Q&A: Does Bathstore Franchise in the UK?

If you’re a sales-oriented person, and maybe even a lover of a good bath, a Bathstore franchise in the thriving retail sector might be right up your street. Bathstore accessories and Bathstore brands are highly popular, but are there still Bathstore franchise opportunities available in the UK after the company was acquired by Homebase in 2019?

The retail sector is an undeniably thriving and popular one, with plenty of room for profit. To give you a tiny idea: The total value of UK retail sales in 2020 was £403 billion [Retail Economics]. But is that profit something you’ll be able to attain with a Bathstore franchise, in particular? Now that Bathstore is a Homebase brand, can you still become a franchisee? Find out below.

Does Bathstore franchise in the UK?

No, Bathstore doesn’t franchise in the UK anymore. Known for years to be the UK’s largest and leading bathroom specialist, the Bathstore company unfortunately went into administration in June 2019. At this point, Homebase stepped in to take control of 44 of the company’s 135 stores, and in 2021, some of these Bathstores remain - as do many Bathstore concessions within wider Homebase stores.

Exploring Bathstore’s history, from founding to administration

Bathstore was founded back in the 1990s by Patrick Riley and Nico de Beer, who wanted to bring high-quality, design-focused bathrooms to a wider audience in the retail space. For decades, they did exactly this, but after an acquisition and a sale in 2012 and 2014 respectively, Bathstore eventually went into administration in 2019. 

At the time, BDO business restructuring partner Ryan Grant said, “Despite significant investment into the business over the past five years, Bathstore has struggled to overcome the well-documented challenges facing the UK retail sector. The appointment was made after several months of difficult trading, and the failure of ongoing talks to find a buyer for the business.  Bathstore is continuing to trade in administration, whilst the administrators seek a buyer.”

This buyer was found in Homebase, as mentioned above, and many jobs (though not all of them) were saved when the home improvement retailer took over 44 Bathstore locations. Over the year and a half that followed, Homebase also rolled out many Bathstore concession sections within its own stores.

We are absolutely delighted to welcome Bathstore into the Homebase family. With a reputation for quality service and excellent products, Bathstore complements Homebase’s reinvigorated range.
- Damian McGloughlin, Homebase

Start a franchise in the retail industry 

Launching a Bathstore franchise might not be an option anymore now that the brand has been subsumed into Homebase, but listen up: If making a career change with a retail franchise feels like the right professional path for you, there are still plenty of other thriving franchise opportunities to consider in the retail industry. Opportunities that’ll give you just as much room to advise, negotiate and sell to your customer base. Here are just a few...

1. Signorini Tartufi

Signorini Tartufi is an innovative, fast-expanding seller of truffle products with over 30 boutiques across the globe. The franchise was founded by Frédéric Dubois Signorini, and he’s proud to be giving everyone the luxurious taste of truffles at fair and affordable prices.

• Becoming a Signorini Tartufi franchisee: You won’t need specific industry experience, but you will need management experience and plenty of business acumen, alongside plenty of dedication, dynamism and excitement to get started. 
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £30,000, with franchise fees of £15,000 and a total investment cost of £90,000 (plus operating and advertising fees).
• What you get for your investment: Every franchisee spends a day in an existing boutique to get a feel for the franchise, followed by a week training in an existing boutique (covering everything from products to sales to the Signorini brand).

2. Post & Packing

Post & Packing is a post shop offering customers a vast range of postal services, including archiving services, courier services, fulfilment services and more. Founded in 2012, the retail franchise has grown steadily, and now has 11 different franchise locations across the UK.

• Becoming a Post & Packing franchisee: Knowledge of the postal industry would be beneficial, but isn’t essential. Beyond this, you should be dedicated, committed and ready to take the growth of your Post & Packing franchise as far as you can.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £35,000, with a total investment cost of £50,000 and operating, advertising and royalty fees (each ranging between £150-995 per month based on various factors).
• What you get for your investment: You’ll be inducted and trained on every aspect of the business, including marketing, sales and operations. You’ll then have access to all the ongoing support you need when up and running as a Post & Packing franchisee.

3. Apollo Blinds

Apollo Blinds is a leading UK retailer, selling customers across the country blinds, shutters and awnings. A vast range of quality options and designs are available through Apollo Blinds, and the network is now over 50 franchisees strong.

• Becoming an Apollo Blinds franchisee: You don’t need any specific industry experience, but you will need the right amount of capital and the right amount of dedication to the work you’ll do as an Apollo Blinds franchisee.
• How much you need to invest: You’ll need to make a minimum initial investment of £20,000.
• What you get for your investment: You’ll be supported by head office, a support team, area managers, product trainers and a marketing team, all handling different areas/queries and all available to help you sail smoothly through your launch.

Enjoy all the profits and pros of running your own business with a thriving retail franchise

For more support launching and growing your retail franchise, achieving profitability in no time at all, stay on Point Franchise. Check out five tips for building a successful business plan for your retail franchise, four tips for running your retail franchise efficiently and five tips for marketing your retail franchise effectively.