Hubo moves to second spot in Belgium

As a consequence of this step, Hubo is now the second largest group in the Belgian DIY retail market and is in a position to further consolidate its leading position. The package taken over from Windis includes 12 DIY store locations together with their managing companies as well as franchise contracts with 13 Superbois and Super Do-it stores. No purchase price has been named.
Superbois and Super Do-it achieved combined sales of just under € 70 mio in 2003, putting them in fifth place among the DIY groups in Belgium. Following the acquisition, Hubo now exceeds the € 250 mio mark and operates more than 90 outlets.
DIY in Europe talked to Erwin Van Osta, managing director of Hubo Belgium, about the effects of the acquisition.
Following the acquisition of Superbois, Hubo now has 90 outlets in Belgium.
What is the significance to Hubo of acquiring Superbois?
First of all it brings us a better and more homogeneous geographical distribution. In future we will have more than 43 outlets in Wallonia and 47 in Flanders. And that means a much improved presence in Wallonia. Secondly, we can considerably upgrade our professional image in the timber and garden categories, since Superbois’ great strength lies in this area. Thirdly, we are overtaking Gamma in terms of sales, with a revised turnover of approx. € 250 mio. And fourthly and last, we are still a 100 per cent Belgian-owned company, which is definitely a strong argument, following the Vendex takeover of Brico and Bricorama’s link-up with Intergamma.
Brico seems quite out of reach with its sales figure of E 450 mio.
Yes, they have excellent locations and the best stores right next to Carrefour, a magnet for consumers with its food range. What is more, the acquisition of the Castorama and Leroy Merlin outlets in Belgium has led to the setting up of the new “Brico Plan-It” format. The first outlet opened on 21 May in Kortrijk, in a former Castorama store. The emphasis here is on a definite expansion of the range of products and services.
Is expanding the variety of products in a store’s assortment a matter of necessity or a trend in the DIY market?
Certainly. There is no stopping the continuous broadening of the range. We are making every effort to achieve expansion through products that are “sector-specific”. The Wallonian administration of Superbois has achieved a strong position with the expansion of its garden range. The question now is how we can best combine this with our product offer, where the focus is more…