Who are we?
As an employee-controlled trust, we’re a diverse, customer-orientated team, united by a passion for music and movies. Our stores contain a remarkable number of budding musicians, DJs, and film buffs, fanatical about great sound and vision. We recruit based on natural friendliness, rather than high-pressure sales skills.
All our teams are audio-visual enthusiasts and experts (seriously – they train themselves on new products continuously). They’re here to find a perfect match to your needs and budget, big or small, and to think of the things you may have missed, enhancing your overall home entertainment experience.
We get involved in things we believe in!
We’re proud of our unique culture and way of working. In our over-40 year history we’ve achieved a lot.
We founded Acts 435, a charity giving 100% of donations to those in need.
www.acts435.org.uk
To help victims of anti-social behaviour we established and fund ASB Help.
www.asbhelp.co.uk
We work with Carbon Footprint Limited to achieve a Carbon Neutral organisation.
www.carbonfootprint.com
We’re proud to hold the Fair Tax Mark for transparency over tax disclosures and the amount of tax paid.
www.fairtaxmark.net
We established and fund the Fairness Foundation to change the debate around fairness in order to build a fairer society.
www.fairnessfoundation.com
The Good Business Charter encourages responsible business behaviour and signposts consumers to these businesses.
www.goodbusinesscharter.com
For over 25 years, our first store at London Bridge has been accredited with the highest sales per sq ft of any retailer in the world.
www.guinnessworldrecords.com
We are one of only a few retailers to be an accredited Living Wage employer.
www.livingwage.org.uk
We pay every one of our suppliers on time and in an average of only 23 days – over twice as fast as the national norm.
www.smallbusinesscommissioner.gov.uk
Being proudly employee owned means our colleagues own 60% of the company and have a real stake in its success.
www.employeeownership.co.uk
“Richer Sounds donates a higher percentage of profit than any other privately-owned company.”
– The Guardian
Our not-for-profit organisation designed to help and support musicians and artists by promoting the UK’s best undiscovered music.
www.richerunsigned.com
By Appointment to
HRH The Prince of Wales
Supplier Of Consumer Electronics
Richer Sounds Ltd.
London
www.royalwarrant.org
An investigative think tank set up by our founder, Julian Richer, to investigate and expose aggressive tax avoidance.
www.taxwatchuk.org
We’re incredibly delighted to have picked up the most recent Which? Retailer of the Year award.
www.which.co.uk
We oppose zero-hour contracts unless requested by employees and are proud to be accredited by Zero Hours Justice.
www.zerohoursjustice.org
Our history and philosophy
Our Founder and MD, Julian Richer, began buying and selling hi-fi separates at school when he was 14. In 1978, aged 19, he opened his first shop on London Bridge Walk with the help of the late Vic Odden, a photography retailer. In May 2019, he sold 60% of his shares in the business (thus handing control) to an employee ownership trust.
We now trade from 51 stores nationwide, online and through our Telesales and Business to Business departments.
When you step into a Richer Sounds store, you’ll be greeted by someone who not only knows all about audio and visual entertainment, but also knows how to make it work beautifully in a real home or place of work. As well as having a team that love what they do, we train, train and train constantly so we can be confident in saying we have the knowledge on audio and visual entertainment.
12 great reasons to buy
From our expert advice to our low prices and unique culture, we think there are many great reasons to choose us.
#1 All the answers you need
We're here for you 7 days a week with friendly, knowledgeable advice by appointment, phone & video call from your local in-store experts & telesales team, who all do the same intensive product training.
#2 An enhanced entertainment experience
Want to take your experience to the next level but are unsure where to start? Our bespoke installations will turn your dreams into state-of-the-art reality.
#3 You're always talking to the owner!
Being proudly employee owned means everyone you talk to has a real stake in the company's success, as we indirectly own 60% of the company.
#4 Our unique culture and way of working
In a recent TSB survey, 97% of people agreed it's important that businesses act responsibly. By shopping with us, you're supporting a retailer that plays fair with customers, suppliers and staff. We always try hard to act accordingly and this culture runs through everything we do.
