Oak Furnitureland Explained

Oak Furnitureland
Industry:Furniture, retail
Foundation:Chippenham, United Kingdom (2006)
Location:Swindon, United Kingdom
Key People:Alex Fisher (CEO)
Area Served:United Kingdom
Products:Cabinet and dining furniture, sofas, mattresses, lamps and clocks
Num Employees:just under 1200 (2020)[1]
Locations:78
Owner:Davidson Kempner Capital Management

Oak Furnitureland is a British furniture retailer specialising in fully assembled hardwood cabinet and dining furniture, and sofa ranges. The company has stores across the UK, with its headquarters in Swindon in Wiltshire, England.

History

Oak Furnitureland was launched through its website on Boxing Day, 2006.[2] The company started in 2003 by selling on eBay. Subsequently, it opened a pop-up shop on Cotswold Airport. Its first store on a retail park was in Chippenham, Wiltshire.[3] The company reported a turnover of £85m and a profit of £9.2m in the year to 30 September 2012.[4]

In late 2012, the business moved its national distribution centre to a 302,000 sq ft building in South Marston near Swindon, Wiltshire.[5]

In an interview with The Sunday Times on 10 January 2015, the firm's then managing director stated that the chain had sales of £194m.[6]

In June 2015, Oak Furnitureland became the principal sponsor and home kit sponsor for association football club Burnley.[7] [8]

In June 2020, Davidson Kempner Capital Management bought Oak Furnitureland out of administration.[9] [10]

Notes and References

  1. News: Swindon-based retailer Oak Furnitureland to take on new staff. Swindon Advertiser. January 29, 2013. 2019-11-15.
  2. Web site: Online retailer to mogul/. The Daily Telegraph. February 4, 2013. 2019-11-15.
  3. Web site: Online shops move into the High Street/. BBC. May 7, 2013. 2019-11-15.
  4. Web site: Oak Furnitureland reports record sales and profits. Retail Week. January 31, 2013. 2019-11-15.
  5. Web site: £22m property investment deal puts Oak Furnitureland centre under new ownership. Swindon Business News . March 25, 2014 . 2019-11-15 .
  6. News: How I Made It: Jason Bannister, founder of Oak Furnitureland. https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233322/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/business/article1505236.ece?CMP=OTH-gnws-standard-2015_01_10 . dead . March 3, 2016 . The Sunday Times. January 11, 2015 .
  7. Web site: Burnley's Sean Dyche looks to new season in Championship. ITV News. June 17, 2015 . 2019-11-15 .
  8. News: Oak Furnitureland is Clarets new shirt sponsor. Burnley Express. June 3, 2015. 2019-11-15.
  9. Web site: Oak Furnitureland's future secured in pre-pack administration deal. 16 June 2020. Retail Gazette.
  10. Web site: Arcadia Group may be bought by Next with Davidson Kempner. 18 December 2020.