Will Amazon capitalise on Bunnings debacle?
Reports surfaced last week that one of the world’s largest online retailers could be set to take advantage of the Bunnings UK and Ireland fiasco. Since Bunnings withdrew from the UK market and sold Homebase for a nominal £1, the new owners – Hilco Capital – unveiled plans to close a quarter of its stores. […]
Further woe for DIY as Homebase to close a quarter of its stores
Embattled retailer Homebase is set to close a quarter of its stores, according to Sky News, putting more than 1,000 jobs at risk. The widely predicted news comes three months after Hilco Capital bought the struggling company from Wesfarmers for just £1. Wesfarmers’ plans of launching the Bunnings brand in the UK were mortally wounded […]
HMV rescuer buys Homebase & Bunnings UK & Ireland… for £1
Bunnings’ 24 UK and Ireland pilot stores will swiftly be converted back into Homebase stores following Wesfarmers withdrawal from the UK and Irish market. The Australian DIY giant has washed its hands of the struggling UK & Irish businesses for a nominal fee – widely reported as £1. Hilco Capital – which bought the ailing […]
Former Comet owner bids for Homebase
Private investment company OpCapita is reportedly bidding to take on Homebase, following the dire performance of the brand following Wesfarmer’s acquisition. Sky News reports that OpCapita – owner of the Football Pools – has tabled an offer to the Bunnings owner. The private investment company owned electrical goods retailer Comet when that company was liquidated […]
Bunnings opens north of the Watford Gap
The effects of one of the biggest shake ups to the UK DIY market in recent years have at last been felt in the north of England, with Bunnings’ first two stores opening north of the Watford Gap. Rotherham now has a Bunnings store, with Rochdale next in line following a programme of openings that […]
Homebase struggles in Bunnings’ Q1 financials
Bunnings United Kingdom and Ireland (BUKI) total sales decreased 17.5% (13.8% in local currency) as difficult trading conditions persisted for Homebase in Q1 (the 13 week period to 45 September 2017). Owner Wesfarmers had a “generally pleasing” overall sales performance across its businesses, with the continued strong performances of Bunnings Australia and New Zealand, Kmart and […]
Bunnings UK & Ireland reports £54 million loss
Wesfarmers reported a loss for its new Bunnings UK & Ireland arm of the business in its latest financial statement. Bunnings bought the Homebase business in February 2016 and began the process of importing its Bunnings store concept to the UK & Ireland by converting old Homebase stores in February 2017, starting with St Albans’ two […]
Bunnings brings in new boss for Homebase
Bunnings UK and Ireland today announced the appointment of David Haydon as Trading and Commercial Manager for Homebase. He will join the business in late June, with responsibility for running the Homebase business. Haydon, whose experience includes senior roles at both B&Q and Wickes will join the Bunnings UK and Ireland leadership team, reporting to […]
Bunnings opens 2nd UK warehouse ahead of Easter weekend
The UK’s second Bunnings Warehouse store opened yesterday (12 April) on Hatfield Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire. The 40,000 sqft store stocks more than 24,000 home improvement and garden products. Over 50 new jobs have been created, in addition to the 30 new positions at the first Bunnings Warehouse in Griffiths Way, in the same city. The […]
UK’s first Bunnings Warehouse store opens for trading
The first Bunnings Warehouse store in the UK and Ireland opened its doors to customers today (Thursday 2 February) in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The pilot store, on the site of the former Homebase in Griffiths Way, is the first of at least four pilot stores to be opened by June, creating 120 jobs. Read analysis […]