Purewell Electrical
Purewell Electrical is a family owned independent electrical retail business which was founded in Christchurch, Dorset in the United Kingdom. It's core business is home electronics, including household appliances, and information technology products. The comapany has a 10,000 sq ft superstore in Christchurch, and departments within J E Beale department store in Bournemouth and Poole. They are members of the retra (Radio, Electrical and Televisions Retailer's Association), having signed up to a code of practice that governs their day to day dealings with consumers. Purewell Electrical is a member of Euronics, Europe's largest electrical buying group, which offers the benefit of buying electrical goods in bulk.
History
Purewell Electrical was founded in 1955 by Arthur Griffiths, with their first retail premises in Purewell, Christchurch.
Move to Superstore (2001)
In October 2001, Purewell Electrical relocated from Purewell to Somerford Road, Christchurch, next to the McDonalds restaurant. The building used to be a Booker's cash and carry store, before being redeveloped and split in to 3 units.
Beales Department Store
On the 1st September 2007 Purewell Electrical opened their first department store concessions in the J E Beale department stores in Poole and Bournemouth. The product range within these stores featured a reduced selection of the products available from the main Superstore in Christchurch, selling both household appliances and home technology products. In August 2008, the Bournemouth store no longer stocked household appliances, although a small selection of Robert Bosch GmbH kitchen appliances have since been introduced back in to the store.
Products and Manufacturers
A wide range of electrical products are stocked including televisions, hi fi systems and DVD players and recorders. Blu Ray players and recorders have also been stocked since their UK launches. Home technology products from BOSE, Panasonic,Sony, Philips, Samsung and more.
Philips Product Launch
On Wednesday 17 June 2009, Purewell Electrical hosted an exclusive evening event to PREview the Philips Cinema 21:9 TV, the world's first 21:9 ratio widescreen television.
Future Relocation
Planned Lidl Supermarket
In August 2008 it was announced that the German discount food supermarket, Lidl, were set to take over the Purewell Electrical premises in Christchurch, with the local electrical retail store planning to relocate with the Christchurch area.
Delay in Lidl Plans
It was reported in February 2009 that little ProgresS had been made regarding the proposed opening of a Lidl discount food store. Officers at the Christchurch planning department said that they had not heard anything from Lidl since planning permission was granted for the Christchurch site. This may have been as a result of Aldi signalling their intent to open another discount food store along the same road in Christchurch.
Lidl Revives Purewell Store Plans
On the 21st August 2009 it was announced that Purewell Electrical and Lidl had reached an agreement for the supermarket to move into the Somerford Road site, within 18 months. Ian Griffiths of Purewell Electrical issued a statement reassuring customers that the local family business would be "relocating to a new site within Christchurch, and is excited for the future of the Company"..
Competitors
- Dixons, Currys.digital, Currys and PC World (owned by DSG International plc)
- Argos (owned by Home Retail Group)
- Comet Group (owned by Kesa Electricals)