It is with great pleasure that we announce the re-opening of our flagship carpet & flooring department within our Broughty Ferry store.
Previously re-located during the construction of a major extension to the store in 1998, the department, known to be one of Scotland’s busiest independently operated flooring showrooms, had previously kept its traditional style since opening.
But, as trends change, and shopping habits evolve, we identified the need to upgrade the presentation and offer of the carpet and flooring department.
A 3-week project saw the department undergo a complete renovation, including of course the replacement of all existing flooring, with earth-toned wood-effect hard flooring and on-trend taupe wool carpeting, finished with brushed brass trims. Existing wall displays were also given a new lease of life with a soft grey finish, and all display stands were replaced with new, custom-made, more customer friendly replacements, including additional sampling to allow customers to conveniently try options in their own homes.
Other works include a complete redecoration, the introduction of a dedicated patterned-carpet area, and upgraded lighting and signage. Studio concepts from Alternative flooring, Amtico, Karndean, and Woodpecker take pride of place, showcasing some of the best in designer flooring from British businesses.
The result is a fresh, inviting showroom, complimenting functionality, choice and colour. The area is coordinated in style, and relevant with texture, colours and hues. There is an overwhelming feeling of calm, as well as a re-assuring selection of choice. A lot of time and thought have gone in to the range planning, with a balanced level of colour, as well as natural tones, greys, and everything in-between!
But there is one thing that hasn’t changed. The Gillies All-Inclusive package. Dating back over 25 years, Gillies pioneered the convenience of including a one-price policy for the carpet, underlay, standard fitting, gripper-rods, door trims, delivery and V.A.T, creating better value for customers and an easier ability to budget. Through popularity from customers, this remains the case to this day and features pride of place on most fitments.
Did you know? - Gillies has carried out flooring installations as far back as 1895, and became a prominent retailer in the furnishing industry when the first major showroom was opened on Brook Street, Broughty Ferry in 1939.
We take great pride in retailing quality products, backed up with a high level of personal service, and continue to provide a wide range of carpet and flooring services, including tufted and Axminster carpets, designer hard flooring from brands such as Amtico and Karndean, as well as laminate flooring, solid wood flooring, and rugs from all around the world. At any one time there is a stock holding of around 500 rolls of carpets of all types, colours and price-points to enable customers’ expectations and timescales to be met.
And it doesn’t stop there, carpet and hard floor fitting is a specialist skill, and at Gillies, it is one where almost all fitting teams are employed, with very little reliance on sub-contractors.
As a dedicated member of the Carpet Foundation, Gillies regularly support the trade with employing and training new recruits to keep the industry buoyant with new talent, and to allow learning from those that have been fitting for many years and built-up incredible knowledge. In fact, one such employee, Rab, started straight out of school as an apprentice, quickly learnt the trade, and continues to be a Gillies carpet fitter to this day, now with over 40 years’ experience.
We are extremely passionate about flooring, in fact, each day there are 9 carpet fitting teams, and 5 hard flooring teams travelling all-over East and North Scotland, completing around 50-75 installations a day! We even have a dedicated distribution hub and automatic carpet cutting machine, all powered with Solar panels!
So, if you’re in the market for a new carpet, or hard flooring, a visit to Gillies to see our new department is definitely a must do this Spring/Summer.
