Focus DIY
| Industry | DIY |
|---|---|
| Founded | December 1987 |
| Defunct | July 2011 |
Area served | United Kingdom |
| Owner | AHK Designs Ltd (trademarks) |
Focus was a British do-it-yourself and home improvement retailer, founded in 1987.
The retailer grew by acquiring rival retailers such as Payless, Do It All, and Great Mills. Focus also acquired Wickes in 2000. Wickes served the trade-focused market while Focus targeted general DIY consumers. By its peak in 2002, it was the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United Kingdom with 178 stores and over 3,000 employees, behind B&Q.
The decline of Focus DIY began in the mid 2000's when Focus went on to sell the Wickes brand and it's stores to Travis Perkins in 2004/2005 for £950 Million. The company began running losses every year from 2007. In the year up to 2011, the company had a loss of £25 million. Focus entered administration on 5 May 2011, with Ernst & Young appointed as administrators. The administrators sold 55 stores to B&Q, Wickes and B&M to be rebranded. The remaining 123 stores were all closed by 22 July 2011.
The defunct Focus brand is owned by AHK Designs Ltd, who also own the defunct Land of Leather and MFI brands.