// The Range founder is on a mission to fill stores left empty by big retail names such as John Lewis and Debenhams
// The variety retailer plans to open 21 new stores this year and has snapped up former John Lewis, Debenhams, Homebase, Matalan and Outfit sites
The Range founder, self-made billionaire Chris Dawson, has set his sights on snapping up stores left empty by what the business termed “the darlings” of the high street, including John Lewis.
The retailer, which now has 203 stores across the UK, said Dawson was “on a mission to take possession of other vacant retail real estate”.
It set out plans as The Range opened in the former John Lewis at Home store at Ashford, which the department store revealed it would close in June last year.
The Range has also recently acquired stores vacated by Debenhams in Bury, Homebase in Blackpool, Matalan in Banbury and Arcadia’s Outfit in Great Yarmouth. According to data from PWC, more than 17,000 chain store outlets closed across Britain last year.
The Range has increased its store count by 9% in its 2021/22 financial year and plans to add a further 21 store openings this year.
Dawson, who left school at the age of 15 and started his career working as a market trader, has built The Range into one of the most successful retailers in the UK.
Sales are on track to hit £1.8 billion by the end of 2022. In its 2020/21 financial year, sales surged 35% year-on-year and online revenue rocketed 69%.
Dawson owns a helicopter and a Rolls Royce with the number plate ‘DE11 Boy’.
READ MORE: John Lewis boss: No more store closures despite soaring online sales
The Range chief executive Alex Simpkin said: “It’s been a busy year already for The Range, as we look to build on our already successful growth in the UK and continue to win over customers, who may previously have overlooked our offer in favour of the likes of John Lewis or M&S.”
“With the cost of living pressures and inflation starting to bite, we know that great products, that are high value, quality and affordable are of paramount importance right now.
“As a result, we have recently significantly increased the amount of price sensitive products we offer under one roof; as well as the on and offline customer shopping experience and we know from feedback that many new customers are discovering us as a result.”
The variety store sells over 80,000 products across 20 departments including DIY goods, kitchens, furniture, arts & crafts, pet products and outdoor living. The Range also formed a strategic alliance with Iceland in 2018 with almost 100 branches selling the frozen food retailer’s offer.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