#5 Get the lowest prices, guaranteed!
We guarantee you'll get the lowest prices shopping with us. Ts&Cs apply. Products must be brand new, in stock and with a similar guarantee.
#6 Be a VIP, with fantastic privileges
Become a Richer Sounds VIP Club member in seconds with just an email address.
#7 We've got it covered for longer
We offer free extended guarantees on many products for VIP Club members, and a 6 Year Guarantee on hi-fi & home cinema components that's refundable if unused.
#8 Our teams are on a high street nearby
Supporting local high streets is important to us! Get great offers & clearance bargains in 51 stores nationwide, or from telesales and online. Plus B2B and custom installation departments.
#9 We'll happily come to you
To find the ideal solutions for you, ask us for a FREE, NO OBLIGATION consultation and survey at your home or place of work today. Or let our experts video-call you.
#10 Get your purchase when it suits
Delivery couldn't be easier, with convenient next working day, nominated day, or FREE delivery (6 working days (Mon to Fri, excl. Bank Hols) to most of mainland GB, orders over £50).
#11 Music and movies are our inspiration!
We're as passionate about home entertainment as you! Why not explore our blog, read our reviews & watch our product videos?
#12 Here for our customers since 1978
We've helped many loyal customers in our over-40 year history, and are proud of our unique culture and way of working.
We aim to run a responsible business
What do we mean when we call ourselves a ‘responsible business’? Julian has developed some ideas about how a business can be successful and benefit society.
From the introduction of his book, 'The Ethical Capitalist', where he explains his thinking:
“I mean treating staff, customers and suppliers honestly, openly and respectfully. I mean doing what we say we will do. I mean taking responsibility for our actions, owning up when things go wrong and setting out to put them right. I mean seeing ourselves as an integral part of society and paying our dues – especially taxes – accordingly. By following this approach, I believe we create a virtuous circle for ourselves: not only is it the right thing to do, we sleep better at night, and I believe a fair and honest approach to customers and staff leads to a huge competitive advantage.”
We try hard to live up to this standard and hope that this philosophy runs through everything we do.
We’re a Good Business Charter company
In a recent TSB survey, 97% of people agreed that it was important that businesses act responsibly and we couldn’t agree more! We’re proud to be a Good Business Charter company. We’ve signed up to its 10-component accreditation scheme, which covers paying colleagues the real living wage, fairer hours and contracts, employee well-being, employee representation, diversity and inclusion, environmental responsibility, paying fair tax, commitment to customers, ethical sourcing, and prompt payment.
Visit https://goodbusinesscharter.com to find out more.
Real living wage
Fairer hours and contracts
Employee well-being
Employee representation
Diversity and inclusion
Environmental responsibility
Pay fair tax
Commitment to customers
Ethical sourcing
Prompt payment
Caring for our environment
We're committed to sustaining our environment for future generations and work with Carbon Footprint Limited on clean energy projects.
(WEEE) In-store Take Back
The Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is the fastest growing waste stream in the UK, growing by at least 5% each year. The public incorrectly disposes of over 1.2 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste (equivalent of 150,000 double decker buses) in the UK each year in landfill sites. Depositing WEEE in landfill sites can have negative impacts on the environment, polluting soil, air and water quality which in turn can have negative impacts on human and animal health. Alarmingly, much of the WEEE that ends up in landfill sites could have been recycled.
We can help… Richer Sounds welcomes the opportunity of recycling your old household electrical item free of charge when returned to any of our 51 stores on the purchase of any like-for like product. This offer is valid for 28 days from purchase, on production of a valid receipt. Please contact your local store or a member of our customer services team for more details 0333 900 0094.
Our on-line customers are also given the option to arrange a WEEE collection at the time of purchase transaction on the majority of our TV products. A small fee applies to cover transport costs.
Alternatively, please contact your Local Authority who will be able to provide details of other recycling options available in your area.
To remind you that old electrical equipment can be recycled, it is now marked with a crossed-out wheeled bin symbol. Please do not throw any electrical equipment (including those marked with the crossed out wheeled bin symbol) in your bin.
