Independently Operated Home and Hardware Business, Alness 

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Home & Hardware, Alness

Summary

Home & Hardware represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a long-established and highly regarded hardware retail business located in the centre of Alness.

Occupying a prominent High Street position, the business has become a trusted fixture within the local community and enjoys a strong reputation for quality products, knowledgeable service, and reliability. Over 14 years of trading, the business has built a loyal and repeat customer base, supported by a broad range of stock lines and additional revenue streams.

The business combines traditional hardware retail with gardening supplies, decorating products, paint mixing, key cutting, and carpet cleaner machine hire, creating a well-rounded operation with multiple sources of income.

This is a genuine retirement sale and presents an incoming purchaser with the opportunity to acquire a well-established business with excellent foundations and clear potential for future growth.

Business Overview

Home & Hardware is a successful independently operated hardware and home improvement business serving Alness and the surrounding Ross-shire area.

The business has traded successfully for approximately 14 years and was incorporated as a limited company in 2014. During that time, it has established itself as a dependable local destination for household, DIY, decorating, gardening, and seasonal products, together with several useful ancillary services.

The product range includes tools, ironmongery, household essentials, decorating supplies, gardening products, seasonal lines, and general hardware. In addition to retail sales, the business benefits from several complementary services including paint mixing, key cutting, and carpet cleaner machine hire, all of which support customer footfall and additional spend.

The business also services approximately 30 active trade accounts, providing repeat custom from local tradespeople and businesses. This is considered an area with clear scope for expansion under new ownership.

The company is a member of Home Hardware Scotland Ltd, a respected buying group providing strong purchasing terms, dependable deliveries, glossy marketing materials, and ongoing operational support.

The business is currently very owner-led in its day-to-day operation, which has helped underpin its strong customer relationships and service levels. This creates an excellent opportunity for an energetic hands-on purchaser to continue the business’s success and potentially develop it further.

Location

The business is situated on the High Street in Alness, occupying a central and highly visible trading position.

Alness is a well-supported Highland town with a stable residential population and strong road connectivity via the nearby A9, allowing access to Inverness and the wider region.

The business benefits from consistent local footfall, repeat custom, and a convenient trading location.

Financial Information

The business demonstrates a consistent and resilient trading history.

For the year ended 31 October 2025, turnover was £403,153 (net of VAT) . The business benefits from a healthy gross profit margin profile in line with an established independent hardware operation.

Stock is estimated by the owners at approximately £70,000, which will be additional at valuation.

Further financial information will be made available to genuinely interested parties following initial discussions.

Staffing & Operations

The business is operated by the two full-time directors, trading Monday to Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

Additional support is provided by their son, who is the only employee. Tuesday cover is rotated, with alternate Saturday mornings shared.

The current model is hands-on and owner-led, which has contributed to the strong customer relationships and efficient running of the business.

Opportunity

Home & Hardware offers several clear opportunities for growth.

There is immediate scope to expand the existing base of approximately 30 trade accounts and strengthen supply relationships with local contractors, builders, and tradespeople.

There is also potential to develop online sales. Through the facilities available via Home Hardware Scotland Ltd, an online shopping platform could be implemented with relative ease.

Further opportunities may exist through widening gardening and seasonal ranges, increasing service income, and targeted local marketing.

Reason for Sale

The business is being offered for sale due to the owners’ retirement.

Price

Offers are invited in the region of £130,000 for the goodwill of the business, plus stock at valuation.

Tenure

Leasehold, with flexible terms anticipated subject to landlord agreement.

Further Information

Further information will be made available to genuinely interested parties following initial discussions and subject to confidentiality.

Key Features

Premises Details

The business trades from a substantial retail unit extending to approximately 240.59 sq m (2,589.68 sq ft), providing a well-balanced mix of retail, storage, and operational areas

The accommodation includes a large and well-presented main retail area, front sales floor, additional side store, workshop/key cutting area, multiple rear storage rooms, office/kitchen, WC, and circulation hall space.

The layout is practical and efficient, allowing the business to stock a broad range of lines while maintaining good customer flow and functional back-of-house operations.

The premises are leasehold. The current owners advise they enjoy an excellent relationship with the landlord, who is understood to be open to offering either a longer lease or a more flexible arrangement depending on the purchaser’s requirements.

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