CDS Superstores, owner of The Range, has acquired the Homebase brand along with 70 of its UK stores, signaling a significant shift in the retail landscape.
- These stores will continue to operate under the Homebase name temporarily but will eventually rebrand to The Range.
- The acquisition aims to integrate Homebase’s expertise in garden and DIY sectors into The Range’s offerings.
- The deal is set to preserve approximately 1,600 jobs, although the future of employees at the remaining 60 Homebase locations is uncertain.
- This move comes on the heels of CDS’s acquisition of Wilko, indicating a strategic expansion plan.
CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range, has completed the acquisition of the Homebase brand, including its intellectual property and 70 UK stores. The CEO, Alex Simpkin, emphasized that these locations will temporarily continue to operate under the Homebase brand. However, they are slated to transition to The Range, offering a broader selection of products while retaining Homebase’s garden, showroom, and DIY expertise.
This acquisition is designed to merge the strengths of both brands, enhancing The Range’s product mix with Homebase’s renowned sectors. As Alex Simpkin stated, the integration will bring broader choices across various categories, maintaining the essence of Homebase’s expertise and heritage. CDS plans to invest further in the Homebase brand, with several initiatives already in progress.
The acquisition is a job-saving move, with approximately 1,600 positions secured under the new ownership. However, the fate of workers in the other 60 Homebase stores remains uncertain. Simpkin noted that The Range and Wilko would prioritize these employees for vacancies in their existing stores.
Homebase had previously engaged Teneo for a pre-pack sale, seeking to salvage a significant portion of its workforce. CDS’s acquisition echoes its earlier purchase of Wilko, with plans to open additional Wilko format stores. The seventh Wilko store is set to open in Uxbridge, West London.
CDS’s strategy appears focused on expanding its retail footprint by leveraging the acquired Homebase and Wilko brands to access new customer bases and communities. This acquisition is part of a broader plan to potentially double the size of its store network within the next four to five years.
The acquisition of Homebase by CDS Superstores marks a strategic step towards expanding its retail influence and reaching new audiences.
