You’ve no doubt heard the news that the inimitable design retailer, Spence & Lyda, has recently been acquired by the Winning Group. It’s a new relationship which has been slowly developing over time, the alignment of the two brands coming about through their shared Danks Street community.

Initial conversations between the two entities revealed clear synergies – both companies are family run, both long-standing in the Australian design landscape, and both with an ethos that heroes people and planet.

“As with so many of Spence & Lyda’s partnerships, the relationship began as a meeting of minds and ethos, that then scaled to become a joining of the two business ‘families’ and ultimately Spence & Lyda’s joining the Winning Group in March of this year,” comments Katie Rockliff, head of marketing at Spence & Lyda.

For Spence & Lyda’s part, this new alignment opens up a world of new possibility for the brand which has long-been loved among the Sydney design community for its enviable stable of products, its artful presence, and intriguing character.

“Spence & Lyda evolved from founder Fiona Lyda’s previous career in costume and set design,” notes Rockliff. “We delight in storytelling and being that community where creators and curators come together.”

Now, with Winning Group, Spence & Lyda will bring its portfolio of lighting, furniture, soft furnishings and accessories to the Australian market, with a brand new showroom in Redfern – set to open later this year, and showroom in Melbourne to follow.

Establishing a physical presence for Spence & Lyda in Melbourne and the southern states is a long-standing dream that can now be realised, notes Rockliff. “And as part of the premium lifestyle offering within Winning Group, our design community and their clientele will only enjoy greater access and resources from us going forward.”

The design of the two new showrooms is a continuation of Spence & Lyda’s creative approach which reaches beyond trends to honour craft, authenticity, and consciously executed design. “Collaborating with Fiona Lynch Office and Cera Stribley for these two incredible new showrooms has been a showcase moment…” says Rockliff.

Offering Australians greater access to the Spence & Lyda brand has been of key appeal in the alignment with Winning Group. “[They] are true innovators as a business and customer champions at heart.”

The operational growth potential is impressive. But without like minds, there can be no success story and, as Rockliff points out, the marriage of Spence & Lyda and Winning Group comes down to a common mantra for “honouring time, talent and planet”.

“A brand that lives that code and delivers it via exceptional pieces and exceptional experiences for their community is itself, an exceptional and precious thing,” comments Rockliff. “It’s a value our customers keenly understand. And a 25-year legacy we hold dear.”

It may just be the winning formula.

Join Winning Appliances on Saturday 21 May in Sydney for Saturday Indesign. They will be hosting a 9.30am talk entitled, Shop till you Drop! The New Wave of Experimental Retail. Register here to attend for free.

Spence & Lyda
spenceandlyda.com.au

Winning Group
winninggroup.com.au

Photography
Prue Ruscoe; final image by Andres Ripamonti

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