Bunnings#House brands

File:Bunnings Warehouse.jpg. Being a former Hardwarehouse store, the building retains the trademark device of three columns topped by coloured balls.]]

In 1886, brothers Arthur and Robert Bunning left London to settle in Perth, and soon gained a government building contract, which led to the founding of a group of building companies which later became Bunning Bros Pty Ltd. They purchased their first sawmill the following year in the south west of Western Australia,"Arthur and Robert Bunning migrated from London to Perth in 1886 and in 1887 they purchased their first sawmill in the south-west of Western Australia, marking the formation of Bunning Brothers Limited. They purchased several more sawmills throughout Western Australia.": Battye Library, MN 2701, Bunnings Limited records, ACC 7471A and over the next few years, they concentrated more on sawmilling and timber distribution and less on building.{{cite web |title=Bunnings History |url=https://www.bunnings.com.au/about-us/our-history |access-date=21 February 2008 |publisher=Bunnings |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624001704/https://www.bunnings.com.au/about-us/our-history |url-status=live }}

In 1928, Robert Bunning's sons Charles and Tom began working in the business, eventually becoming directors after their father's death in 1936; Charles was a qualified engineer and Tom a chartered accountant. The company secured several major contracts in the 1930s, including for timber fittings on major Perth buildings, timber supply contracts on the Eastern Goldfields, and railway sleeper contracts in Ceylon and South Africa. Further expansion occurred during World War II, where Bunnings co-operated with its rival Millars, and in the post-war period which saw the creation of a workshop in Manjimup and timber mills in south-west Western Australia and north Queensland.{{cite news|url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/bunning-charles-robert-27603/text34998|title=Charles Robert Bunning (1905–1994)|work=Australian Dictionary of Biography|year=2021|volume=19|first=Kylie|last=Carman-Brown}}

In 1952, Bunnings became a public company, Bunning Timber Holdings Pty Ltd, expanding into retailing and purchasing several hardware stores. Charles and Tom Bunning became joint managing directors in 1956, with Charles becoming chairman two years later. In 1970, Bunnings bought the merchandising and sawmilling operations of Hawker Siddeley, which "almost doubled the size of the company". In 1983, it bought out Millars and, in 1990, the Alco Handyman hardware operations.[https://www.afr.com/politics/takeover-threatens-timber-giant-19870924-k2eb0 Takeover Threatens Timber Giant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805094431/https://www.afr.com/politics/takeover-threatens-timber-giant-19870924-k2eb0 |date=5 August 2021 }} Australian Financial Review 24 September 1987 In 1993, Bunnings bought a company that operated Harry's and Lloyd's in South Australia, Campbell's in Queensland, and McEwans in Victoria and New South Wales. (This company had been spun off from Harris Scarfe in 1989.) Many of the stores acquired were subsequently closed, with only the best-performing sites being retained.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}}

File:Bunnings Warehouse Wagga Wagga interior.jpg

Bunnings Limited was bought out by Wesfarmers in 1994 for $600 million (equivalent to ${{Inflation|AU|0.6|1994|r=2}} billion in {{Inflation/year|AU}}).[https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118292240 Regrouped Wesfarmers moves to enhance profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020011209/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/118292240 |date=20 October 2021 }} Canberra Times 18 October 1994 page 21 In late-1995, the 'Red Hammer' symbol was introduced and is still in use today. In June 1996, the company's trademark slogan "Lowest Prices Are Just The Beginning" was introduced. In February 2020, the company discontinued the use of the slogan in Australia. New Zealand ads and stores continue to use the slogan at present.{{cite web|title=Bunnings drops iconic 'lowest prices' slogan|url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/bunnings-drops-famous-lowest-prices-slogan-but-diy-giant-reassures-customers/a4a40edc-0622-4615-9a57-ff78fcfab231|access-date=2020-07-21|website=www.9news.com.au|date=14 February 2020|archive-date=22 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722041849/https://www.9news.com.au/national/bunnings-drops-famous-lowest-prices-slogan-but-diy-giant-reassures-customers/a4a40edc-0622-4615-9a57-ff78fcfab231|url-status=live}}

