The Range has confirmed its second wave of store openings in former Homebase locations, with three new outlets set to launch on January 24.
Last year, the DIY giant fell into administration with various retailers purchasing locations earmarked for closure.
Store closures have become the norm in recent years in a blow to the high street economy. However, The Range is among the brands committed to having a physical shopping presence for consumers.
The discount retailer will unveil new-format stores in Newton Abbot, Felixstowe and Blyth. The latest openings follow The Range’s acquisition of the Homebase brand and up to 70 stores in a deal struck last November.
These new branches will showcase The Range’s complete product offering alongside its Garden Centres by Homebase concept.
This expansion marks the latest phase in The Range’s transformation of former Homebase sites, as the company continues its ambitious rollout across the UK.
The retailer’s first wave of store openings is scheduled for January 17, with locations in Pollokshaws, Glasgow; Christchurch, Bournemouth; and Kings Heath, Birmingham.
The expansion forms part of an ambitious strategy by CDS Superstores, owner of The Range, to launch 10 new superstores monthly.
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The company aims to convert up to 70 Homebase locations throughout the year. This nationwide transformation is expected to create 1,600 new jobs. During the transition period, acquired Homebase stores will continue their regular trading operations.
The company is also planning to relaunch the Homebase website, with www.homebase.co.uk expected to go live soon to support customers with their home improvement needs.
CDS group chief executive Alex Simpkin outlined the company’s commitment to preserving Homebase’s legacy while expanding its offering.
“We’re fully committed to retaining the best of Homebase’s heritage while introducing the broader product range and value that customers expect from us as The Range,” he said.
“While those Homebase stores acquired by CDS will continue to trade as they are during the transition period, we’re focused on ensuring a seamless transfer of these locations into our new store format, with six launches now confirmed for January 2025 already.”
In a separate development, B&Q has acquired five Homebase stores across the UK in a £2.5million deal.
The DIY retailer will take over locations in Altrincham, Basingstoke, Biggleswade, Leamington Spa and Worcester.
The acquisition adds 25,000 sqm to B&Q’s store portfolio, with staff from affected stores transferring to B&Q as part of the agreement.
This follows B&Q’s recent expansion in Ireland, where it purchased three former Homebase stores for £3.2million last month.
The Irish acquisition added 9,300sqm to B&Q’s portfolio of eight stores in the Republic of Ireland. The move comes after Homebase placed 74 of its stores up for sale following administration.
Store conversions to the B&Q brand are set to begin this spring. B&Q chief executive Graham Bell expressed enthusiasm about the acquisitions and future plans for the business.
“We’re delighted to be buying these five stores, bringing a total of eight additional sites to our fantastic store network in the UK and Ireland,” he said. Bell emphasised the company’s commitment to improving customer experience.
He added: “We’re determined to give home improvers the choice and convenience they deserve, and to transform the home improvement stores in these locations to fulfil that need.”
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In a separate development, B&Q has acquired five Homebase stores across the UK in a £2.5million deal
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Here is a list of the Homebase locations that were placed on the market:
- Abingdon, Oxfordshire
- Alnwick, Northumberland
- Altrincham Retail Park, Manchester
- Junction One Retail Park, Antrim, Northern Ireland
- Barnstaple, Devon
- Basildon, Essex
- Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Shane Park, Belfast
- Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland
- Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
- Battery Retail Park, Birmingham
- Bishop Auckland, County Durham
- Bracknell, Berkshire
- Enterprise Five Retail Park, Bradford
- Branksome, Poole
- Bridgend Retail Park, Bridgend, Wales
- Broadstairs, Kent
- Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
- The Orbital Retail Centre, Cannock, Staffordshire
- Horsted Retail Park, Chatham, Kent
- Cheltenham
- Greyhound Retail Park, Chester
- Discovery Park, Chichester
- Colchester Stanway, Colchester
- Gallagher Retail Park, Coventry
- Rushmore Retail Park, Craigavon
- Daventry, Northamptonshire
- Wyvern Retail Park, Derby
- Dumfries, Scotland
- Halbeath Retail Park, Dunfermline, Scotland
- Farnham Retail Park, Farnham
- Folkestone, Kent
- Drumkeen Complex, Belfast
- Retail World, Gateshead
- Gloucester
- Hamilton, Scotland
- Hanworth, Feltham, London
- Harlow, Essex
- Eddington Business Park, Herne Bay, Kent
- Tyne Valley Retail Park, Hexham
- Heath Retail Park, Honiton
- Hove, Brighton & Hove
- Hull
- Leamington Spa
- Ledbury, Herefordshire
- Moor Allerton Centre, Leeds
- Letterkenny, Republic of Ireland
- Lewes, East Sussex
- London Catford
- London Streatham Vale
- Luton
- South Aylesford Retail Park, Maidstone
- Milton Keynes
- Navan Retail Park, Republic of Ireland
- Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire
- Norwich Hall Road
- Norwich Sprowston
- Madford Retail Park, Nottingham
- Oban, Scotland
- Oldbury, West Midlands
- Wyndham Retail Park, Portishead
- Romford, Essex
- Saffron Walden, Essex
- Sleaford, Lincolnshire
- St Albans
- Sudbury, Suffolk
- Wrekin Retail Park, Telford
- Truro, Cornwall
- Tunbridge Wells
- Upton, Wirral
- Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire
- Waterford, Republic of Ireland
- Wolverhampton
- Worcester.
