Robert Dyas
 | |
| Type | Private Limited Company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | London, England (1872) |
| Founder(s) | Robert Dyas |
| Headquarters | Cleeve Court, Cleeve Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, England |
| Number of locations | around 96[1] |
| Area served | England (mainly southeast) |
| Key people | Phil Green (Chief Operating Officer) |
| Products | Homeware, DIY, Electrical, Gardening, Ironmongers |
| Revenue |
 £126 million (2011) |
| Owner(s) | Theo Paphitis |
| Employees | 1200 (July 2011) |
| Website | http://www.robertdyas.co.uk/ |
Robert Dyas is a UK retailer founded in London in 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.
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]
In 2010–2011, Robert Dyas introduced a revamped style for their stores, and also increased its online offering and the use of in-store web kiosks.
In July 2012, Theo Paphitis bought the company.[1]
Stores and products
Robert Dyas currently operates around 96 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 and Kenilworth 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.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Theo Paphitis buys Robert Dyas
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 BBC News: Management to buy out Robert Dyas
- ↑ Robert Dyas debt-for-equity swap gives lenders Allied Irish and Lloyds Banking Group majority stake - Telegraph
- ↑ Robert Dyas