Chris Dawson Blog

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How boss beat the plane ban (17.04.10) (Comment on this article)

RETAIL magnate Chris Dawson proved his business is literally 'flying' as he beat the air travel ban to open four new stores, writes Business Editor William Telford.

Mr. Dawson chartered a helicopter to fly him from the Estover HQ of his The Range empire to new branches in Worthing, Corby, Leicester and Stockton-on-Tees.

The flight, in an Agusta helicopter from Liskeard's Castle Air, was allowed to proceed because it was at heights beneath the cloud of Icelandic volcano dust which has paralysed the country's commercial jet flights.

"There will be more room for us. We were going to give people a lift and earn some money but the pilot wouldn't have it," joked Mr. Dawson. The hardworking businessman left Plymouth at 7.30am yesterday and returned to the city, after a 750-mile round trip, about 10 hours later – in time for a two-hour business meeting.

He spent up to 90 minutes in each new branch, including his "latest concept" store in the North East, and said that during his visits, he would closely examine the new units, from the shopfloor to the warehouse and the IT systems, and added: "I go through the lot."

He said opening the new stores was "a very proud moment" for his 150-strong Plymouth head office workforce "who have made this possible". "It's a proud day for the company and a big day for Plymouth," he said. "The company is literally flying."

The entrepreneur aims to open 12 new stores this year, increasing his empire to 52 outlets, with another seven in the pipeline for next year.

He said the new stores had created 500 jobs and would increase his company's turnover by up to £30million this year. That would bring the overall turnover of his empire to £250million this year, he said.

And his overall expansion plans would mean 1,500 jobs being created nationwide during 2011, including about 20 "quality" jobs in Plymouth.

Mr. Dawson pledged his company would continue to be based in Plymouth and said it would soon report an increase in annual profits of "more than 100 per cent".

"It's exciting times," he said. "I have a brilliant team – they have made this happen."

Mr. Dawson's pilot, Duncan Colgate, from Castle Air, said the helicopter would be flying at heights of up to 3,000 feet, about 15,000 feet below the volcanic ash cloud
(William Telford, Business editor, Plymouth Herald)

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Plymouth Entreprenuer buys £29m of electrical goods - (Comment on this article) 03.04.09

ENTREPRENEUR Chris Dawson has pulled off another massive coup – buying £29million worth of electrical goods from a failed national wholesaler.

The city's richest man, with a reported fortune of more than £150million, fought of competition from across Europe to complete the deal to buy Empire Direct's 28 nation-wide stores on Thursday night. As part of the deal he has bought "thousands" of "top of the range" electrical items including flat screen televisions, cinema surround systems, fridges, freezers, washing machines, iPods and cameras.

He intends to create around 100 jobs across the country re-opening some of the stores while disposing of others.

Large amounts of the stock will be sold in his Plymouth stores, online, and via his new Estover Industrial Estate-based call centre from next week at "hugely discounted" prices. It follows a deal he oversaw to buy £68million worth of stock from furniture retailer MFI. And while the rest of the nation feels the strain of the recession, Mr Dawson continues to revel in the moment. He revealed he will shortly be announcing his intention to begin selling 'triple-deck' luxury super yachts.

And when The Herald phoned Mr Dawson – once labelled 'Plymouth's Deluxe Del Boy' – he jokingly announced: "This time next year Rodney, we'll be billionaires!" The multi-millionaire added: "We are really thrilled to have landed this at last. It has taken a few weeks but we have finally sealed the deal. "We had a lot of competition on this one from countries including France, Spain and Germany.

"When you are buying top of the range stuff everyone wants to get involved.

"We now own the stock and the stores. Empire Direct had about 28 stores across the country, predominantly based in the north of England.

"We will be disposing of some and opening others."

He said he is proud to be flying the flag for Plymouth.

"It's another positive story for us and Plymouth," he said. "We are all very excited about what is going on and it is thanks largely to the team I have here."

He said he will be selling the goods – at up to 70 per cent off some items – locally at The Range store in Plymstock, the former MFI store in Prince Rock, online and through his Estover call centre.

