Courts works to rejuvenate UK business

Courts, the international furniture and electricals group, is slashing supplier numbers as it reinvigorates UK operations.

The retailer, which has 100 furniture shops in Britain, is rolling out a new store look.

There are around 150 suppliers to Courts in the UK, each receiving business worth an average£250,000, but chief executive Bruce Cohen said the aim is to bring the number down to nearer 50. The change will bring improvements to quality, delivery and service, he said.

Courts has drafted in former Kingdom of Leather managing director Mireille Baumgart as buyer for soft upholstery, while Gary Tubb joins from The Link as marketing director.

Leo McKee, former managing director of Woolworths, becomes a non-executive director with immediate effect.

Last week, Courts posted an interim loss before tax of£4.1 million.

However, profit before deferred revenue movement - a key reflection of performance because of Courts' complex accounting structure - was£7.5 million ahead of last year.

In the UK, the operating loss was slightly down to£6.3 million on sales of£113.6 million.