Summary
Established 14-year French antiques business with 90% online sales, strong digital presence, proven French sourcing network and flexible operation. Genuine retirement sale with growth potential.
Location Details
2/36 Wells Road, Cnr McCulloch Ave
Established warehouse/showroom in Seaford, Melbourne, with much of the online and administrative work undertaken from home. Approx. 90% of sales are generated online. Business may be relocated.
Potential
Considerable potential exists for an incoming owner to grow Bailey & Co by increasing stock levels, importing more regularly from the established French supplier, expanding online listings and marketing, and supplementing stock through Australian auctions, wholesalers and private buying. The business has been deliberately scaled back as the owners approach retirement. With approximately 90% of sales generated online, there is also potential to operate from the existing Seaford premises or relocate elsewhere in Australia.
Skills
No specialist antiques or importing experience is essential. An interest in antiques, interiors and online retail, together with basic computer and customer service skills, would be beneficial. The established systems are straightforward to learn, and the owners will provide complimentary handover and training for an agreed period, including sourcing, importing, website listings, photography, customer enquiries and freight arrangements.
Hours
Approx. 26 combined owner hours/week: 10 hours at warehouse/showroom plus 16 flexible hours working from home.
Lease
Existing Seaford warehouse/showroom lease may be assigned to purchaser, subject to landlord approval.
Employees
No employees. Business is currently operated by the two owners.
Reason for Sale
Genuine retirement sale after 14 years. The owners are now ready to retire and have deliberately reduced stock levels and importing activity in preparation for the sale. Bailey & Co remains an established operating business, and the owners would very much like to see the brand, customer following and French antiques business continue successfully under new ownership.
About the Business
Established in 2012, Bailey & Co French Antiques is a well-established and recognised name in French antiques in Melbourne and Victoria, with a strong online presence, loyal customer following and proven sourcing network.
Approximately 90% of sales are generated through the Bailey & Co website and its Google and Facebook presence, with only around 10% through the showroom. This is not a conventional antique shop dependent on passing traffic or six or seven days of retail opening.
The Seaford premises operate primarily as a warehouse/showroom for storing, photographing, measuring and listing antiques, customer inspections, and receiving and dispatching furniture. As most sales are online, the business could potentially be relocated elsewhere in Victoria or interstate.
A major advantage is Bailey & Co's established sourcing arrangement in France. Photographs of available antiques are supplied by the French supplier, allowing stock to be selected remotely from Australia and consolidated for shipment. A new owner could continue this system or travel to France and develop further sourcing opportunities.
Stock has also been successfully sourced through Australian auctions, wholesalers and private purchases, and Bailey & Co regularly receives enquiries from people wishing to sell antiques locally.
The purchaser is acquiring considerably more than a website: an established brand and e-commerce business, almost 10,000 Facebook followers, mailing list of approximately 2,500, established customer base, French supplier and sourcing arrangements, importing knowledge, a customs agent used for approximately 12 years, proven photography and online listing systems, and trusted local and interstate furniture carriers.
Bailey & Co has been deliberately scaled back as the owners approach retirement, with reduced stock and importing activity. No container has been imported this year by choice, allowing the new owner to select the next shipment to suit their own taste, market and price points.
Asking price: $125,000 + SAV. Stock is being progressively reduced through normal trading, so SAV will reflect inventory remaining at settlement.
Complimentary handover and training will be provided for an agreed period.
A rare opportunity to acquire an established French antiques and online retail business with 14 years of brand recognition, systems, audience and sourcing relationships already in place.
History
Bailey & Co French Antiques was established in Melbourne in July 2012 and has grown into a recognised name in French antiques. Over 14 years the owners have developed established French sourcing relationships, importing systems, a strong e-commerce website and loyal customer following. The business evolved into a predominantly online operation, with approximately 90% of sales now generated online. The business is offered for sale solely due to the owners' retirement.
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