After the acquisition, the first Bunnings Warehouse was opened on August 24, 1994, in the Melbourne suburb of Sunshine.{{cite web |title=Wesfarmers > Bunnings |url=https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/our-businesses/bunnings |website=Wesfarmers |access-date=23 October 2024}} Present at the official opening were the Victorian premier Jeff Kennett, American actor Richard Karn{{citation needed|date=September 2023}} who played Al Borland on the television sitcom Home Improvement, and Joe Boros, the managing director of Bunnings.{{cite web |title=Bunnings Warehouse Sunshine |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/86792135@N04/9979382523 |website=Flickr |date=28 September 2013 |access-date=23 October 2024}}

This was quickly followed by the opening of three more Bunnings Warehouse stores in Melbourne. Since then, new stores have been opened across Australia approximately every three months on average.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} Development in Sydney and Brisbane proved more difficult than in other areas, as large blocks of land in the metropolitan area were limited.{{Citation needed|date=October 2007}}

In 1997, the remaining smaller-format McEwans stores were renamed as Bunnings stores.

File:Bunnigs Warehouse in Shirley, Christchurch, New Zealand.jpg]]

In August 2001, Wesfarmers bought the Howard Smith Group, including BBC Hardware (previously Nock & Kirby) and big-box offshoot Hardwarehouse. This supplemented the Bunnings national network by several dozen stores, many of them large Hardwarehouse stores in Sydney, Brisbane and New Zealand. Hardwarehouse had been dominant in New South Wales and Queensland, but the purchase complemented Bunnings' prior domination in Victoria, where Hardwarehouse had only seven stores to Bunnings' twenty at the time of the buy-out. At the time of purchase, the market leader was Mitre 10 with a 12% market share, but the inclusion of the Hardwarehouse and BBC Hardware stores brought Bunnings market share to 13.5%.[http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-45197303.html Bunnings BBC marriage could kill off traditional hardware stores]{{dead link|date=February 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Hardwarehouse and BBC Hardware stores retained their branding for a year, while television advertisements were tagged with each of Bunnings Warehouse, Hardwarehouse and BBC Hardware during this transition period. Lower-volume stores were closed and, in 2002, the remaining Hardwarehouses were renamed Bunnings Warehouse.

The Howard Smith Group purchase also included Benchmark Building Supplies, a New Zealand chain of 32 stores, including nine Auckland stores. These were also closed or rebranded as Bunnings by 2003.{{cite news |last1=McIlwraith |first1=Ian |title=Will the Lord stay with the baby? |url=https://www.afr.com/politics/will-lord-stay-with-the-baby-19900122-k3r8m |agency=Australian Financial Review |date=22 January 1990 |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204104551/https://www.afr.com/politics/will-lord-stay-with-the-baby-19900122-k3r8m |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=BBC HARDWARE (NZ) LIMITED |url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/nz/864876 |website=opencorporates.com |publisher=Open Corporates |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204082524/https://opencorporates.com/companies/nz/864876 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Bingham |first1=Eugene |title=Retailers jostle for the DIY dollar |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/retailers-jostle-for-the-diy-dollar/WEOEO2KZLSW56W5J4XTRHPNDBQ/ |agency=New Zealand Herald |publisher=Wilson & Horton |date=24 October 2003 |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=5 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205040028/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/retailers-jostle-for-the-diy-dollar/WEOEO2KZLSW56W5J4XTRHPNDBQ/ |url-status=live }} Until then, Bunnings had just three New Zealand stores.{{cite news |title=Building Depot Staff Face Uncertainty |url=http://www.sharechat.co.nz/article/d2a892b6/building-depot-staff-face-uncertainty.html |agency=NZPA |publisher=sharechat.co.nz |date=15 November 2002 |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204221609/http://www.sharechat.co.nz/article/d2a892b6/building-depot-staff-face-uncertainty.html |url-status=live }} By 2008, it had 14 large warehouse stores in the country.{{cite news |last1=Bradley |first1=Grant |title=Battle of the giant hardware barns |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/battle-of-the-giant-hardware-barns/PJNGPOPI6ZWZVOQI6WFZSOSB2A/ |agency=New Zealand Herald |publisher=APN News & Media |date=5 January 2008 |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=4 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204070557/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/battle-of-the-giant-hardware-barns/PJNGPOPI6ZWZVOQI6WFZSOSB2A/ |url-status=live }}

