Empire Direct
 | |
| private | |
| Industry | Retail and distribution |
| Founded | Bradford, England (1982) |
| Headquarters | Leeds |
Key people |
Jaswant Singh Toor, Managing Director, Amarjit Singh, Deputy MD, Madan Showan, Chairman, Manohar Showan, Director |
| Revenue | £87.2 million GBP (2006) |
Number of employees | 300 (approx. retail) |
| Website | http://www.empiredirect.co.uk (retail) |
Empire Direct PLC was an electrical retail business which operated in the United Kingdom.[1]
History
It was formed in 1982. It had its headquarters in the former Clock Buildings Cinema on Roundhay Road (A58) in Harehills (Harehill's Corner). It had 350 employees.
Administration
On 19 January 2009, 158 of the 350 employees were made redundant as the company was taken into administration with KPMG being appointed as administrators.[2]
In a statement issued by KPMG, joint administrator Mark Firmin said, "Empire Direct has been severely affected by the economic downturn and experienced a significant reduction in sales from the middle of last year. In addition, the business really suffered when credit insurers withdrew cover in October. Low stock levels and operating losses mean the business cannot continue to trade in administration."[3]
Empire Direct however offers a helpline service for those who are awaiting deliveries and refunds which is displayed on the front page of the company's website www.empiredirect.co.uk.
Richer Sounds Plc acquired the Empire Direct website.[4]
References
- ↑ Empire Direct appoints Smart Media to handle electrical sales list. brandrepublic.com. November 24, 2005.
- ↑ "Jobs go at electrical goods firm". BBC News. 2009-01-19. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- ↑ "Administrators appointed to Empire Direct plc". KPMG. 2009-01-19. Retrieved 2009-01-19.
- ↑ The Empire Direct website is acquired by Richer Sounds Plc. EmpireDirect.com. 15 January 2010.