Mr Dawson, founder and managing director of The Range Home, Leisure and Garden, was ranked 525 on the Sunday Times Rich List last year with a reported fortune of £155million. Mr Dawson is likely to again feature in the forthcoming Rich List.

Last month hundreds of bargain hunters flocked to Plymouth's former MFI store in Faraday Mill Business Park to take advantage of discounted goods. Mr Dawson said at the time, the store was taking roughly £17,000 an hour as shoppers splashed out on bargain deals. Items have continued to sell "well" according to the entrepreneur.

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Chris Dawson will create 50 call centre jobs - (Comment on this article) 18.02.09

City entrepreneur Chris Dawson is hoping to bring nearly 50 jobs to Plymouth following the success of his venture to sell MFI stock. Mr Dawson bought a call centre to help sell the £68 million worth of furniture he bought – and now he plans to bring the operation to Estover, creating at least 48 jobs selling "everything from tea spoons to Range Rovers".

The call centre is currently in Doncaster and employs 24 people, but Mr Dawson said it would grow when it moved to Plymouth, employing 48 or possibly as many as 96 full-time staff in two separate shifts if the business carried on growing at its current rate. The move is expected to take place as soon as all the MFI stock has been sold.

Mr Dawson said: "I would like it to be down here in Estover because I like to keep a close eye on things."

The multi-millionaire businessman also plans to reopen the MFI store in Plymouth as well as creating 1,000 jobs in the London area. "It's all been moving very fast, but that's the way I like it," Mr Dawson said. Mr Dawson bought the entire stock of the failed furniture retailer in "the biggest one-day furniture purchase in history" two weeks ago. The goods filled 2,400 articulated lorries, and Mr Dawson began selling the furniture on the Internet, via the call centre, and from a number of ex-MFI stores, mostly in the London area, under the brand name Trading Bargains.

He said: "It's going really well and we've already identified nine sites which we will be keeping on a permanent basis." Mr Dawson said the stores would become part of his existing The Range chain. He said: "I know how these stores trade and how they respond to advertising.

"Maybe there's a lesson there – in these difficult times people are nervous of expansion; we are trying before we buy."

He said 40 per cent of the massive initial purchase had already been sold, with people coming from abroad and builders buying up furniture and fittings in bulk despite the recession.

There has also been considerable demand for spares and extra parts from former MFI customers who were expecting deliveries when the chain went bust. Mr Dawson said he was frustrated by the fact that data protection laws meant he couldn't contact people with missing orders directly. Instead, they can shop for parts of stock on the www.mfistock.co.uk and www.tradingbargains.co.uk websites.

Mr Dawson said he had received hundreds of letters from people thanking him for making MFI stock available, and from Plymouth people happy at his success.

Now Mr Dawson is already selling items from MFI at his The Range store on Billacombe Road, and is planning to open the MFI store on Laira Bridge Road in the next couple of weeks to bring the bargain bonanza to Plymouth. He said: "I will be there personally, selling the stock."

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Dawson cuts energy prices (Comment on this article) 10.02.09

PLYMOUTH entrepreneur Chris Dawson has launched a low-cost energy company – and says thousands of customers have made savings already. Last month he told The Herald he was taking on the energy giants, with the promise of cheaper gas and electricity rates for consumers. Now Mr Dawson, who owns The Range Home, Leisure and Garden chain of stores, said customers were saving up to £1,000 a year on their energy bills by using his new Energy Saver website. Speaking to The Herald en route to Berlin, he said plans were now in the pipeline to branch out into providing commercial gas and heat.

Mr Dawson said: "It's absolutely flying at the moment – it's going into orbit.

"British Gas have just announced a 10 per cent price cut, but we're way ahead of that," he added. The multi-millionaire businessman, who also owns an award-winning waste management company and an interior design and shop-fitting operation, said around 90 per cent of customers had made savings. "We've had over 5000 customers visit the site so far," he said. "Some people have saved £1,000, some people £500 and some people £150 – but even £150, if it was on the table, you'd take it."

Mr Dawson last hit the headlines at the end of January, when he purchased the entire stock of failed furniture retailer MFI in what he called 'the biggest furniture purchase in history.' He plans to open 20 'Trading Bargains' clearance stores across the UK over the next 13 weeks, where he will sell off the £68million-worth of stock at no more than cost price.

