In pictures: Multiyork shifts to more up to date look

The 57-store Norfolk-based retailer has refurbished its Manchester and Tottenham Court Road stores, introducing a New Look and a more contemporary range of fabrics. At the same time, it has switched to a standard pricing model, with products at the same price all year round except for in clearly defined Sale periods

Executive chairman and chief executive Indira Thambiah, who arrived at the company a year ago, said that while some new pieces had been introduced to the range, the main change is the more modern fabrics being showcased, reflecting the changing tastes of its existing customers and attempting to attract new ones.

“There were 55 year olds telling us we were too fuddy-duddy,” she said. A new fabric bar has been introduced into the Tottenham Court Road store giving customers a choice of 10,000 fabrics, while leather sofas are being displayed for the first time and more non-sofa pieces such as dining furniture have been introduced. She said the company’s vertically integrated model, with all its sofas being made at its Thetford factory, enabled it to offer the breadth of range.

At the same time, the company has moved away from the common furniture retail practice of long Sale periods after a short spell of price establishment to trading at full price with shorter Sales.

“We’ve moved to a price that is sensible and affordable all year round, and while we will have a Sale, it will be a genuine Sale,” said Thambiah. “Most people are pretty savvy and we’ve had no pushback from customers. I think we’re running a more honest business.”

Thambiah said that while the furniture market is tough, Multiyork had enjoyed a good year so far.