Homebase

Wickes enters FTSE 250 amid strong sales

Wickes has been promoted to the FTSE 250 index following a strong start to the year. David Wood, chief executive of the Wickes Group stated that it was a “fantastic recognition for all the hard work of its colleagues who do such a great job serving customers and helping the…

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M&S appoints ex-Coles exec Thinus Keeves as retail director

M&S has announced it has appointed former Coles executive Thinus Keeves to the newly created role of retail director.  Keeves, who will start on 6 June, will report to operations director Sacha Berendji. Berendji will continue to have overall accountability for Retail, Property, Security and Business Continuity.  Keeves joins the…

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Kingfisher sales rise 2.2% to £3.3bn in Q1

Kingfisher, which operates DIY brands Screwfix and B&Q, has reported that total sales rose 2.2% to £3.3bn in the first quarter ended 30 April.  It comes as like-for-like sales grew 1.8% during the period, with the group noting a 2.7% boost in underlying growth, thanks to customers making more large…

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M&S to open 12 new stores in former Homebase sites

Marks and Spencer is set to open 12 brand new food stores on former Homebase sites across England, in a move that will create over 550 new jobs. The openings form part of M&S’s store rotation and renewal programme, which aims to create 420 “bigger, fresher” food stores and transform…

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Wickes revenues up almost 7% in Q1

Wickes has announced that its group revenues have risen 6.9% to £533.1m during the 17 weeks ended 26 April 2025. This came after strong volume-led sales growth within its retail arm which saw its revenue grow 9.6% to £396.7m in the period. Wickes stated that it increased its market share…

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Today’s news in brief-7/5/25

Asda has appointed Rachel Eyre as its new chief customer officer, replacing David Hills. Eyre joins from Morrisons, where she served as chief customer and marketing officer, overseeing brand strategy, digital, and PR. With prior experience at Sainsbury’s and Barclays, she aims to reinforce Asda’s position as the UK’s lowest-priced…

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The Range unveils new set of format stores amid Homebase acquisition

CDS Superstores, parent company of The Range and Wilko, has confirmed the next raft of openings for its new-format superstores, following the acquisition of the Homebase brand and up to 70 of its stores. Building on earlier plans to convert 45 former Homebase stores across the country as The Range…

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Today’s news in brief-24/3/25

Harrods is nearing the finalisation of compensation payments for victims of sexual abuse by its former owner, Mohamed al Fayed, who died in 2023. According to draft terms seen by Sky News, some claimants could receive over £300k, depending on whether they opt for a psychiatric assessment. Those choosing the…

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The Range opens new superstore concept in Ruislip

UK home, leisure and garden retailer, The Range, has opened a new superstore in Ruislip featuring its first ‘Kitchens by Homebase’ concept. The ‘Kitchens by Homebase’ is the latest addition to be introduced to The Range superstores allowing customers to find their “dream kitchen”, with design specialists on hand to…

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Today’s news in brief-31/1/25

Homebase, the DIY retailer that collapsed into administration in November 2024, owes more than £650m to unsecured creditors, including suppliers AO World, Halfords, and The Hut. Administrator Teneo reported total unsecured claims of £657m, with £100m owed to trade creditors. Major debts include £2.9m to Close Brothers for till systems,…

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