UK furniture retailer Bensons for Beds has acquired 19 former Carpetright stores as part of its growth strategy, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported.
The move comes after the flooring specialist collapsed into administration last month, leading to significant job losses and store closures across the UK.
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Bensons aims to reopen the acquired stores under its own brand, creating employment opportunities for ex-Carpetright staff.
The company has outlined plans to increase its national store count from 162 to more than 200 in the coming years.
The acquisition is a strategic move by Bensons to strengthen its market position.
Despite challenging conditions for higher-priced furniture items, the retailer has reported growing market share and returned to profitability in 2023.
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By GlobalDataCarpetright had been hit by the UK’s challenging trading conditions, predominantly attributed to changing consumer preferences and a drop in home improvement spending post-pandemic.
In April 2024, the retailer of carpets and flooring was hit by a cyberattack, which meant customers were unable to place orders through the company’s 400 stores or website for nearly a week.
While rival retailer Tapi acquired a portion of Carpetright’s assets, including 54 stores, the majority of the business was liquidated, resulting in widespread job losses.
PwC, the administrator handling the Carpetright insolvency, welcomed the deal with Bensons, highlighting the potential for job creation.
According to the BBC, PwC joint administrator Rachael Wilkinson said: “We’re pleased to have reached an agreement for the sale of 19 former Carpetright stores to Bensons for Beds, and echo their hopes that the transaction will create future employment opportunities for former Carpetright employees.”
The acquisition of these 19 stores marks a significant expansion for Bensons and is likely to be closely watched by industry observers as a barometer of the wider retail market.
