Since being bought by Wesfarmers, DIY retailer Homebase has reported an increase of 7.5% in sales.
Having purchased the company in February this year for £340 million, the Australian retail business has since invested £60 million into what it called Homebase’s “poor and confusing offer”.
Head of Wesfarmers’, John Gillam, said: “The offer is now very firmly focused on the home improvement and garden market.”
Future plans are to convert Homebase stores into the successful DIY outlet Bunnings, with plans to open four to six test stores across the UK by the end of June 2017.
Wesfarmers have cut almost 20% of the original senior staff at Homebase and has replaced it with senior members of Bunnings, bringing in veteran Bunnings member Peter Davis to head up the new investment. They have also bought in ex Asda boss Archie Norman who has been appointed to three boards to guide Bunnings in the UK.
