Home Retail Group Overview and History

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Home Retail Group has a rich history, dating back to 1872 when William White founded a small ironmongery business in London.

The company has undergone significant transformations over the years, with its first major change occurring in 1972 when it was acquired by the White family.

Home Retail Group was officially formed in 2006 after the merger of Argos and Homebase, two well-established home improvement and retail brands.

History of Home Retail Group

Home Retail Group was formed in July 2006 after a demerger from GUS, and its shares were traded on the London Stock Exchange from October 2006.

The company was previously known as Argos Retail Group, which was formed in June 2000 after GUS acquired Argos in 1998 and combined it with its mail order business.

In 2002, Argos Retail Group acquired Homebase for £900 million, and in 2005, it bought 33 stores from Index, converting them to the Argos format.

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Predecessor (2000-2006)

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In June 2000, GUS plc formed Argos Retail Group (ARG) by combining Argos with its mail order business.

GUS acquired Argos in April 1998, making it a key part of the new group.

The company went on to acquire Homebase in November 2002 for £900 million, bringing it into ARG.

In June 2005, GUS bought thirty-three stores of Index, which were subsequently converted to the Argos format.

This marked a significant expansion of the Argos brand, with more stores opening under the familiar format.

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(2007–2016)

Home Retail Group was renamed from Argos Retail Group after its demerger in July 2006 from GUS.

Shares in Home Retail Group were traded on the London Stock Exchange from 11 October 2006.

The group bought twenty seven stores from Focus DIY in October 2007 and converted them to the Homebase format.

In June 2011, Home Retail Group acquired the exclusive rights to the Habitat brand, its designs, and intellectual property in the UK and Ireland, along with three London stores and its website.

The group rejected a £1 billion takeover proposal from Sainsbury's in November 2015.

Homebase was sold to Wesfarmers, an Australian retailer, for £340 million in January 2016, subject to shareholder approval.

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Operations and Structure

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Home Retail Group operated in a significant number of stores across the UK and Ireland. They had a presence in over eight hundred stores.

Their businesses, Argos and Habitat, were key components of the group's operations.

Sainsbury's takeover (2016)

Sainsbury's takeover of Home Retail Group in 2016 was a significant event in the retail industry. The takeover was announced in February 2016, with Sainsbury's submitting a revised offer of £1.3 billion.

Sainsbury's had previously expressed interest in acquiring Home Retail Group, which owned popular brands such as Argos and Homebase. Home Retail Group's shares surged by 25% following the announcement, while Sainsbury's shares fell 5%.

The takeover deal was completed on September 2, 2016, after Steinhoff International abandoned its rival bid. Sainsbury's acquired Home Retail Group for £1.4 billion, marking a significant expansion of its operations.

Here are some key dates related to the takeover:

  • February 2, 2016: Sainsbury's submits a revised offer of £1.3 billion.
  • February 19, 2016: Steinhoff International submits a rival bid of £1.4 billion.
  • March 18, 2016: Steinhoff International abandons its bid.
  • April 1, 2016: Sainsbury's submits a formal bid of £1.4 billion.
  • September 2, 2016: The takeover deal is completed.

The takeover marked a significant shift in the retail landscape, with Sainsbury's expanding its operations into new areas.

Operations

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Home Retail Group's businesses operated in a significant number of locations across the UK and Ireland.

The company's Argos and Habitat stores were spread across over eight hundred stores in these regions.

This extensive network allowed Home Retail Group to reach a large customer base and provide convenient shopping experiences for its customers.

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PLC CEO

The CEO of Home Retail Group PLC is Christian Petrovich. He's the one in charge of making key decisions for the company.

As we've learned, Home Retail Group PLC has a clear leadership structure, which is essential for its operations.

Plc Employment Numbers

Home Retail Group PLC employs a total of 2,380 people, which gives you an idea of the company's workforce size.

The exact number of employees is a key indicator of a company's operational scale, and in this case, it's relatively modest compared to larger retailers.

Home Retail Group PLC has a clear structure in place, with a defined number of employees working towards a common goal.

What Is The NAICS Code For PLC?

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The NAICS code is a crucial piece of information for businesses, and it's essential to know how it's used for PLCs. The NAICS code for Home Retail Group PLC is 44, 444, 453, and 45.

Having a clear understanding of the NAICS code can help you navigate the business world with ease. It's a six-digit code that categorizes businesses by their industry and type.

In the case of Home Retail Group PLC, the NAICS code is a combination of codes that reflect its business activities. For example, code 44 represents the retail trade industry.

Knowing the NAICS code can also help you identify potential partners or suppliers. By understanding the code, you can find businesses that operate within the same industry and type.

Home Retail Group PLC's NAICS code is a unique combination of codes that reflect its business operations.

Financial Information

The Home Retail Group's financial performance is a story of ups and downs. The group's turnover has fluctuated over the years, ranging from £5,475.4 million in 2013 to £6,022.7 million in 2010.

Here's a breakdown of the group's financial performance over the years:

In 2015, the group's sales increased by 1% to £5,710m, with like-for-like sales up 0.6% at Argos, and up 2.3% at Homebase.

News and Events

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Home Retail Group has made significant strides in terms of sustainability, with a goal to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2025.

The company has taken steps to achieve this goal, including investing in renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency in its stores.

Home Retail Group has a strong online presence, with its website receiving over 100 million visits annually.

Its Argos business is particularly successful, with over 80% of the UK's population living within 10 miles of an Argos store.

The company has a large customer base, with over 30 million active customers across its brands.

Home Retail Group has a strong commitment to community engagement, with a focus on supporting local charities and initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are in the Home Retail Group?

The Home Retail Group owns several well-known brands, including Alba, Bush, and Habitat. These brands are part of a larger portfolio that also includes Chad Valley, Challenger, and others.

How do I contact the Home Retail Group?

To contact the Home Retail Group, you can reach out to them at +44 0345 640 0700 or email [email protected]. Their headquarters is located at Royal Avenue, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 1AP.

Who is Argos owned by?

Argos is owned by Sainsbury's, a leading UK supermarket chain, acquired in 2016. This partnership allows Argos to continue delivering value and convenience to its customers.

Emily Hilll

Writer

Emily Hill is a versatile writer with a passion for creating engaging content on a wide range of topics. Her expertise spans across various categories, including finance and investing. Emily's writing career has taken off with the publication of her informative articles on investing in Indian ETFs, showcasing her ability to break down complex subjects into accessible and easy-to-understand pieces.

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