£60m-sales Stormfront acquired to create UK's largest Apple reseller

Irish giant Compu b bolsters APR business with Stormfront's 23 UK stores

Stormfront has been acquired by fellow Apple reseller Compu b, creating the UK's largest independent Apple provider.

Both firms are Apple Premium Resellers (APR), with Stormfront having 23 stores across the UK.

Compu b, meanwhile, is owned by Irish retail and tech giant B.ICONIC.

Mike Fleming, CEO of Stormfront, said: "After opening our first store in 2007, Stormfront became the UK's largest APR within five 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 10 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."

The acquisition comes at the end of a tough year for the UK retail space, with fellow reseller Solutions Inc going bust earlier this year.

Both Stormfront and Compu b reported sales declines in their most recent accounts.

Stormfront saw revenue fall 0.3 per cent to £57.2m for the year ending 30 June 2018, while Compu b's sales for the 15-month period ending 31 March 2019 were £139.7m - a 29 per cent plunge pro rata.

In its report, Compu b said that the UK retail market "remains challenging".

B.ICONIC CEO Ciaran McCormack said of 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."