Following the successful opening of Sofa Club’s debut Liverpool store, we caught up with Louis Rose, Co-Founder and MD, and Tom O’Neill, Co-Founder, to find out more about the retailer’s expansion.
Sofa Club’s new store is situated on Speke Hall Road in Liverpool and officially opened on Saturday 20 July, featuring an exclusive 10% off all purchases for the first weekend. Here’s what Louis and Tom had to say now the dust has settled on the launch.
How was the launch?
Tom: It was a really positive weekend. We had a launch event with a DJ and drinks, and the turnout was incredible, highlighting the amazing community we’ve built over the last few years. We smashed our expected sales in the first week by 150%, which is a fantastic achievement.
What has the initial feedback been since opening?
Tom: The feedback has been amazing. The local community has welcomed us with open arms. The showroom is huge, and our minimalist theme inside takes people by surprise—it’s something that’s never been done before.
Why was Liverpool the right location for this store?
Louis: Tom lives in Liverpool with his family, and we already have an amazing customer base in the North West from our location in the Manchester Trafford Centre. We have been looking for stores in Liverpool for the last 12 months, and this opportunity came up. We invested around £250,000 into the launch and created approximately 10 new jobs.
What other recent investments has the company made?
Louis: We’ve made significant investments in several key areas. We’ve expanded our product range to ensure we have the right offerings for the peak season. Additionally, we’ve increased our inventory levels and are working closely with our delivery partners to handle increased demand efficiently. We’ve also grown our team, bringing in a few more experienced heads. These investments are all aimed at supporting our goal of achieving record-breaking sales in the coming months.
Are there plans for any other new stores?
Tom: We would love to be within an hour’s reach of anyone in the UK, which means we probably need to open another three or four stores. Our unique warehouse-style showrooms and shopping centre lounges provide a distinct look and feel compared to traditional sofa brands typically found in retail parks.
Future plans in the pipeline?
Tom: We recently partnered with a Polish factory that has come onboard as shareholders. This partnership has been really successful and helped us keep up with demand over the last six months. There are lots more exciting products in development that we can’t wait to share.
On sustainability, what is your company doing in this area?
Louis: We have recently launched our Recycle scheme with our 3PL partners AIT Worldwide Logistics. This has been a huge success and allows customers to choose to recycle their old sofa when they purchase a new one. We have saved over 1,000 sofas from going to landfill in the last six months.
How has business been so far this year?
Louis: This year has been amazing. We’re on course for £40m—our best year ever. Our strategic focus on maintaining consistent stock levels, enhancing our delivery service, and offering a more diverse product range has really paid off.
Tom: The response from customers has been amazing, and it’s one thing selling online, but when you see these people face-to-face in-store, it really brings it to life.
Are you noticing any product or consumer trends?
Tom: Definitely. We’ve seen a growing demand for modular sofas, as more customers look for flexibility in their living spaces. Additionally, curved sofas are becoming increasingly popular.
Louis: We’ve also noticed that people are willing to travel to see the product. We have visitors coming from all over to see our sofas in person.
Final thought…
Louis: We’re incredibly grateful for the support of our customers and the hard work of our team. Our mission is to bring a stress-free experience to sofa shopping, inspiring everyone to create a beautiful home. Every day, our team works harder and harder to achieve this mission.
Tom: I echo Louis’s sentiments. We’re looking forward to expanding our presence and bringing our unique shopping experience to even more people across the UK. Thank you to everyone who has been part of our journey.
