Beales puts itself up for sale in tough retail climate

PERTH: Department store operates from landmark former McEwens building in city

The group that owns Perth department store Beales has put itself up for sale as the firm looks at refinancing options.

Beales occupies much of the building in St John Street that used to be home to Perth’s flagship department store McEwens, which fell into administration in 2016.

Beales opened its Perth outlet – its only branch in Scotland – in November 2017.

Yesterday the firm, which operates 22 stores in Britain, said it is looking at options to “deliver a sustainable business model for the future”. It has launched a formal sale process as part of a strategic and financial review being led by KPMG, though a sale remains one option under consideration.

Beales said it “continues to acclimatise to the ever-changing landscape and challenges of the retail market”.

The group is looking for investment to “deliver a sustainable business model for the future” including cost-saving measures and a refocus on homewares, small domestic appliances, fashion accessories and shoes.

The demise of McEwens in March 2016 – with the loss of more than 100 jobs – sent shockwaves through the Perth retail landscape, having been a stalwart of business life in the city for decades.

Beales, which was founded in 1881 by John Elmes Beale, employs around 1,300 staff and another 300 in concessions within its 22 stores.

It was sold in a management buy-out to group chief executive Anthony Brown in October last year.

While it is reportedly looking at a small number of store closures and moves to slash rents, the group said that it also wants to look at buying sites to expand a format that has seen early successes in its new Fareham branch.

Beales launched a strategy overhaul in early 2019 to revamp its ranges, which it said is showing “significant sales improvements”.

But the retail sector – and department store chains in particular – is being hit hard by tough trading conditions.

Debenhams saw its lenders seize control of the company in April following its collapse into administration.

Last year Beale Limited recorded a pre-tax loss of more than £3 million on sales of £48m for the year ending March 31 2019.

Picture: Kris Miller. Beales in St John Street, Perth.