Maplin up for sale as Montagu eyes exit

ELECTRONICS retailer Maplin has been put up for sale with a potential price tag of up to £500m, according to reports.

Its owner Montagu Private Equity is understood to have instructed PwC to handle the sale, The Telegraph reported.

The Rotherham-based firm was bought by Montagu in 2004 and is the UK’s biggest specialist consumer electronics retailer.

Established in 1972 as a mail order business, the 214 strong chain includes high street and out-of-town stores as well as a mail order catalogue and an online presence.

It is thought that Montagu, which has previously invested in hair products business ghd, and Quorn, tried to sell Maplin in 2011.

Maplin supplies more than 15,000 products including cables, components, IT & computing equipment, sat navs, tools and TV & satellite systems.