The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
New Highland venture for Gillies
High-end furniture retailer Gillies has expanded its empire after acquiring a long-standing Highlands business.
The Broughty Ferry headquartered group has snapped up Ogilvies of Inverness and Westend Furniture of Dingwall for an undisclosed firm.
Ogilvies has a similar profile to family run Gillies, having been established as an independent house furnishers in 1954.
Gillies – which also has stores in Perth, Montrose and Aberdeen – said it will refurbish the Inverness store next year and introduce fresh new product lines for sale.
A comprehensive stock system will also be rolled out as part of a business modernisation programme to help link the Highland stores to the rest of the business.
Ian Philp, managing director of Gillies, said the acquisition allowed the group to grow its retail footprint.
“We’re delighted to have completed the purchase of Ogilvies of Inverness and I would like to thank the MacAlistair family and staff of Ogilvies for their support during the process,” Mr Philp said.
“The company’s network and reach in the Highlands was very attractive to us, and we look forward to introducing our exciting range of home furnishings to a new market in the north of Scotland,” he said.
“Business will continue as usual at the Ogilvies store and we are delighted to welcome their staff and customers as we continue to provide excellent service, innovation and value for money,” he added.
Michael MacAlistair of Ogilvies said it was the end of an era, but Gillies was the right choice to take the business on.
“We would like to thank our loyal and valued customers, as well as staff, for their support over the last 62 years,” said Mr MacAlistair.
“I’m pleased to have been able to hand the store over to a responsible company that will continue to grow on the current business, and wish them every success in the future.”
Gillies, which employs 165 people across all sites, remains an independent business with a fifth generation of family members involved in its day-to-day running.