Mr Dawson is now looking into the possibility of setting up a call centre in Plymouth, aimed at helping former MFI customers find missing parts for kitchens, bathrooms and other items bought from the chain before its demise. He has also launched The Range prepaid credit card, which he says is gaining around 80 new customers each day.

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What happened to a famous retailers stock? (Comment on this article) 02.02.09

We all know the story of a famous kitchen and bedroom retailler who recently, despite twice dodging bankruptcy, succumbed and closed it's doors to the public. Thousands lost their jobs over night as administrators stepped in to manage the liquidation of the retail chain. But what happened to the millions of pounds worth of kitchen units, accessories, bedroom, dining and office furniture? The stock drew attention from companies abroad but in the end it was Plymouth based Trading Bargains Limited who acquired the stock with a retail value of £68 million pounds from the administrators. Chris Dawson managing director of Trading Bargains had the following to say, "It took close on 20 days to exchange contracts and I was in Barbados on the beach for the first ten! I was on my phone 24/7 but in the end I completed what is believed to be the biggest single one-day punt for stock in UK retail history."

It is reported that shortly after exchange, all stock was transferred to warehouses in the North East where it laid 12 pallets high, 4 pallets deep and stretched for 3/4 of a mile down the road.

Mr Dawson further added, "There are currently 2400 'artic' lorries heading for London where all stock will be sold in 20 Ex MFI stores in the Greater London area as well as Kent." The stores officially opened on saturday 7th February and include everything from full kitchens units and kitchen accessories (fridges, freezers, cookers and dishwashers) to bedroom, dining and office furniture. Everything is priced at cost price or less and is sold on a strictly first come, first served basis. "I suggest that those who are looking for a great deal get there early. We will also be constantly replenishing stock with new and different stock arriving every week."

There is also exciting news for those who bought kitchen and bedroom ranges from the company and are missing components and parts. Trading Bargains have got them and will make theses parts available at great prices. Mr Dawson commented, "I bet people with missing door handles or faulty kitchen cabinets will be relieved that they now don't have to go through the process of manufacturing a matching part but can purchase them directly from Trading Bargains."

The project has also created a number of temporary jobs but Mr Dawson, who also owns The Range Home, Leisure and Garden, has already hinted that should he be happy with any of the stores, there is a strong possibility that subject to contract there would be 20 new Range superstores overnight. This would create 1500 additional jobs with an investment of £20 million.

Mr Dawson closed by adding, "Acquiring some or all of these stores would fit nicely with my expansion plans as I plan to have 150 Range stores open in the next 5 years."

If you would like to purchase spare components, please visit www.mfistock.co.uk where more information can be found. There is also a delivery service available for components with delivery to all UK destinations. You can also find your nearest store by visiting www.tradingbargains.co.uk

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Plymouth businessman takes on the energy giants (Comment on this article) 05.01.09 Evening Herald

A PLYMOUTH entrepreneur is taking on the energy giants with the promise of cheaper electricity and gas rates for customers. Chris Dawson, owner of The Range Home, Leisure and Garden chain of stores, as well as an award-winning waste management company and an interior design and shop-fitting operation, plans to enter the national energy market with an internet-based utilities provider.

Speaking to The Herald from Barbados, the millionaire businessman said his new project would be launched in two weeks' time. Customers will be able to sign up to the service on The Range's website and the utilities company will trade under the same name. Details will also be available over the phone and in Range shops. Mr Dawson said: "It's the obvious thing to do. I have a big retail operation, and this fits with the brand. We've got access to millions of customers." Mr Dawson said his energy company would be unique because it would update its prices far faster and more often than existing energy suppliers, to exploit changes in the market.

"We buy massive blocks of gas and electricity and can change our prices extremely quickly," he said. Mr Dawson said his company would not be drilling for gas or actually generating electricity, simply buying the energy on the open market as cheaply as possible and passing on the saving to customers, who would get the cheapest possible price every day. The businessman said there were enough savings to be made to bring bills down and also make him a profit at the same time.

