Increase in sales at House of Bruar

Luxury Perthshire retailer House of Bruar said it will focus on improving its direct shopping routes during work to dual the A9, as it reported an increase in profit and sales in its latest financial year.

The retailer, known as the Harrods of the north, has seen in-store and online sales rise. Picture: Contributed

Group core profit in the year to 31 January reached £5.5 million, up from £5.4m the previous year, while turnover grew by 3 per cent to £24.4m and visitor numbers increased by 3.5 per cent.

The company said that during the year it opened a wines, spirits and beers department, as well as a 3,000 square foot hall selling leather goods, after building £300,000 treatment plant.

During the financial year, planning permission for four large distribution warehouses was obtained and one warehouse was completed, with extra capacity enabling growth in traditional catalogue mail order, the introduction of a gift catalogue and more investment in the internet. There was a 45 per cent year-on-year jump in online sales.

However, it added: “The company does not subscribe to the belief that retail is no longer an activity for customers to enjoy and that all business will be carried out online.”

It said the directors’ aim “is to create an unrivalled retail experience that customers enjoy and appreciate, whether that be in food, gifts or textiles. The company must continue to design ranges that are unique to The House of Bruar.”

The business, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary of trade during the financial year, also said that once the dualling of the A9 is completed, "hopefully more people will have access to Highland Perthshire".

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