The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Gillies in takeover of rival family-run furniture business
Tayside home furnishings retailer Gillies has acquired a rival family-run firm.
Gillies, which has stores in Broughty Ferry, Aberdeen, Perth and Inverness, plus a clearance store in Montrose, has taken over Elgin-based Grampian Furnishers.
It said trading will continue as normal, with all employees remaining with the company as Gillies takes over the running of the business.
The Tayside firm has a distribution hub in Dundee. Grampian Furnishers will now be able to access this, offering quicker deliveries.
Founded in 1975 by the Clark family, Grampian Furnishers is based at a purpose-built 30,000sq ft store. The firm sells sofas, dining and occasional furniture, beds, bedroom furniture, carpets and flooring, as well as home accessories.
It is also home to Speyside Stoves and Grampian Coffee House cafe, which are operated under concession agreements in the Elgin showroom.
Grampian Furnishers managing director Royce Clark said it has been the “most difficult decision of my life” to sell the business.
He added: “Our longestablished family business being taken over by the Philp family and the Gillies brand is a perfect fit.
“In my opinion, the acquisition now creates the best complete furnishings offering across Scotland.
“It gives the Grampian Furnishers team enhanced job security and offers our customers a wider range of products.”
Gillies managing director Ian Philp thanked Mr Clark and his family for their support.
He said: “We’re delighted to have completed the purchase of Grampian Furnishers in Elgin.
“The state-of-the art showroom, highly regarded reputation and location of Grampian Furnishers was very appealing to the board of Gillies.
“It will allow us to expand the reach of our exciting range throughout Moray and beyond.
“Business will continue as usual at Grampian Furnishers.
“We are delighted to welcome their staff and customers.”
The acquisition of Grampian Furnishers caps off a good week for Gillies.
The firm’s recent financial results saw the business return to prepandemic levels, with sales up by almost £4 million.
In 2020, profits fell by 60% and the workforce was reduced as Covid-19 hit.
But newly filed accounts show turnover rose to £18.1m for the year to August 2021, up from £14.3m the year before.
Gillies also celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2020, with a celebration dinner postponed until last month due to the pandemic.