Bargain Booze

Bargain Booze
Private
Founded 1981
Headquarters Crewe, Cheshire,
United Kingdom
Area served
 United Kingdom
Products Groceries
Website www.bargainbooze.co.uk
Bargain Booze, Bradford (2009)

Bargain Booze is a chain of off licence stores, that operates in the United Kingdom.[1] Established in 1981, it has since grown to 611 stores,[1] and has opened the Bargain Booze Select Convenience store franchise.[2]

History

The company originates from a wholesale wine and spirits business, founded by Allan Whittle & Robert Mayor.[3] In 1981, they opened their first retail outlet in Sandbach, Cheshire.[4] The first Bargain Booze franchise opened in 1988, and was the first time the "Bargain Booze" fascia was used.[5][6]

In January 2000, Whittle & Mayor sold the company to BWG Foods. In July 2002, BWG was bought out by Electra Partners.[3] A management buyout backed by a private equity firm, ECI Partners, took over the company for £63.5 million in 2006.[7] Until July 2013, ECI remained the majority shareholder, when the company floated on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). With the collapse of First Quench Retailing, whom owned Threshers in November 2010, Bargain Booze became the largest off licence chain in the United Kingdom.[7]

In September 2013, the company acquired the Wine Rack chain, an off licence chain that specialises in retailing wine, with its 22 outlets mostly located in London & South East England.[8] In December 2013, the company launched its first television advertising campaign.[9]

Operations

The chain is owned by Conviviality Retail, which is based in Crewe, and also owns Thorougoods & Wine Rack.[1] Bargain Booze is operated through a franchise model, with around 460 franchisees.[3] The chain is strongest in the North of England, particularly the North West.[10] It is the largest off licence chain in the United Kingdom.[11]

References

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 10/29/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.