From 2004 to 2008, Bunnings purchased and re-branded Mitre 10 stores in Griffith, Kempsey, Randwick and Wodonga, Magnet Mart in Griffith and a Mitre 10 Mega store in Modbury. In 2008 the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) looked into its acquisitions of five Mitre 10 stores, as it deemed the purchases would be anti-competitive. In February 2009, the ACCC allowed the purchases, finding that the acquisition of the Mitre 10 stores did not significantly alter the level of competition in the relevant market.[http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/860213/fromItemId/751043 Bunnings Group – acquisition of five Mitre 10 stores] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528094820/http://www.accc.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/860213/fromItemId/751043 |date=28 May 2010 }} Australian Competition & Consumer Commission

Over time, some smaller-format Bunnings stores have gradually been closed. However, six new stores were opened in Victoria in 2015, mainly in smaller regional markets and inner-suburban areas.{{cite news|title=Costco and Woolies drive big box format|url=http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2010/12/28/costco-and-woolies-drive-big-box-format.html|publisher=Australian Food News|date=28 December 2010|access-date=6 May 2011|archive-date=7 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307030550/http://www.ausfoodnews.com.au/2010/12/28/costco-and-woolies-drive-big-box-format.html|url-status=live}}

Michael Schneider was appointed managing director, Bunnings Group in May 2017 following his appointment as managing director, Bunnings Australia & New Zealand in March 2016.{{Cite web |title=Michael Schneider |url=https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/who-we-are/leadership-team/profile/michael-schneider |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=www.wesfarmers.com.au |archive-date=12 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220312234358/https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/who-we-are/leadership-team/profile/michael-schneider |url-status=live }}

File:Tool Kit Depot, Belmont.jpg, Western Australia]]

In October 2019, Bunnings acquired specialist tool retailer Adelaide Tools.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Simon |date=2019-10-11 |title=Hardware giant Bunnings buys Adelaide Tools |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/hardware-giant-bunnings-buys-adelaide-tools-20191011-p52zsa |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}} At the time, the business had five retail outlets, a mower centre and an online store.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Simon |date=2020-03-30 |title=ACCC green light for Bunnings' buy of Adelaide Tools |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/accc-green-light-for-bunnings-buy-of-adelaide-tools-20200331-p54fiz |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}} The business was rebranded as Tool Kit Depot.{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Dean |date=2021-09-14 |title=Adelaide Tools rebrands ahead of expansion out of South Australia |url=https://insideretail.com.au/business/adelaide-tools-rebranded-ahead-of-expansion-out-of-south-australia-202109 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Inside Retail Australia |language=en-US}}

In mid-May 2020, Bunnings announced it would close seven stores in New Zealand in Ashburton, Hornby, Hastings, Cambridge, Rangiora, Te Awamutu, and Putāruru with the loss of 145 jobs as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite news |last1=Gibson |first1=Anne |title=Bunnings to shut seven NZ stores, 145 staff affected |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12331340 |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512090836/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12331340|archive-date=12 May 2020}}{{cite news |title=Bunnings to close seven NZ stores, with 145 job cuts |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/416450/bunnings-to-close-seven-nz-stores-with-145-job-cuts |access-date=12 May 2020 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=12 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512092649/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/416450/bunnings-to-close-seven-nz-stores-with-145-job-cuts |archive-date=12 May 2020}} This left Bunnings with 41 New Zealand stores, including 12 in Auckland.{{cite web |title=Bunnings Warehouse |url=https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ |website=bunnings.co.nz |publisher=Wesfarmers |access-date=7 February 2022 |archive-date=1 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201110755/https://www.bunnings.co.nz/ |url-status=live }}

File:Bunnings-Burnie-20150207-002.jpg]]

