Soaring sales to drive Ortak expansion
JEWELLERY designer and retailer Ortak is poised to boost its 12strong store portfolio after banking a doubledigit rise in sales.
The firm, whose new spring and summer collections were modelled by Miss UK, Nieve Jennings, at last week’s industry trade show in Birmingham, said that sales last year had risen 10.6 per cent to a record £6.9 million.
Despite tough festive trading conditions, Ortak’s sales were up 14.1 per cent in December.
The company – one of the largest employers in Orkney – said its board was finalising expansion plans for the new financial year.
After opening an outlet in Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal last November, it currently operates ten stores in Scotland and two in the north of England. Ortak was founded by Malcolm Gray in 1967 and is now run by his sons Alistair and Stuart.
Its manufacturing base in Kirkwall dispatches gold and silver jewellery worldwide.
Alistair Gray, managing director, said: "It’s been a very positive year for us despite an extremely difficult trading environment.
"The mood throughout the company is extremely buoyant and we are predicting a very optimistic outlook for the year ahead."
Original source : Business.Scotsman.com
