2011The iconic Habitat brand, including its transactional website and three London stores, was bought by Home Retail Group. Habitat was launched in 1964 and has constantly challenged the way we think about our living space. 2006Home Retail Group was launched following its demerger from GUS plc. At launch, it comprised Argos, Homebase and Financial Services, but the acquisition of Habitat UK gives the Group three distinct retail brands with over 1,000 stores, three transactional websites, two mobile shopping apps and the UK's biggest home-delivery operation, making Home Retail Group the UK's leading multi-channel retailer.2002Homebase, which had grown rapidly to become the UK’s second largest DIY retailer, was acquired by GUS plc. It is now one of the UK’s leading home enhancement retailer, with a clearly differentiated and comprehensive offer. The range overlap with Argos drives both scale economies in buying and the benefit from significant synergies in operating the two businesses. The acquisition of the Homebase business also brought a different customer demographic to the Group.2000Financial Services was formed, offering a range of credit and insurance products to make it easy for customers to buy the products they want and maximise the profit from the transaction.1998Argos was purchased by home shopping giant, GUS plc, in April. At the time, Argos was primarily a single-channel retailer with a chain of 435 stores, selling a smaller range of general merchandise. Its core categories were jewellery, toys, electricals and housewares.1981The first two Homebase stores opened, in Croydon and Leeds, on 3 March. Since then, Homebase has grown to become one of the UK's leading home enhancement retailers.1973The first 17 Argos stores opened on 21 July. As the UK's first catalogue retailer, Argos introduced a new concept in shopping to the high street.1964Sir Terence Conran opened the first Habitat store, bringing contemporary design at affordable prices to the UK.www.homeretailgroup.com/about-us/our-story/
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