Bathstore is a British specialist bathroom retail brand that has been trading as a concession in Homebase locations since 2019. Prior to the Homebase acquisition, Bathstore operated as standalone locations.
 | |
| Founded | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Milton Keynes, England |
| Parent | Homebase |
| Website | www |
In November 2024, it was announced that Homebase was placed into administration, with CDS (Superstores International) Limited (The Range) purchasing the Homebase brand and intellectual property assets. On the 6th of December 2024, it was published that the Bathstore brand is owned outside of the Homebase group, and that CDS Superstores had consideration with the administrators for acquiring it.[1]
History
editBathstore was established in 1990 by Patrick Riley and Nico de Beer,[2] with the idea to bring quality design-led bathrooms to more customers. The company published one catalogue that contained all its products for the complete bathroom, with retail prices.[citation needed] The ethos was to focus on the homeowner, rather than the trade buyer.
In June 2003, the company was acquired for an undisclosed sum by Wolseley, a distributor of plumbing supplies and building materials.[2]
Bathstore launched its first television advertising campaign in December 2006. In November 2007, its television advertisements used CGI technology for the first time, incorporating water animation to bring life and movement to the products being showcased. These advertisements were voiced by the star from Spooks and Cold Feet, Hermione Norris.[3]
A period of rapid expansion and brand development under the leadership of executive chairman Nick Nearchou established the business as a speciality bathroom retailer, with more than 150 showrooms in the United Kingdom by the end of 2007.[citation needed] In 2009, the warehousing and delivery operation was transferred to DHL Supply Chain, at their facility at the Daventry International Railfreight Terminal near Crick.[citation needed]
In May 2012, Wolseley sold Bathstore to the turnaround specialist Endless LLP for £15 million cash, in order to focus on core wholesale businesses. At that time there were over 160 stores.[4][5]
In June 2014, Endless sold Bathstore in a management buyout led by chief executive Gary Favell, backed by American private finance. The price was not disclosed, although The Telegraph reported that Endless had made a five-fold return on its investment.[6]
In April 2017, the company branched out into kitchens and bedrooms: they opened two new Haus Stores in Farnborough and Lakeside, having acquired two former Betta Living premises.[7]
On 26 June 2019, Bathstore went into administration.[8][9] At the time, it had 135 stores in the United Kingdom, employing over five hundred people.[8] In July 2019, it was announced that Homebase had purchased 44 stores, and that the remaining stores would cease trading once stock was sold.[10]
Awards and recognition
editThe company was nominated and shortlisted for the Retail Week Awards as Best Specialist Retailer in 2007 and 2008.[11]
References
edit- ^ Moran, James (6 December 2024). "HHGL Limited, Joint Administrators' Statement of Proposals". Companies House. Retrieved 14 December 2024.
- ^ a b Hawkes, Alex (14 November 2010). "Wolseley to sell off Bathstore". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ Bathstore Makes a Splash Archived 26 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine creativematch.co.uk, 29 November 2007.
- ^ "Bathstore sold by Wolseley | TheBusinessDesk.com". The Business Desk. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Bathstore". Endless LLP. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "American billionaire backs Bathstore buyout". The Telegraph. 30 June 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ^ "Bathstore branches out into kitchens and bedrooms with new fascia Haus Store". Retail Week. Retrieved 17 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Retailer Bathstore collapses into administration as jobs hang on the line". 26 June 2019. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
- ^ "Bathstore goes into administration, putting 500 jobs at risk". the Guardian. 26 June 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
- ^ "Homebase successfully buys Bathstore out of administration". www.retailgazette.co.uk. 22 July 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
- ^ "Retail Week Awards 2008". retailweek-awards.co.uk. Archived from the original on 29 April 2008. Retrieved 2 November 2016.