Member Article

QLM celebrates 20 year anniversary

One of North Leeds’s best known retail businesses, which is often described as Aladdin’s cave, is celebrating its 20th anniversary and has just launched an e-commerce website as it expands into making home deliveries.

QLM House and Home currently stock in excess of 20,000 products from its 15,000 square foot retail unit on Northside Retail Park in Meanwood. Its vast product range includes all types of homeware and giftware including stationery, DIY accessories, bedding, toiletries and toys as well as a vast range of furniture and beds from a number of top UK manufacturers.

Last year QLM also became the first independent department retailer in the UK to be given Hallmark Cards Gold Crown Status, which saw the leading greeting card company launch its first store within in a store. QLM now sells more than 50,000 Hallmark cards every year and has the most comprehensive range of cards outside Leeds city centre.

More recently the company has launched a dedicated division supplying furniture and beds to residential property landlords, housing associations and student accommodation providers.

QLM was founded in 1997 by Maurice Esofsky who learned his trade on the market stalls nearly 40 years ago, progressing to become Managing Director of a renowned Yorkshire based discount chain, which operated 50 stores across the North of England before it was sold in 1996. Maurice is managing director of the company and deals with all areas of the business, heading up a team of loyal managers and staff, some of whom have over 18 years service.

QLM has become a local household name serving almost 1,000 customers a day, employing a team of 22 and has an annual turnover in excess of £2million. It’s also evolved into a family business with Maurice’s wife Debby Esofsky running HR and training along with purchasing giftware and home furnishings, his sister Riva Jackson heading up finance and accountancy and daughter Danielle Esofsky overseeing the online side of the business as well as dealing with its large customer base of property landlords.

Maurice proudly claims that customers rarely leave QLM empty handed. He explains: “Customers are always amazed at the size of our product range, and nearly everyone that comes through our doors makes a purchase, which is a big factor in our success. I’ve worked in the retail industry for more than 38 years and always knew there was a gap in the market for a one-stop-shop that could offer a vast selection of products, from well-known leading brands, at affordable prices, along with offering excellent customer service and the personal touch that comes with a family business.

“We’re very unique in the area and there’s nobody else nearby offering such a vast product range that’s always affordable, comes with a money back guarantee and offers such superb customer service. It’s a formula that our customers love and we have a really loyal following with people often travelling from across the region to visit us.”

Maurice adds: “Although we could have rolled QLM out into other towns and cities, as it’s now become a family business, the fact that we just have one very big store, is our unique selling point. It means we can offer customers a high quality and very individual service, as well as getting to know many of them on a personal level, which definitely sets us apart from many retailers.”

“Launching an e-commerce business, has been a natural next step and it’s already proving to be hugely successful. We handle all the local deliveries ourselves, using our own vehicles, and we’re not simply a faceless website like so many other online businesses. Instead customers can visit and speak to us, and from the initial feedback we’ve received the vast majority appreciate this personal touch, we’re looking forward to exciting times ahead.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Steven Wright .