The system, which relies on sophisticated software to change prices automatically, has been tested using both staff at The Range and members of the public. Mr Dawson said: "We tested it on 100 people and 100 bills were reduced." Test customers had also found the system very easy to sign up for and use.

The new company will be rolled out nationally with an advertising campaign and run from The Range's Plymouth headquarters by just five or six people. "You don't need a lot of people because the system's so sophisticated," Mr Dawson said, adding that he hoped the energy company would soon be ready to start selling to other businesses as well. Dubbed 'Plymouth's deluxe Del Boy', Chris Dawson launched a 'pre-paid credit card' with MasterCard earlier in December for customers of his 41 The Range stores, bringing a further 20 jobs to Plymouth. This week the city-based entrepreneur has been enjoying a trip to Barbados, but it's not what most people would call a holiday; he takes a laptop and two phones to the beach. "I'm still working, but it's in the sun," he said. The Range reportedly enjoyed its best week for 20 years before Christmas.

"I'm going to make this a massive brand," Mr Dawson said.

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'Deluxe Del Boy' is bucking recession with new pay card (Comment on this article) 15.12.08 Evening Herald

MULTI-MILLIONAIRE Chris Dawson has taken his Range company's first step into the finance sector, writes Business Reporter Matt Fleming. The retailer – dubbed 'Plymouth's deluxe Del Boy' – has launched a prepaid MasterCard at his The Range Home, Leisure and Garden business. The card is like a bank card with a difference – customers can only spend the amount of money they have loaded onto it. Mr Dawson, who owns the 38-store The Range chain, said the card will make it easier for holders to 'keep track of their spending and not find themselves in financial difficulty due to overspending'.

He said: "People would think that I am mad to be moving into the finance sector at present, but the opportunities could not be greater.

"People are looking to better manage their money and a Range Card provides you with the ability to do just that."

After reported success in the US and Europe, The Range is one of the first retailers in the UK to launch a prepaid MasterCard. Mr Dawson said the Range card will be accepted wherever MasterCard is displayed. He said: "We have taken the prepaid card concept, but added our own twist to it. "We wanted to give everyone the opportunity to have a Range prepaid MasterCard, so we incorporated telephone applications.

"On top of this, people can also manage their accounts by using mobile phones and sending text messages." Mr Dawson acknowledged this is a time where customers and retailers in the UK are facing doom and gloom in the tough economic climate – but, for The Range, he said, it is a time for prosperity. He said that last week was the 'best in the past 20 years' with record takings on Saturday at The Range store in Plymstock – and nationally. He said: "We had an all-time best last week, which was brilliant. I thank all my staff for their work."

Mr Dawson said his waste management and shop fitting design arms of The Range were on the up this month, as well as his new price comparison websites. He also said there will be 'half a million pounds worth of bargains coming to Plymouth and the nation' in the New Year under plans being made in the wake of companies like Woolworths and MFI going into administration.

He said: "I know there's a credit crunch but you can't pull your socks up if you can't reach them. "Our business is run as if it's always in a recession." Customers with a Range Card will be invited to exclusive discount days where they can earn up to 10 per cent off anything in any Range store. Mr Dawson said the new financial arm of The Range will create 20 full-time jobs in Estover next year.

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Interview with Chris Dawson live on The Bay radio station in Barrow-in-Furness just before the store opened on the 31st of October 2008. The Breakfast team did the entire morning show live from the new store and caught Chris just before he cut the ribbon! (31.10.08)

Click here to play sound 

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Lost everything? "You're to blame!" says entrepreneur - (17.10.08 Real Business Magazine) (Comment on this article)

There has been much postulating over the culprits of this current credit crisis. Fingers are pointing every which way. But could it be us, the borrowers, who are truly to blame? Speaking yesterday at Barclays Commercial's "Beating the downturn" event at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel, Chris Dawson, multi-millionaire founder of The Range, had some harsh words for the assembled entrepreneurs.

"Sure, the banks shouldn't have lent money to people who didn't have a hope in hell of paying it back," he said. "But they can't take all the blame. If you recklessly over-borrow, it's as much your fault as it is theirs."

