The Original Factory Shop

The Original Factory Shop is a discount department store chain that was established in 1969 and also trades as TOFS. It currently operates over two hundred stores across the United Kingdom.

The Original Factory Shop
Private
IndustryRetail
GenreDepartment Store
Founded1969
FounderPeter Blacks
Headquarters
Burnley
,
England, UK
Area served
United Kingdom
Key people
Emma Fox, CEO (2017)
ProductsVarious
Revenue£193 million
OwnerDuke Street Capital
Number of employees
2,100 (2010)
Websitetheoriginalfactoryshop.co.uk

Operations

The Original Factory Shop was established in 1969 as part of Peter Black's retail network. Initially it sold soap manufactured by one of Black's factories. The chain now has 215 outlets and has plans to have 500 stores by 2020. Its newest shop opened in Watton, Norfolk, in November 2017

The chain sell fashion, homewares, toys and personal care products. The products can be from the chain's own lines, branded products or cut label products from a high street chain or supermarket. During 2010 to 2011, the chain expanded its warehouse and offices in Burnley by 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) to provide for the future needs of the business.[1]

In July 2020, Upon the hiring of a new chairman and a new managing director, the Original Factory Shop has confirmed improvements to the leadership team. Matt Williams, who has worked as a non-executive director on the board at The Initial Factory Shop for six years, will now take on the position of executive chairman.[2]

Online operations

In the middle of 2010, The Original Factory Shop opened its online store.[3][4][5]

Performance

Sales for the last six weeks of December 2010 were very strong, up 23%. This was caused by extreme weather conditions forcing people to shop locally. During this time, the company achieved their best day of sales on 24 December 2010, Christmas Eve.

Their other achievements in this period included selling a pair of wellington boots every nine seconds of trading time, and selling three times more advent calendars for dogs than human advent calendars. Also in this period, the chain opened eight new stores across the United Kingdom, meaning the chain opened 31 new stores in 2010. The company opened a total of 15 new stores in 2011, 11 in 2012 and 9 in 2013. A further 15 opened in 2014.

In August 2011, the chain did not perform as well with profits reduced, due to economic conditions and massive investment in the chain, including many store openings, expansion of headquarters and warehouse and upgrading store equipment.[6][7] The chief executive of The Original Factory Shop is former Lloyds Pharmacy boss Tony Page, who replaced Angela Spindler in June 2013. In May 2010, rumours surfaced that the parent company Duke Street Capital put the chain up for sale for £200 million.[8][9]

These rumours were later denied by The Original Factory Shop and Duke Street Capital.[10] On 26 June 2018, it was announced that The Original Factory Shop is to close 32 stores due to falling profits, and the withdrawal of its credit insurance. The Original Factory Shop has also reported that it will be unsurprisingly starting a company voluntary arrangement process.

See also

References
  1. "Huge expansion of The Original Factory Shop HQ in Burnley - Business News". Burnley Express. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  2. "The Original Factory Shop announces new chairman & MD". Retail Gazette. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  3. "Multichannel retailing taken to new heights: Online Shopping news from". Shopsafe. 25 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  4. "News & Star | News | Business | Cumbrian firm gives you chance to shop online - without using the internet". Newsandstar.co.uk. 1 August 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  5. "Retailer Offers Online Stock For UK Delivery In Store - myHermes Parcel Delivery News". News.myhermes.co.uk. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  6. George MacDonald (1 August 2011). "Profits fall at Original Factory Shop | News". Retail Week. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  7. George MacDonald (4 August 2011). "Tough trading is set to continue, says Spindler | News". Retail Week. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  8. "The Original Factory Shop put up for sale for £200m". Telegraph. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  9. "Duke Street looks to dispose of The Original Factory Shop". Business-sale.com. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  10. Berwin, Lisa (25 May 2010). "Original Factory Shop denies sale | News". Retail Week. Retrieved 29 April 2013.

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