Community
3 October, 2024
Scotts hits the market
SCOTTS Betta Home Living has been listed on the market as local businessman Robbie Jewell looks to retirement.
Scotts Betta Home Living has been trading in Mortlake for more than 60 years, cultivating a stable following across the south west under Mr Jewell.
He assured the community the plan was for the business and its employees to continue on as part of the sale.
“We’re just selling the business, we’re not shutting the business,” Mr Jewell said.
“A lot of people have been worried the store will close but that’s not the case.
“But I’m 68 this month, and Kerrie (Jewell’s wife) is planning to retire at the end of the year.
“It’s time for a change, I suppose, and take things a bit easier.”
Mr Jewell has been a member of the Mortlake community since 1957, and has been with the business for around three decades before buying it in 2012.
“I’ve been part of the business for around 30 years,” he said.
“I was a manager back in the day when it was trading under Retravision.
“It’s great work, and I enjoy what we do.
“You meet a lot of great people and it’s an interesting industry – it’s a hard industry, but it’s interesting because something always comes up.”
The nature of the business has undergone sweeping changes over the years, as products evolve with each technological advancement and the definition of an essential household appliance changes too.
What has always remained is Mr Jewell’s belief customers service doesn’t need to be complicated – it’s all about building trust.
“I’ve sold a lot of stuff in Mortlake and district, as we’re trying to cover a large area,” he said.
“Service is huge from our perspective - we offer our service to deliver and install most things, and anything wrong we try our best to fix it.
“A lot of the changes over the years has been for the better – there’s so many fantastic products to buy.
“We try to keep what we can, to make sure we’ve got what’s basic or a step up across the range of appliances – and we can always order more if it’s what people are after.”
Mr Jewell said he had enjoyed the friendships he had had made over the years, particularly throughout the wider region as the business harnessed a larger catchment area from Port Fairy through to Ararat as online orders expand potential clientele.
The dedication has payed off with the real estate listing through Falk and Co noting a steady turnover in excess of $800,000, full licensing, potential for growth and the large range of popular brands making the business and attractive option for potential buyers.
Over the years the success has translated directly to community support, with Scotts Betta Home Living an ongoing supporter of Mortlake’s sporting clubs, schools, churches and kindergartens through sponsorship, gift vouchers and donations.