His words come in the wake of stern criticism of the banks' over-lending. Off balance-sheet investments and the 125 per cent mortgage are cited as prime examples of the "age of irresponsibility". Last year UK consumers borrowed some £228m every day. And despite Labour's assertion that the pattern of "bust and boom" was broken, the days of cheap flights, easy credit and souring house prices surely could not go on forever?

Click here to read the article.

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The Range heads to town (21.07.08) (Comment on this article)

AROUND 150 jobs will be created when a new superstore opens in Barrow. The old B&Q building will become the new site for Range, which plans to open on October 10 Recruiting interviews will begin in the next few weeks for the store, which is planned to open on October 10.

It is another boost for Barrow’s economic microclimate in which local unemployment is falling while nationally it is rising. Chris Dawson, founder and managing director of the group, said: “We are spending £1.7m on that building and will probably reclad it. Click here to read the article.

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New Cornish Range cooking up interest: (11.07.08) (Comment on this article)

PLYMOUTH'S millionaire 'Delboy' Chris Dawson is opening a new The Range store in Cornwall today. The rags-to-riches businessman is expanding his retail empire by opening the 34th store in the chain in Truro. He also revealed to The Herald that workers are onsite preparing for a new store which will open in Halifax, and will also be onsite in four weeks time at a new store in Barrow-in-Furness.

He added that further new stores should open in Chesterfield, Derby and Gillingham next year, followed by a 'flagship store' in Southampton. That will be followed by the launch of a 'banking-ish business' in Plymouth, which he is keeping under wraps at the moment.

He was asked about how tough the past 12 months had been, due to the credit crunch.

He said: “It is tougher than a year ago, but I see lots of opportunities in a crisis. We will continue to give it 110 per cent.”

Since founding CDS in 1980, Chris Dawson has developed it from humble beginnings on a market stall into an ever-expanding chain of now 34 superstores. A spokesman for The Range said that the Truro store opening has not been without some “unplanned issues”. From as early as last weekend, hundreds of customers have made their way down to it, demanding to be let in, based on a misplaced assumption that it was already open. Mr Dawson had to release statements during the week urging customers not to go down to the store until today, when it officially opens for trading.

Andrew Hewson, health and safety representative for The Range, said: “I have been down at the store for the past week or so and literally hundreds of people have been coming down to it shocked to find that it is not yet open.

“This has created health and safety issues for us, as the store is still classed as a building site. “Local authorities do not seem to see the humour in ladies pushing prams on site while we still putting signage up on the store front.”

Temporary fencing was erected around the store to ensure that eager customers did not get too close to the site.

Mr Dawson – said to be the 476th wealthiest man in Britain with a fortune of £155million – said: “In a way, opening a store in Truro is like getting up and going to work 25 years ago, when I traded there at the Three Milestone Market. “It was one of the places where I started out all those years ago, and I have not forgotten about Cornwall.

“I am happy to see so many people excited at the prospect of grabbing a deal in our new store.”

Mr Dawson will be at the store over the weekend. He will give free business advice to budding entrepreneurs.

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Tycoon to return with new store and 150 jobs: (25.06.08) (Comment on this article)

AN award-winning entrepreneur who started out trading from the back of a lorry at Truro 25 years ago is returning – and bringing 150 new jobs with him. Rags-to-riches chain owner Chris Dawson is set to open a branch of his successful The Range stores at Threemilestone next month. And the outlet at the former Focus DIY store premises is due to employ about 150 local staff, having also used contractors and materials from the area in the run-up to the official launch on July 11. Click here to read the article.

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The Sun: (25.06.08) (Comment on this article)

Meet the man who has gone from market trader to millionaire…Chris Dawson has gone from being a Del Boy market trader with the gift of the gab to a multi millionaire with the golden touch. The cheeky chappie became the main attraction at outdoor markets with his perfect pitch for selling everything from gold-ish candelabras to Royal Doulton-ish dinner services. Click here to read the article.

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New Store Opening in Truro (24.06.08) (Comment on this article)

The Range reaches 34 stores! With the opening of Truro in Cornwall, The Range reaches 34 stores across the UK. And to mark this event Chris Dawson will be at the opening on July the 11th to answer questions and give advice to any budding entrenepeur's. The new store's address details can be printed off by visiting here.

