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:
- Longestablished and highly regarded independent hardware business
- Prominent High Street trading position in the centre of Alness
- Consistent annual turnover in excess of £400,000 (net of VAT)
- Broad product range including hardware, DIY, decorating and gardening lines
- Additional income streams from paint mixing, key cutting and carpet cleaner hire
- Approximately 30 active trade accounts with scope for further growth
- Member of Home Hardware Scotland Ltd with strong purchasing terms and supplier support
- Substantial leasehold premises extending to circa 2,589 sq ft with additional external storage
- Fixtures and fittings included, together with EPOS till system, two key cutting machines and two external storage containers
- Owner retirement sale with genuine reason for disposal
