Gordons advises online retailer Buy It Direct on hot tub and swim spa specialist acquisition
Friday 9th July 2021
Gordons has advised longstanding client online consumer goods retailer Buy It Direct on its acquisition of a hot tub and swim spa specialist.
Founded in 1999 by chief executive Nick Glynne, Buy It Direct Group’s portfolio of brands includes Laptops Direct, Better Bathrooms, Appliances Direct, Servers Direct, Furniture123 and Drones Direct.
Outdoor Living is a retailer of hot tubs, swim spas, saunas and gazebos, selling both Jacuzzi and own-brand products from two showrooms in Hull and Leeds.
Gordons head of corporate, James Fawcett, led a multi-disciplinary team advising on the deal which comprised corporate solicitors Amy Pierechod and Andrew Moore and employment solicitor Alexandra Byrne.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen Buy It Direct’s existing lifestyle offering and provide Outdoor Living with the ability to scale thanks to access to the group’s nationwide infrastructure and expertise in e-commerce, supply chain and logistics.
Founder Paul Margerison and his team of 42 will be remaining at the business to oversee the next chapter of its development.
Nick Glynne, chief executive at Huddersfield-headquartered Buy It Direct Group, said: “We are really pleased to be adding Outdoor Living to our growing lifestyle offering. We were really impressed by Outdoor Living’s customer-focused approach which has seen it become one of the UK’s leading hot tub retailers.
“Outdoor Living’s product range perfectly complements our existing brands and it is very easy to see how our infrastructure, combined with Paul’s ambition, expertise and knowledgeable team, will quickly unlock its full potential.
“Our focus now is to scale the business together, building on its strong supplier relationships and maintaining its excellent reputation for customer service.”
Paul Margerison, founder of Outdoor Living, added: “We have worked hard to become the go-to hot tub retailer in the North, by offering the latest technology at affordable prices and supporting our customers throughout the entire life of their hot tub.
“We’re very excited to become part of the Buy It Direct Group, which will enable us to significantly expand our reach, bringing our high quality products and personal service to even more customers across the UK.”
