CDS Superstores Secures New £190m Facility to Accelerate Growth

• New financing strengthens investment in stores, technology, AI and customer experience as CDS Superstores continues nationwide expansion.

CDS Superstores, the parent company of The Range, wilko, Homebase & Bathstore, has secured a new £190 million Asset-Based Revolving Credit Facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance (alongside participant banks HSBC and Citi), significantly increasing the Group's financial flexibility as it continues one of the UK's most ambitious retail transformation programmes.

The new facility, which is more than double the size of the Group's previous arrangement, provides additional working capital to support continued investment across its nationwide store estate, digital capabilities, technology infrastructure and supply chain, while strengthening the business for long-term growth.

The announcement follows a sustained period of investment across the Group, including the successful conversion of former Homebase stores into new format The Range Superstores, preserving more than 1,600 jobs, alongside the continued rollout of Garden Centre by Homebase, Kitchens by Homebase and Bathstore concepts.

Most recently, CDS Superstores has expanded its physical footprint with new store openings in Upton and Alnwick, with further investment planned in new store formats and locations as the business continues to evolve its multi-brand retail proposition.

Alongside its retail expansion, CDS Superstores has continued to invest heavily in technology designed to improve the customer experience wherever and however people choose to shop. Recent milestones include bringing its national distribution network in-house, the launch of its enhanced online marketplace in partnership with Mirakl, significant AI-led developments including Vertex AI Search to deliver faster, more intuitive product discovery, and an expanded strategic relationship with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to strengthen the Group's digital infrastructure and accelerate innovation across the business.

These investments reflect CDS Superstores' long-term strategy of combining market-leading value with greater convenience, choice and seamless shopping experiences across its physical and digital channels.

Commenting on the facility, Jamie Messham, Chief Financial Officer, CDS Superstores said; "This new facility is more than double our previous arrangement and provides significant financial flexibility as we continue investing across every part of the business.”

Alex Simpkin, CEO at CDS Superstores, adds; "Everything we do is focused on giving customers more of what they want, where they want it and when they want it. This facility gives us the confidence and flexibility to continue investing at pace while maintaining the value, choice and convenience our customers expect.

"We appreciate the support and expertise demonstrated by Wells Fargo Capital Finance throughout the process and look forward to building on this successful partnership."

The financing is secured against the Group's inventory base and has been designed to provide scalable funding aligned with operational requirements across the business, supporting seasonal trading, continued investment and future growth opportunities.

The agreement reflects the continued strength of CDS Superstores' market position, its growing national retail footprint and its commitment to investing for the long term as consumer shopping habits continue to evolve.

Over the past year, CDS Superstores has been recognised for its pace of transformation, combining strategic acquisitions, major investment in technology and infrastructure, and rapid store expansion to create one of the UK's fastest-growing multi-channel retail groups.

Source : CDS Superstores

Image : CDS Superstores

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