CDS Superstores, owner of The Range and Wilko, has completed the acquisition of the Homebase brand, intellectual property, and 70 UK stores.
- The transition will see these stores operate under The Range branding, though they will continue to trade as Homebase in the short term.
- Approximately 1,600 jobs are preserved with this deal, although there remains uncertainty for employees at the other 60 Homebase locations.
- CDS aims to provide new positions for affected workers in existing The Range and Wilko stores, focusing on safeguarding employment.
- This acquisition follows CDS’s purchase of Wilko, with plans to substantially expand its store network.
CDS Superstores, which owns The Range and Wilko, has strategically purchased the Homebase brand, along with its intellectual property and 70 UK stores. This acquisition is in line with CDS’s vision to extend its market reach and diversify its retail offerings.
In the immediate future, the newly acquired Homebase stores will continue trading under their current name, with plans for these locations to eventually rebrand as The Range outlets. The rebranded stores are expected to integrate the extensive product range of The Range with the specialised garden, showroom, and DIY offerings that Homebase is known for, according to CDS Superstores Group CEO Alex Simpkin.
The preservation of approximately 1,600 jobs within these 70 stores forms a significant part of this acquisition. However, there is still uncertainty surrounding the employment prospects for workers at Homebase’s remaining 60 outlets. In response, CDS has committed to prioritising hiring affected staff for any vacant roles within its existing The Range and Wilko stores, as part of their efforts to secure jobs.
This deal is part of CDS’s broader strategy, having previously acquired Wilko just over a year ago. Since then, CDS has been rolling out Wilko’s store format, with the latest opening in Uxbridge. CDS plans to substantially grow its store presence over the next four to five years, leveraging the newly acquired Homebase brand to access fresh customer demographics and penetrate new communities.
The acquisition of Homebase by CDS Superstores represents a strategic move to expand their retail footprint while attempting to protect jobs amidst ongoing market challenges.
