Irish technology retailer Compu b acquires UK retailer Stormfront creating the UK & Ireland’s largest independent Apple Reseller and Service provider

This article is brought to you by Retail Technology Review: Irish technology retailer Compu b acquires UK retailer Stormfront creating the UK & Ireland’s largest independent Apple Reseller and Service provider.

Compu b, part of the B.ICONIC group, has agreed to acquire Professional Reseller Group Ltd which includes Stormfront Retail Ltd and Stormfront Technology Ltd. 

This strategic and significant acquisition will see Compu b adding Stormfront’s 23 Apple Premium Reseller stores, Employee Benefits services, Business Sales division and service provider operations to its existing portfolio of seven stores and sales departments in Ireland and the UK. The deal will make the combined group the largest Apple Retail, Business, Employee Benefits and Education partner in UK and Ireland.

Stormfront is the UK’s largest Apple Premium Reseller with over 2 million customers visiting annually. Having opened its first store in 2007, the retailer now has 23 retail stores and a leading Employee Benefits and Business sales division. Stormfront is also one of the UK’s largest Apple Authorised Service Providers, handling over 70,000 repairs in 2018. Stormfront employs over 300 people across its network. 

Compu b is part of the B.ICONIC group, an Irish owned and operated premium technology group, employing over 250 people across 20 locations in the UK and Ireland. Representing over 100 global technology brands including Apple, Bang & Olufsen, and Go Pro, the annual group turnover of B.ICONIC for the 2018 financial year was €150 million. The acquisition deal is expected to contribute an additional €60 million in revenue annually to the turnover of B.ICONIC Group. 

Ciaran McCormack, Group Chief Executive Officer of B.ICONIC, commented on the acquisition: “This is a landmark acquisition for the B.ICONIC Group. The UK is an important market for our business, and this deal allows us to grow our presence significantly in this market. Stormfront complements our existing Apple Premium Reseller, business-to-business and education technology offering in the UK and Ireland, expanding our opportunities and supporting the delivery of our strategic growth plan for our business.”

Mike Fleming, Chief Executive Officer of Stormfront, said: “After opening our first store in 2007, Stormfront became the UK’s largest APR within 5 years, with stores from the heart of Cornwall to the top of Scotland.  I’ve been fortunate to work with an incredible team over the past 10 years, and I’m proud of the company we have created, including accolades such as twice being recognised in the top ten fastest growing UK companies in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100.  I’m therefore excited for this next new chapter for Stormfront and the possibilities it presents as we join forces with Compu b.”