ProCook has announced its purchase of Steamer Trading, taking on 27 of the chain’s stores (including Kitchens), its e-commerce and the head office team. Steamer Trading Cookshop and Kitchens will keep their brand identities.
Daniel O’Neill, owner of ProCook stated: “We are delighted to announce this news and see it as a fantastic opportunity for Steamer Trading and ProCook to grow both brands. Our focus will continue to be on providing excellent value for money, great service and innovative high-quality homewares.”
He added, “We are very excited about the future, though because of high rent and rates and the current retail climate we had to make the decision not to take on all the stores. However, we will endeavour to fill all vacancies across our stores by transferring people from closing stores.”
Clare Burgess, previously trading director of Steamer Trading, will now head up the Steamer Trading Cookshop brand. She commented: “While I am sad to say goodbye to some colleagues, I’m excited about the future for Steamer Trading. The new Steamer trading stores will be offering an exciting shopping experience with a great mix of exclusive products alongside iconic kitchen and homeware brands.”
KPMG’s Steve Absolom and Will Wright were appointed as joint administrators for Steamer Trading today as part of the sales process. Nick Holloway, director at KPMG UK, who led the sale, commented: “We are delighted that we have been able to rescue such a long established business including a high proportion of stores and preserve a large number of jobs, especially given the current economic pressures faced by retailers across the UK.”
Ten stores are due to shut, including Steamer Trading’s Glasgow branch.
Meanwhile, Ben Phillips, hitherto creative director of Steamer Trading, has acquired Divertimenti in Knightsbridge.
More on this news will follow in HousewaresNews.net tomorrow.
Top: Steamer Trading’s Beverly store – now one of the 27 branches owned by leading kitchenware retailer, ProCook.
