Customers are reeling after a popular and fashionable furniture and homewares retailer suddenly closed.
Sydney retailer Gigi&ToM announced the sad news this week with a post on Instagram, where it has more than 100,000 followers.
“It is with a heavy heart that we have to inform you that we are closing our company Gigi&ToM,” the statement said.
“This decision was not an easy one and we greatly appreciate your support over the past three years.
“While we are so proud of the community and brand we have built, the path of entrepreneurship is often unpredictable, and while we have had many wins, the current business climate has made it challenging to secure continued investment in a start-up brand to set.’
Customers were also told this was their ‘last chance to get our iconic range of unique homewares at a bargain price, until stocks last’.
“Please note that our business is operating normally, we are not going into administration and all pre-orders have been fulfilled,” it added.
The announcement caused an outpouring of shock from disappointed customers.
One of the funky furniture pieces sold by recently closed Sydney retailer Gigi&ToM
“Oh no…I’ve bought so many things from you for my adult granddaughters,” said one customer.
‘They absolutely love their quirkiness, and so do I. I bought things that I hoped would make them laugh when they used them. I’m very sad.’
“So devastated by this!” another person wrote.
“I was hoping to save up for some of your furniture this year.”
“I was absolutely shocked when I read the email,” someone else wrote.
‘I am so devastated for you and also devastated that I can no longer buy absolute beauties from you.
There was an outpouring of sadness from loyal customers who appreciated the retailer’s stylized offering
‘I, like so many others, am absolutely obsessed with the quality items you sell. I slowly turned my room into a Gigi & Tom museum.
‘Thank you very much for the great service and good luck with all your future endeavors. You will truly be missed by everyone.”
The store, which started in 2021, is primarily the brainchild of former major department store buyer Abbie Evans and is named after her and other female co-founders’ pets.
“We are a female-led Australian business based on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, working hard every day to ensure your space reflects you!” the site says.