Norton Group Holdings

Last updated
Norton Group Holdings Limited
IndustryHome improvement retailers
Headquarters,
Area served
Key people
Chris Dawson
Brands The Range
Wilko

Norton Group Holdings Limited is a British holding company of home improvement retailers including The Range and Wilko, as well as a concession partnership with the Iceland supermarket chain. It is owned by Chris Dawson.

History

In 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. [1] The Range would then later grow into a major retailer across the United Kingdom, with Norton Group Holdings becoming the ultimate owning company. [2]

Former Wilko Store Wilco Store Pre 2023.jpg
Former Wilko Store

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. [3] 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. [4] This would include a store in both Plymouth and Exeter, two in the southeast, and one in the north. [5] 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 at an unconfirmed date. [6] [7]

In July 2024, it was reported that Norton Group Holdings was exploring a takeover deal of DIY chain Homebase from Hilco Capital. [8]

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References

  1. "The Range owner Chris Dawson sees wealth surge to £2.5bn". Yahoo News. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  2. "The Range turnover tops £760m as profits grow". www.insightdiy.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  3. "Wilko brand bought by The Range in £5m deal". BBC News. 2023-09-13. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  4. Jones, Stephen (2023-10-27). "Standalone Wilko stores to return to the UK under 'aggressive' rollout plans". The Grocer. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  5. "Five Wilko shops to reopen before Christmas". Sky News. Retrieved 2023-11-02.
  6. Cannon, Finley (2023-11-03). "Wilko set to open in Luton with 80 new employees". Bedfordshire Live. Retrieved 2024-05-03.
  7. 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.
  8. Hill, Eloise (2024-07-21). "Homebase owner approached by The Range as it eyes sale - Retail Gazette" . Retrieved 2024-07-21.