Homebase headed for administration

[Shooter McGavin]

Looks like some of it is going to be bought by The Range in a pre-pack deal

https://news.sky.com/story/the-range-closes-in-on-...

I've not shopped at Homebase since the Reading one closed in about 2018. It was previously my go-to DIY place but became expensive and poorly stocked, something I understand to be characteristic of the brand nationally.

Is the DIY retail market overcrowded? Personally I think B&Q and Wickes cover most things I need, with The Range, Screwfix and Toolstation performing very well as relatively new entrants - the latter two have excellent Click & Collect operations.

Personally I think the Homebase brand has long been dead in the water, I guess the surviving stores will be revamped as The Range outlets with a better product mix but reduced emphasis on building materials.

[boyse7en]

We've got a fairly large Homebase close to me and I've wondered for years how it manages to survive.
It doesn't seem to know if it is a DIY tools and materials supplier, or a garden centre with lots of patio furniture, and it doesn't fulfill either role very well.

[egomeister]

Didn't they get bought by some Aussies a while back who changed the direction a bit and messed them up? The one near me closed a while back, but I found it too much like a home goods store rather than a DIY store - I think it lacked identity

I sort of see what you mean by the market being a bit overcrowded, but actually I think there is opportunity still for the right entrant. In Germany they have OBI which seems superior to anything we have here.

[Bonefish Blues]

egomeister said:

Didn't they get bought by some Aussies a while back who changed the direction a bit and messed them up? The one near me closed a while back, but I found it too much like a home goods store rather than a DIY store - I think it lacked identity

I sort of see what you mean by the market being a bit overcrowded, but actually I think there is opportunity still for the right entrant. In Germany they have OBI which seems superior to anything we have here.

Yes, Bunnings (textbook screwup of an acquisition) - prior to that they had a good niche, afterwards they've not been the same. Shame.

[TheLurker]

I have to say I wasn't even aware they were still going, so I'm not surprised they're going. Before it closed, the one local to me never really had what I needed and it was far easier to pop to B&Q or Wicks.

[Richard-390a0]

Shooter McGavin said:

Is the DIY retail market overcrowded? Personally I think B&Q and Wickes cover most things I need, with The Range, Screwfix and Toolstation performing very well as relatively new entrants - the latter two have excellent Click & Collect operations.

Screwfix is owned by Kingfisher Group so B&Q & Toolstation is owned by Travis Perkins.

[PistonBroker]

The one in Taunton has been occupied by The Range for a good few years now.

We found ourselves in the Homebase in Tiverton a few months back and it was just a mess of a store that didn't seem to know what it was about. A shame as I remember it beiong a good store back in the day.

[I-A]

Bonefish Blues said:

Yes, Bunnings (textbook screwup of an acquisition) - prior to that they had a good niche, afterwards they've not been the same. Shame.

What actually happened with Bunnings? I recall our local store going thorugh the motions of rebranding etc and then undoing it all!

[emicen]

Richard-390a0 said:

Shooter McGavin said:

Is the DIY retail market overcrowded? Personally I think B&Q and Wickes cover most things I need, with The Range, Screwfix and Toolstation performing very well as relatively new entrants - the latter two have excellent Click & Collect operations.

Screwfix is owned by Kingfisher Group so B&Q & Toolstation is owned by Travis Perkins.

Kingfisher have fingers in a lot of pies. 4ourhouse and all its sub-genres are also under the Screwfix umbrella, so ultimately Kingfisher.

[Bonefish Blues]

I-A said:

Bonefish Blues said:

Yes, Bunnings (textbook screwup of an acquisition) - prior to that they had a good niche, afterwards they've not been the same. Shame.

What actually happened with Bunnings? I recall our local store going thorugh the motions of rebranding etc and then undoing it all!

Came in, all William Large Potatoes having been very successful in Oz. Implemented Oz formula at great expense. Customers voted with their feet. Withdrew in ignominy. As I said, textbook 'how not to...'