Norton Group Holdings Limited is a British holding company of home improvement retailers including The Range, Wilko and Homebase, as well as a concession partnership with the Iceland supermarket chain. It is owned by chairman and CEO Chris Dawson's wife Sarah Dawson.[1]
| Industry | Home improvement retailers |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | |
Key people | Chris Dawson |
| Brands | The Range Wilko Homebase |
Where Norton Group Holdings is the ultimate parent company, CDS Superstores International is its trading subsidiary, responsible for its day-to-day retail operations.[2]
History
editIn 1980, Chris Dawson began as an open-air market trader in Plymouth, later opening a retail store on Sugar Mill Business Park in 1989. Initially trading as Chris Dawson Superstores (CDS), the name would later change to The Range in the early 1990s.[3] The Range would then later grow into a major retailer across the United Kingdom, with Norton Group Holdings becoming the ultimate owning company.[4]
In September 2023, the company acquired the brand and digital assets of discount retailer Wilko for £5,000,000 after Wilko's parent company collapsed into administration a month earlier.[5] In October 2023, Norton Group Holdings said that the company would open 5 new stand-alone Wilko stores “before Christmas". This came just under 3 weeks after the collapsed retailer ceased operations.[6] This would include a store in both Plymouth and Exeter, two in the southeast, and one in the north.[7] By 29 March 2024, Wilko stores had opened in Plymouth, Exeter, Luton, St Albans, and Rotherham, with an additional store planned to open in Poole in August 2024.[8][9]
In July 2024, it was reported that Norton Group Holdings was exploring a takeover deal of DIY chain Homebase from Hilco Capital.[10]
In November 2024, Norton Group Holdings rescued Homebase from administration, safeguarding 1,500 jobs with up to 75 stores saved.[11]
References
edit- ^ Morgan-Bentley, Paul (13 April 2019). "The Range boss Chris Dawson hands business to his wife saving millions in tax". The Times. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
- ^ "CDS Superstores Acquires Homebase Brand, IP And Up To 70 Stores". www.insightdiy.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-17.
- ^ "The Range owner Chris Dawson sees wealth surge to £2.5bn". Yahoo News. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ "The Range turnover tops £760m as profits grow". www.insightdiy.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ "Wilko brand bought by The Range in £5m deal". BBC News. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
- ^ Jones, Stephen (2023-10-27). "Standalone Wilko stores to return to the UK under 'aggressive' rollout plans". The Grocer. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
- ^ "Five Wilko shops to reopen before Christmas". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
- ^ Cannon, Finley (2023-11-03). "Wilko set to open in Luton with 80 new employees". Bedfordshire Live. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
- ^ Cunningham, Ed (2024-03-28). "Wilko is opening 300 new UK stores – here's the full list of confirmed locations so far". Time Out United Kingdom. Retrieved 2024-05-04.
- ^ Hill, Eloise (2024-07-21). "Homebase owner approached by The Range as it eyes sale - Retail Gazette". Retrieved 2024-07-21.
- ^ "The Range closes in on chunk of Homebase in pre-pack sale". Sky News. Retrieved 2024-11-13.