In Australia, Bunnings unsuccessfully lobbied the Victorian state government to exempt its 168 stores from closure during the second Melbourne lockdown.{{cite news |title=Bunnings owner pushes for shutdown exemption as 168 stores set to close |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/bunnings-owner-pushes-for-shutdown-exemption-as-168-stores-set-to-close-20200804-p55ial.html |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=4 August 2020 |archive-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501114758/https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/bunnings-owner-pushes-for-shutdown-exemption-as-168-stores-set-to-close-20200804-p55ial.html |url-status=live }} However the company was allowed to continue fulfilling online orders, and subsequently its online business expanded and grew due to continuing demand despite various periods of restrictions around the country.{{cite news |title=Bunnings crowned best Australian online retailer |url=https://thewest.com.au/business/retail/bunnings-crowned-best-australian-online-retailer-c-2722450 |access-date=1 May 2021 |work=The West |date=30 April 2021 |archive-date=1 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501114800/https://thewest.com.au/business/retail/bunnings-crowned-best-australian-online-retailer-c-2722450 |url-status=live }}

In April 2021, Bunnings announced it would acquire tile retailer Beaumont Tiles.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Simon |date=2021-04-28 |title=Hardware giant Bunnings buys Beaumont Tiles |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/hardware-giant-bunnings-buys-beaumont-tiles-20210428-p57n7w |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}} The ACCC ruled that the purchase of Beaumont Tiles outlets would not reduce competition as Bunnings was not currently in the field in a big way. Bunnings has said it will continue to run Beaumont Tiles the way it has been and with the same management team.{{Cite web |last=Blake |first=Dean |date=2021-09-30 |title=Bunnings' acquisition of Beaumont Tiles gets ACCC approval |url=https://insideretail.com.au/business/bunnings-acquisition-of-beaumont-tiles-gets-accc-approval-202109 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Inside Retail Australia |language=en-US}}

In November 2021, both Bunnings and Officeworks partnered with the Flybuys Loyalty program to allow customers to collect points at both stores.{{cite news |last1=Druce |first1=Alex |title=Shoppers score at Bunnings and Officeworks |url=https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/bunnings-and-officeworks-announce-new-partnership-with-flybuys-just-in-time-for-christmas/news-story/7172eb8dc5c06808f014a4bd7810265d |access-date=17 February 2022 |work=news.com.au |date=9 November 2021 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216222659/https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/bunnings-and-officeworks-announce-new-partnership-with-flybuys-just-in-time-for-christmas/news-story/7172eb8dc5c06808f014a4bd7810265d |url-status=live }} In 2022, Bunnings sought to expand its commercial business by doubling the number of frame and truss processing plants it owns from three to six by 2024.{{Cite news |last=Greenblat |first=Eli |date=2022-04-25 |title=Bunnings plans to double processing plants making wooden frames and trusses for home building |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/retail/bunnings-plans-to-double-processing-plants-making-wooden-frames-and-trusses-for-home-building/news-story/ff6c45b8b5961a34f366ba54a82ace11 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-02-22 |work=The Australian}}{{Cite web |last=Bleby |first=Michael |date=2023-09-06 |title=Bunnings invests $75m in a changing home-build market |url=https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/bunnings-invests-75m-in-a-changing-home-build-market-20230904-p5e1u1 |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}} In 2023, Bunnings expanded its pet care and cleaning product ranges, reflecting the company's repositioning as a home improvement destination.{{Cite web |last=LaFrenz |first=Carrie |date=2023-02-27 |title=Bunnings launches biggest product expansion in decades with pet care |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/bunnings-launches-biggest-expansion-in-decades-20230224-p5cneg |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=Australian Financial Review |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Greenblat |first=Eli |date=2023-11-20 |title=Bunnings to move into $5bn cleaning market with bulk packaged goods to compete with supermarkets |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/retail/bunnings-to-move-into-5bn-cleaning-market-with-bulk-packaged-goods-to-compete-with-supermarkets/news-story/629bdaff5a531004b42f760d38ed5a6e |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-07-05 |work=The Australian}}

File:Bunnings cannington store gn.jpg

In early 2024, Bunnings temporarily rebranded one store in each Australian state and in New Zealand to "Hammerbarn", a fictional hardware shop in the animated television series Bluey. The series' creators were inspired by Bunnings when writing about the fictional shop.{{Cite web |date=2 February 2024 |title=What's behind this Bunnings store's puzzling new rebrand? |url=https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/02/02/whats-behind-this-bunnings-stores-puzzling-new-rebrand/ |access-date=2 February 2024 |website=1News |publisher=TVNZ |language=en-NZ |archive-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240202093355/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/02/02/whats-behind-this-bunnings-stores-puzzling-new-rebrand/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Hammerbarn for real life |url=https://www.bluey.tv/hammerbarn-for-real-life/ |publisher=Bluey TV |access-date=25 February 2024}}{{cite news |title=Bunnings turns stores across Australia into Bluey's Hammerbarn |url=https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/bunnings-turns-stores-across-australia-into-blueys-hammerbarn/news-story/913651983fb01754e94a0d53872afeff |access-date=25 February 2024}}

