Scotsys to close Glasgow store as Apple outlet hits trade

Published on Monday 4 February 2008 21:38

SCOTSYS is to shut its Glasgow retail store as shoppers flock to Apple's own flagship shop in Scotland's biggest city.

The IT services provider, which operates outlets selling Apple computers, iPods and accessories, said it planned to reduce its involvement in retailing following the closure of the store, which has operated from Great Western Road for ten years.

A handful of staff are believed to be under threat of redundancy from the closure, due to take place on Saturday.

The firm said its other store – on Edinburgh's South Clerk Street – as well as its "retail zone" at its head office in Bellshill, would remain open.

Scotsys, which is part of Adventi Group, added that the closure would have a minimal impact on revenues.

Retail makes up around 20 per cent of Scotsys's turnover, while the Glasgow store alone accounts for less than half of that.

Graham Bucknall, director of strategy for the firm, said: "Since Apple opened its stand-alone store on Buchanan Street, footfall has been seriously impacted. There have been similar problems elsewhere where new Apple shops have been introduced. We have a very good shop in Edinburgh, which has good links with our small-business service and is not so reliant on consumer retail."

Bucknall said it was hoped many workers at the store would be relocated to other posts within Scotsys.