Barron Imports is the near impossibility of someone else marketing the same product.

‘‘The very nature of the supply chain and how it came to be would make this unachievable.

‘‘All the years of travel and the contacts that have been built up have made Barron Imports a success.’’

The business has an asking price of $880,000 (including stock of $400,000).

❚ For more information, contact Gary Kaye on 021 222 1707 gary.kaye@linkbusiness.co.nz or Brendan O’Connor on 027 250 3834 brendan.oconnor@linkbusiness.co.nz