Home furnishings retailer Gillies of Broughty Ferry has reported improved full-year sales despite challenging trading conditions.
The family-owned business – one of the best known independent retailers in north east Scotland – said sales had increased by 5.9% in the 12 months to August 31, when compared to the previous year.
Net profits were also slightly higher for the period at £1.766 million and the company said it maintained a strong financial base with which to support its trading activites, with net assets of £17.5m.
The company – which can trace its roots back to 1895 when cabinetmaker and upholsterer James Gillies set out on his business journey – has a flooring store in Montrose and three wider retail outlets offering a range home furnishings in Perth, Aberdeen and Broughty Ferry.
In a statement issued ahead of the publication of its full accounts, Gillies said the year had seen the company make significant investment in new premises to expand its warehousing capacity.
The move was designed to improve choice and convenience and increase the number of products that could be delivered directly to customers from held stock.
The company said it had also continued to invest in its stores during the year and had increased its staffing levels to more than 150, over 100 of which are based at the company’s flagship operation in Broughty Ferry.
Managing director Ian Philp said trading conditions since the year end had been challenging, with the impact of the downturn in the oil industry having been felt.
However, he said Gillies was committed to continuing to invest in its shops and improving service levels in order to provide a quality shopping experience for customers.
The company’s most recent innovation was to relaunch its website to give customers the chance to shop online for the first time.