Since the development of the Bunnings Warehouse stores, three general operational formats exist: Bunnings Small-format Store (SFS), Bunnings Warehouse (WH) and Bunnings Trade Centre (TC). The smaller "Bunnings" stores stock a more limited range of hardware, whereas the larger "Bunnings Warehouses" contain a more comprehensive hardware range and garden supplies, including plants. The big box format accounts for 167 stores of the network of 280.

Bunnings Warehouse offers a variety of additional services, both in-home and in-store.{{cite web |title=Services |url=https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-services |website=Bunnings Warehouse |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=1 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901015946/https://www.bunnings.com.au/our-services |url-status=live }} The in-home services are mainly installations, assembling, quotes and consultancy for multiple products. The in-store services include a hire shop, spare parts enquiry, colour matching, key cutting, pool water testing and gas swapping.

Bunnings also provides gardening, craft, and woodwork do it yourself (DIY) workshops for children in-store, as well as for other groups in schools, nursing homes, and hospitals. The Bunnings staff are available to community groups for assistance with DIY projects.

File:Bunnings Sausage sizzle.jpg of Nelson Bay]]

On weekends (and weekdays at some sites), Bunnings outlets regularly host sausage sizzles and cake stalls for community groups and causes.{{cite web|title = Local Community Support|url = http://www.bunnings.com.au/about-us/in-the-community/local-community-support|website = Bunnings|access-date = 7 February 2016|archive-date = 7 February 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160207195312/http://www.bunnings.com.au/about-us/in-the-community/local-community-support|url-status = live}} It has become an intrinsic part of the Bunnings Warehouse brand, and iconic in Australian culture.{{cite web|title = 49 Thoughts Everyone Has While Shopping at Bunnings|url = https://www.buzzfeed.com/bradesposito/shopping-at-bunnings-warehous#.wvEj5zPXZ|website = BuzzFeed|date = 24 April 2014|access-date = 7 February 2016|archive-date = 3 March 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303053115/http://www.buzzfeed.com/bradesposito/shopping-at-bunnings-warehous#.wvEj5zPXZ|url-status = live}}

In 2024 the Australian Privacy Commission found that Bunnings's use of facial recognition cameras on customers in NSW and Victorian stores from 2018 to 2021 breached Australian privacy laws as they did not obtain consent.{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-11-19/oaic-investigation-into-bunnings-facial-recognition/104613700 |publisher=ABC |title=Bunnings breached privacy laws by using facial recognition on customers, Commissioner finds |first1=Ange |last1=Lavoipierre |date=2024-11-19 |access-date=2025-03-18}}

Bunnings reported AU$16.871 billion in revenue for the fiscal year 2020–2021,{{Cite web |title=2021 Full-year results briefing presentation |url=https://wesfarmers.gcs-web.com/static-files/52017e84-4db5-4ae1-810d-e5f3175ac8c9/?auth_token=f77014b8-a01a-4d5c-a2cb-28689c3d3c5d |access-date=18 March 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014180753/https://wesfarmers.gcs-web.com/static-files/52017e84-4db5-4ae1-810d-e5f3175ac8c9/?auth_token=f77014b8-a01a-4d5c-a2cb-28689c3d3c5d |url-status=live }} which was a 12.5% revenue growth from the 2019–2020 fiscal year, where Bunnings reported AU$14.999 billion in revenue.{{Cite web |title=2020 Full-year results briefing presentation |url=https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/docs/default-source/asx-announcements/2020-full-year-results-briefing-presentation.pdf?sfvrsn=bf5d04bb_0 |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313001918/https://www.wesfarmers.com.au/docs/default-source/asx-announcements/2020-full-year-results-briefing-presentation.pdf?sfvrsn=bf5d04bb_0 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|Homebase}}

File:Bunnings Warehouse Weston super Mare (3 to 1 crop).jpg, a Homebase store converted under Wesfarmers' ownership.]]

