As the mid-market furniture retailer Dwell is rescued out of administration by its founder, Retail Week takes a look at the business.
Aamir Ahmad originally set up Dwell as a mail-order furniture business in 2003.
The company, which sells modern furniture and home accessories from table lights and cushions to wallpaper and deck chairs, now operates 24 stores. Its head office is based in Milton Keynes.
The chain has experienced two high-profile departures in the past year, with both Ahmad and chairman Neil McCausland stepping down last year. Rebecca Cotterell, the former boss of Adams Childrenswear, now heads up the business.
In a bid to boost its digital credentials, the retailer appointed Peter McKenna last August as its first director of multichannel. He joined from home shopping channel Bid TV, where he was director of ecommerce.
At the time of the new hire, Ahmad said Dwell was expanding its product range online from 2,000 SKUs to 4,000 and installing kiosks in stores so customers could shop the entire range.
Private equity firm Key Capital Partners pumped £5m into Dwell in 2010 as the retailer laid down plans to grow to 52 stores by 2014.
Pre-tax losses widened to £675,320 from £456,349 for the year to January 27 2012, according to its latest accounts. Group sales increased 3% to £34.5m during the same period.
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