Robert Dyas
| Type | Private Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | London, England (1892) |
| Founder(s) | Robert Dyas |
| Headquarters | Cleeve Court, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, England |
| Number of locations | 98 [1] |
| Area served | England (mainly southeast) |
| Key people | Steven McVey (Chief Executive) as at July 2011 |
| Products | Homeware, DIY, Electrical, Gardening, Ironmongers |
| Revenue |  £122 Million (YE 2010) |
| Owner(s) | Lloyds Banking Group, Robert Dyas |
| Employees | 1200 (July 2011) |
| Website | http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/ |
Robert Dyas is a large UK retailer founded London 1872. The stores provide ranges of house wares, small electrical appliances, gardening products, kitchen wares, DIY, and consumer electronics throughout 98 stores, mainly in Greater London and South East England.
Contents |
[edit] History
Robert Dyas emigrated from County Meath, Ireland setting up his own business in the city of London 1872. He opened his first shop with an inheritance of just £5 and by the time of his death at the age of 66 he had established 18 stores. His sons took over after that, followed by his two grandsons who died in 1961 and 2002. Robert Dyas survived several catastrophes including the Great Depression and the Blitz in which the head office, warehouse and 18 stores were destroyed.
In 1997, Robert Dyas's head office and warehouse burnt down in Croydon; the head office is now in Leatherhead, Surrey.
In March 2004 Robert Dyas was bought by Change Capital Partners, a private equity firm headed by former Marks & Spencer chairman Luc Vandevelde.
By spring 2009, the company had come close to collapse with rumoured debts of £30 million,[2] but was saved by a management buyout backed by Lloyds Banking Group on 8 April.[2] By September that year, the firm had taken steps to secure its viability through a debt-for-equity deal that gave its lenders a majority stake in the chain.[3] Robert Dyas's chief executive was Steven Round.[4] He exited the company in February 2011[5]
2010–2011 Robert Dyas started to roll out a revamped style for their stores, and is also increasing its online offering and the use of in-store web kiosks. July 2011 Steve McVey joined the company.
[edit] Stores and products
Robert Dyas currently operates from 98 standalone shops. Stores vary in size from a large 9,000 sq ft (840 m2) right down to 1,250 sq ft (116 m2). These are mainly found in London and the south east of England, but also exist as far away as Bristol in the West and Solihull in the West Midlands.
The product range is primarily focused on housewares and light DIY. Core departments include kitchenware, kitchen appliances, cleaning and laundry products, garden care, outdoor leisure and DIY tools and materials. Some home office and technology lines are also stocked, consisting of items such as telephones, printers, and accessories for computers and audio-visual items.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/findastore.php
- ^ a b http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7984299.stm
- ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/6174815/Robert-Dyas-debt-for-equity-swap-gives-lenders-Allied-Irish-and-Lloyds-Banking-Group-majority-stake.html
- ^ http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/steven-round/12/506/420
- ^ http://www.diyweek.net/news/news.asp?id=14297&title=Steven+Round+in+shock+exit+from+Robert+Dyas
- ^ http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/