In February 2016, Bunnings' parent company Wesfarmers bought the United Kingdom-based hardware chain Homebase for £340 million. The chain's 265 stores in the UK and 15 in Ireland were intended to be rebranded with the Bunnings name within five years.{{cite news|last1=Neilan|first1=Catherine|title=Homebase to be rebranded Bunnings after Wesfarmers completes £340m acquisition from Home Retail Group – now what's happening with Argos?|url=http://www.cityam.com/235594/homebase-to-be-rebranded-bunnings-after-wesfarmers-completes-340m-acquisition-from-home-retail-group-now-whats-happening-with-argos|access-date=29 February 2016|work=City AM|date=29 February 2016|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303015751/http://www.cityam.com/235594/homebase-to-be-rebranded-bunnings-after-wesfarmers-completes-340m-acquisition-from-home-retail-group-now-whats-happening-with-argos|url-status=live}} The first Bunnings store in the UK was opened at the end of January 2017 in St Albans, four months later than planned to ensure the adopted format was suited to the UK public. The company planned to use that store as a test model prior to fine-tuning and expanding in that region. In April 2017, they bought a former B&Q store in Folkestone to be the fifth Bunnings store in the UK.{{cite news|last1=Chessum|first1=Victoria|title=Bunnings Warehouse chain to replace former B&Q site in Folkestone|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/derelict-retail-premises-to-house-124557/|access-date=25 April 2017|work=kentonline.co.uk|date=25 April 2017|archive-date=25 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425120844/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/folkestone/news/derelict-retail-premises-to-house-124557/|url-status=live}}

On 25 May 2018, after mounting losses, Wesfarmers sold the UK and Ireland Bunnings/Homebase operation to Hilco for a nominal sum of £1.{{Cite news|date=2018-05-25|title=Homebase sold for £1 as DIY disaster ends for Wesfarmers|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44248409|access-date=2021-10-16|archive-date=16 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016100312/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44248409|url-status=live}} The 24 stores already rebranded as Bunnings reverted to the Homebase name, with some later closing under an agreed company voluntary arrangement.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44248409 Homebase sold for £1 as DIY disaster ends for Wesfarmers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180724032108/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44248409 |date=24 July 2018 }} BBC News 25 May 2018 The failure of Bunnings in the UK and Ireland has been called "the most disastrous retail acquisition in the UK ever".{{cite web|date=2018-03-30|title='Homebase is the most disastrous retail acquisition in the UK ever'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/30/homebase-is-undoubtedly-the-most-disastrous-retail-acquisition-in-the-uk-ever|access-date=2021-03-12|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-date=12 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112000432/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/30/homebase-is-undoubtedly-the-most-disastrous-retail-acquisition-in-the-uk-ever|url-status=live}}

House brands of Bunnings include:

• Click: Electrical fittings and accessories (Australian and New Zealand)
• Matador: Barbecues and accessories{{Cite web |title=Matador |url=https://www.matadorbbqs.com.au/ |access-date=4 February 2024 |website=Matador |language=en |archive-date=23 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123120101/https://www.matadorbbqs.com.au/ |url-status=live }}
• Saxon: Gardening and landscaping products
• Eiger Electrical: Electrical fittings and accessories (UK and Ireland)

• Charles Bunning, played an early role in the development of Bunnings
• List of oldest companies in Australia

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [http://www.bunnings.com.au/ Bunnings Warehouse home page]
• [http://www.bunnings.co.nz/ Bunnings Warehouse NZ home page]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190105160854/https://www.bunnings.co.uk/ Bunnings Warehouse UK home page]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070829184257/http://www.bunningstrade.com.au/site/ Bunnings Trade home page]
• [http://www.bwptrust.com.au/ Bunnings Property Trust home page]

{{Wesfarmers|state=collapsed}}

{{Retailers in New Zealand}}

Category:Hawker Siddeley

Category:Home improvement companies of Australia

Category:Home improvement companies of New Zealand

Category:Retail companies established in 1952

Category:Wesfarmers

Category:Australian companies established in 1952

Category:1886 establishments in Australia

Category:Companies based in Melbourne

Category:Garden centres

Category:Horticultural companies of Australia

Category:Plant nurseries