Richer Sounds WEEE producer registration number: WEE/HG0043SY
Richer Sounds recognises that the provision of all services and products generates an impact on the environment and we are fully committed to minimising any potential negative impact by continually striving to improve our environmental performance. Click here to download our environmental policy.
When we use this logo on a TV it means that it has been certified by either ecolabel.eu or has an Energy Saving Recommended certification mark.
The Eco-label on televisions tells you:
• The product consumes less energy during use and standby
• It contains fewer substances that are dangerous for health and the environment
• The products can be taken back free of charge by the manufacturer after use
• It contains instructions for correct environmental use
• It is designed for greater durability and recyclability
In order for a product to qualify for an Energy Saving Recommended certification, it must use less energy than standard models, therefore lowering energy bills and helping the environment.
Modern day slavery statement
Richer Sounds recognises that slavery and human trafficking are crimes and violations of fundamental human rights and remain a hidden blight on our global society. We hold a zero-tolerance approach to slavery and human trafficking and are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings. We expect our colleagues, suppliers, contractors and all other stakeholders to commit to the same, including implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to prevent and detect modern slavery. We would never knowingly conduct business with suppliers or employees engaged in such practices. Our colleagues are expected to report concerns and management are expected to act upon them. Our supply chain policies and procedures are reviewed and accredited by the Slave Free Alliance to prevent modern day slavery within our supply chain.
Read the most recent full statement here
Read the previous statements
Conflict minerals are minerals mined in conditions of armed conflict and human rights abuses, and which are sold or traded by armed groups. This problem has led to the creation of a number of international initiatives (including those from the OECD and the UK government) calling on companies in electronics industries to play a part in addressing it.
Richer Sounds is committed to conflict-free sourcing and ongoing due-diligence. Although we are a long way from the end of this supply chain, we want to work with our suppliers to make sure that they have robust policies in place addressing conflict minerals further down the chain. We are working with Ethical Consumer (Research Association) to ensure that we are demonstrating best practice for consumer electronics retailers in this area.
Policy Date: 11 July 2019
What other people say about us
“The company, which has 52 branches across the UK, has championed a model of hiring knowledgeable staff, giving them secure jobs and paying them well. - The Independent
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“The bald fact remains that Richer Sounds, the slightly maverick hi-fi retailer, generally donates a higher percentage of its profits (currently 15%) than any other privately owned company." - The Guardian
The Richer Way by Julian Richer is described as “one of the best business books in history” by The Independent.
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“Some firms reported so-called "negative" pay gaps, where women are paid on average more than men. These included electric car maker Tesla Motors, babywear retailer Mamas and Papas and electronics retailer Richer Sounds.” – BBC News.
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Employee Ownership Trust - “The owner and founder of Richer Sounds, Julian Richer, used a special trust to give his 500 staff a 60% indirect stake in the business.” – BBC News.
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“[Richer Sounds] was among the first to commit to the Living Wage Foundation's level for a national living wage.” – Sky News.
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“Richer Sounds is thought to be the biggest company to convert itself into an employee ownership trust.” – The Times.
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“Richer Sounds… refuses to use zero-hours contracts and is one of the 14% of companies with a pay gap that favours women. Employee perks include access to company holiday homes around the world, including in European cities such as Paris, Venice and Barcelona. It donates 15% of profits, which last year stood at £9.6m, to charity.” – The Guardian.
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“Online shoppers receive misleading information about their rights to return items, leading to widespread confusion, a consumer group has said. Which? studied the websites of 46 retailers and supermarkets. It found that all but one had errors. The only retailer to pass the test was hi-fi seller Richer Sounds.” – BBC News.
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The Ethical Capitalist by Julian Richer was a Financial Times book of the month.
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“Mr Richer has said that motivating staff was a “crucial element” of the retailer’s success along with its “second to none” commitment to customer service.” – Financial Times.
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”The gold standard for retail workers? Richer Sounds has signed up to be a living hours employee.” – The Independent.
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“It also pays its suppliers on time, is accredited by The Fair Tax Mark for paying tax and reporting tax transparently and has a comprehensive environmental policy.” – Daily Mirror.
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