By James Wells

ARMIDALE: Thom’s Retravision, which was started by the former chairman of the retail group – Bob Thom – and now owned by his son Tony, has merged its two stores in Armidale.

The family business previously operated from two premises in Armidale – 116 Dangar Street which traded as Thom’s Retravision and another property at 152 Rusden Street which traded as Spark & Co Retravision.

Spark & Co Retravision, which commenced trading in Armidale prior to Thom’s Retravision almost 40 years ago, was purchased by Tony Thom four years ago.

“This is part of a long term five year and 10-year plan,” Tony Thom told Current.com.au.

“It’s a natural progression to go back to one store. This has been a positive move and all of our staff have stayed on. We think we can bigger and better in the one location.”

Tony Thom said that the two business were geographically very close and consolidation of stock has occurred following a closing down sale.

“You can stand on our back dock and hit a nine iron across to the other store,” Thom said.

The Thom family has leased the Dangar Street premises to the owner of the Sportspower store located next door that is looking to expand its business.

The family continues to operate the Retravision store at Glen Innes, near Armidale, which Bob Thom opened 48 years ago and then joined the Retravision group 8 years later.

Tony Thom said his father is continuing to work in the business and describes him as his “business consultant”.

In Armidale, the Thom family competes with an existing Harvey Norman store which is currently completing a renovation to their store. There is also a Good Guys store and another Harvey Norman store located nearby at the larger regional centre of Tamworth.

“We are trading fairly well at the moment. It is a little bit artificial as we have had our closing down sale, but talking to people up here, there have been mixed results. Armidale is definitely booming at the moment with lots of commercial activity.”
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ccording to a statement from Retravision New South Wales company secretary, John O’Malley, as soon as the appropriate documents have been completed, the name of the Armidale store will be changed, as will the email address, however, until that time the name will remain as Spark & Co. Retravision.

Tony Thom would not confirm that the store will be renamed Retravision Armidale.