Legendary UK retailer set to return 13 years after collapsing into administration and shutting 240 stores
A LEGENDARY UK retailer is set to make a stunning comeback more than a decade after shuttering its stores.
Electricals retailer Comet ceased operations in 2012 but has been snapped up by online marketplace OnBuy.
The latter confirmed to The Sun that the chain would relaunch in either September or October, and definitely before Christmas following a mammoth £10million investment.
It will stock thousands of products from a selection of flagship brands including Apple, Samsung, Sony and LG.
The brand won't be returning to the high street, though - it will all be online.
It is estimated that between 50 and 60 jobs will be created following what Cas Paton, founder and CEO of OnBuy, has described as a "significant launch".
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He added that he wants to "bring Comet back to its former glory in a modern world" and that the store has "nostalgic value" for British punters.
Paton added: "Comet is a brand long associated with offering the very best deals in home appliances and consumer electronics.
"Its heritage is one that we want to protect and enhance using our innovative technology and business model."
Comet was founded in Hull in 1933 and grew from selling batteries and radios into a nationwide electrical giant.
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It earned its place as a household name, offering deals on TV, washing machines and home appliances.
However it later faced financial troubles and fell into administration in 2012.
Its collapse was one of the biggest retail failures of the time, with thousands of staff losing their jobs and many shoppers left disappointed.
What is OnBuy?
OnBuy is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce marketplaces in the world.
The company boasts a range of over 35million products while offering big savings for customers.
It prides itself on being a fair and transparent business that puts buyers and sellers first.
When was OnBuy created?
The UK Dorset-based online shopping platform, OnBuy was launched by Cas Paton in November 2016.
Speaking about the founding OnBuy, Paton told the in July 2023: "I’ve been involved in web development since I was a teenager and started my first company while studying at university.
"Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood, and I set up my first business at the age of 21.
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"I’ve had other ventures along the way, but in 2016 I founded OnBuy and decided to dedicate all my time, effort, and money into making it a success.
"It’s been quite a journey and recently OnBuy was recognised as “Europe’s fastest-growing ecommerce business” by the Financial Times."