Robert French

ROBERT FRENCH, Wholesale Hardware Merchant, Importer of French and German Goods, 118, Trongate, Glasgow.

    The importation of French and German goods, which has done so much to accelerate the already brisk and competitive character of home industry and trade, is nowhere more creditably represented than in Glasgow ; and the success with which it has been combined with a large wholesale business in hardwares may be illustrated by a brief notice of the undertaking of Mr. Robert French, which has attained a prosperous standing consistent with the manner in which its operations have been developed during the past half century.

    Under the control of its esteemed founder, Mr. Robert French, the house gained rapidly upon the public support, and from first to last it has been favoured by a career of almost exceptional and uninterrupted success. For some time after Mr. French’s death it was carried on by his trustees ; but somewhat more than a year ago the present proprietor’s three sons, Messrs. Robert, John, and James French, acquired the business in their own right, and are now conducting it on the same lines and under the same admirable principles that have characterised its long and flourishing existence.

    The importance and magnitude of the firm’s trade is duly emphasized in the extent and capacities of the four-storey structure in the Trongate which has so long formed the centre of the business. The visitor to this large establishment cannot fail to be impressed with the almost limitless variety of goods with which each floor and each section and department thereon is repletely and exhaustively stocked. The flats are very extensive, lofty, and airy, stretching from front to rear of the building, and presenting — under conditions of great brilliancy and effectiveness — assortments of goods that are largely enhanced by the manner in which they are submitted to inspection. There are handsome counters and shelving all round each flat, and the show cases in the centre of the rooms are made available for the display of several recherché novelties and specialties, embracing items that are representative of the most exquisite Continental art.

    It would be impossible within the space at our disposal to enter upon an exhaustive survey of the many departments of the hardware trade that are here exemplified. Positively no detail is omitted to render this establishment a most complete and perfect depot for everything applicable to those branches of commerce in which it is an important and widely accepted leader, and there exists every proper justification for saying that, in respect of amplitude of resource, Messrs. French are not rivalled, and possess trading facilities of no common' order, enabling them to keep abreast of the times in all matters of enterprise and advancement. Messrs.

    French considers that their success is largely due to the fact that they pay cash for all goods on delivery. They deal only in sound and reliable merchandise tending to yield satisfaction to their constituents, and of such saleable qualities as to ensure moderate and quick returns of profit to retailers. By importing only the best productions of the French and German factories the firm endeavour to sustain the reputation of Continental hardwares which cheap and unsatisfactory goods have hitherto tended to impugn ; and the name of the house is everywhere identified with the disposal of watches, clocks, and hardwares of a high standard, at prices consistent with the favourable means of importation at their command. The long-established prestige of the firm may be expected to form the best and only necessary endorsement of the excellence of everything they supply.

    Their vast miscellany of goods finds wide outlet among connections in Scotland, Ireland, England, and part of Wales, throughout which they are represented by a staff of nine travellers, and the whole three partners vigorously co-operate in preserving the many valuable interests of the house as a great Metropolitan centre well founded in public confidence and estimation, as well as in the honourable and liberal character of its proprietary.

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