When Arnold Vella opened a small furniture showroom in Żebbuġ back in 2008, he could not have imagined that, in less than two decades, Fairdeal Furniture would become one of Malta’s leading furniture importers – renowned for its vast range of products, but also for its ability to deliver quality, style, and affordability all under one roof.

Today, Fairdeal Furniture’s showroom stands as one of the largest on the island, showcasing an extensive collection of furnishings for every room in the home; bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and even complete home fittings such as lighting, flooring, and internal doors.

Whether customers are furnishing a family home, an apartment, or simply refreshing a single space, the company’s mission is clear: to provide quality furniture and furnishings at prices Maltese families can afford.

Mr Vella’s journey into the furniture business began long before Fairdeal was established. Growing up in a family of carpenters, he began working alongside his father at just 14 years old. By 16, he was self-employed, building a strong foundation in craftsmanship and an understanding of what makes furniture not just functional, but durable and beautiful. This hands-on background became the basis of Fairdeal’s philosophy.

In 2008, Mr Vella began importing furniture, operating from a modest showroom in Żebbuġ. The business quickly took off, and within just three years, the showroom had outgrown its space. The solution was bold but a necessary one – an expansion in 2011, followed by continued growth in the following years.

By 2026, Fairdeal Furniture’s showroom will span an impressive 4,000 square metres, offering one of the largest furniture display areas in Malta.

A key to Fairdeal’s success lies in its determined commitment to keeping products in stock. The showroom boasts over 45 different sofa models, more than 20 bedroom setups, and a newly refurbished kitchen area with over 15 models on display. This means customers can see, touch, and experience the furniture before purchasing and, crucially, take it home quickly.

“Our target has always been to keep furniture and sofas in stock so that delivery can be made within 48 hours,” Mr Vella says. “In Malta, customers value immediacy. When they buy furniture, they don’t want to wait months for it to arrive.”

This ‘buy today, enjoy tomorrow’ approach has set Fairdeal apart, allowing them to meet the needs of both individual homeowners and property developers furnishing multiple units.

While Fairdeal is well-known for its imported ranges from the Far East and Europe, particularly Italy, it also offers locally made furniture. Interestingly, Mr Vella doesn’t draw a hard line between the two.

“For me, there’s no distinction between locally made and imported,” he says. “What matters is quality. I go to the suppliers, see the materials, watch the build process, and make sure that every piece meets our standards.”

On a different front, Fairdeal Furniture acquired the ITV Shopping Channel; a 24/7 television platform dedicated to showcasing its products. “We used to advertise on this channel before we called it our own,” Mr Vella recalls. “When the opportunity came to buy it, we rose to the challenge.”

This acquisition brought Fairdeal into thousands of Maltese homes every day, enabling the brand to connect with a wider audience. “We saw a big boost in sales. It allowed us to target all markets, from young couples setting up their first home to families upgrading their space.”

Understanding that affordability is key for many customers, Mr Vella launched a separate brand called Low Cost Furniture aimed at catering to budget-conscious buyers without compromising on quality. This concept offers good-quality furniture at reduced prices, particularly suited for furnished apartments and rental properties.

“At Low Cost Furniture, customers can find bedrooms, dining tables, sofa beds, sofas, and more – all available from stock,” Mr Vella explains. “We operate almost like a cash-and-carry store. Customers can collect and assemble the furniture themselves, or we can offer delivery and assembly for an extra charge.”

While Fairdeal Furniture focuses on full-service sales, including delivery and professional installation, Low Cost Furniture gives buyers the flexibility to save further by handling transport and assembly themselves. Despite the difference in approach, both brands are committed to making stylish, durable furniture accessible to more households.

Behind the expansion, product range, and innovative marketing, Mr Vella attributes Fairdeal’s success to the people who work there. “I look at my employees as family,” he says. “We’ve had ups and downs, especially during COVID and personal challenges I’ve faced along the years, but I’ve always been able to count on my team. Challenges are what kept me going.”

This respect for his staff, rooted in his early years working with his father, translates into a positive customer experience. Employees are empowered to assist customers with genuine care, making sure that every purchase is smooth from selection to delivery.

The future looks bright for Fairdeal Furniture. With the upcoming expansion to 4,000 square metres, the continuation of the ITV Shopping Channel, and the introduction of monthly instalment payment options that will be launched in the coming months, the company is poised to serve an even broader segment of the Maltese market.

For Mr Vella, the vision remains grounded in the principles that started it all – quality, affordability, and trust. “We’ve grown, but we haven’t changed our mission,” he says. “We want to make good-quality furniture available to everyone, and we’ll keep finding ways to make that happen.”