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If you cant see the above video, click here to view.

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Plymouth entrepreneur receives top award (23.06.08) (Comment on this article)

Friday 20 June 2008: One of Plymouth’s leading entrepreneurs scooped the top accolade at the South Region final of Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year awards last night.

Chris Dawson of CDS (Superstores International) Limited fought off competition from 52 of the region’s finest business men and women to win the Entrepreneur Of The Year award in the Consumer Services category, at a glittering ceremony held at the London Hilton Metropole Hotel.

The Managing Director of a chain of out-of-town superstores, that sell home and leisure goods under the brand of ‘The Range, was described by the independent judging panel as the embodiment of true ‘entrepreneurial spirit’.

Founded in 1980, Chris Dawson has developed CDS from humble beginnings on a market stall in to an expanding chain of 33 superstores. The business continues to grow at a rate of around nine new outlets every year, with the aim of eventually becoming a 160 store chain in the UK.

To read more of this press release click here

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We are on Wikipedia! 08.06.08) (Comment on this article)

The Range is recognised for its unique variety, and for offering affordable quality in its range of products. The Range concept is to offer 'mid-price' home, leisure and garden products, drawing together everything that could be needed for the stylish home at affordable prices.

To read more of this press release click here

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Your Hired! (01.06.08) (Comment on this article)

Chris Dawson is a self made millionaire.  He began trading in the markets of the Southwest in the early 1980s, and founded CDS (which operates The Range chain of Superstores) in the 1990s.  CDS currently has a turnover of in excess of £150million and is one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers.  Chris has featured regularly in the Times Rich List and has also been placed 15th in Management Today’s Top 100 Entrepreneurs in the UK.

To read more of this press release click here

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Financial Times and The Severnside Annual Recycling Awards: (21.04.08) (Comment on this article)

From zero, The Range is now recycling 56 tonnes of cardboard and 8 tonnes of plastic every week. This change in ethos becomes doubly important when you consider The Range plans to increase its estate by 130 stores in the coming years.

Mr Chris Dawson, owner of the Range, commented, “The time has come for businesses, no matter their size, to realise that we have an impact on the sustainability of the environment and that through simple initiatives, we can all accept responsibility and contribute towards a bright future for both retailers and the communities in which our customers live.”

To read more of this press release click here

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It's tough at the top: (01.12.07) (Comment on this article)

Insider decided to chase the entrepreneurial vibe this month and in doing so it managed to catch up with Plymouth's very own "Deluxe Delboy', Chris Dawson. Known for his no nonsense approach to business and to life in general, he tells Peter Jump why things are only getting better for those in the South West.

To read more of this press release click here

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Financial Times Rich List: (12.09.07) (Comment on this article)

In 1988 Dawson, 52, a former market trader, opened his first discount superstore, the Range, which sells everything from DIY products to textiles. His CDS (Superstores International) company is now on course to make a profit of more than £10m in 2004-05. With 13 stores already and more coming on stream, the Plymouth-based business is worth at least £100m.

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The Range in York opens: (01.12.06) (Comment on this article)

ALMOST 200 jobs are being created with the opening of a massive new store in York next week. The Range - claimed to be "England's answer to IKEA" - stands on the site of the former Asda store at Huntington, which has lain empty for the past five years.

But managing director Chris Dawson said at 150,000 square ft, the home and leisure store is more than double the size of the 61,000 square ft old supermarket.

To read more of this press release click here

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Chris Dawson Live at Business to Business Southwest (Exeter): 17.08.06) (Comment on this article)

'Plymouth's Delux Delboy' gives an insight into his personal journey. Visit and view the video by clicking here.

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The MT Interview - Chris Dawson: (28.07.05) (Comment on this article)

A stereotype of the rags-to-riches entrepreneur, Chris Dawson started trading stuff while still at school, which he left with no qualifications.

A couple of months ago, MT ran a round table discussion about entrepreneurialism at the Dorchester Hotel in central London. We collected together eight leading self-made men and women worth a total of a quarter of a billion pounds in an attempt to get to the bottom of what makes them tick and discuss whether the fuel that drives them could be bottled.

One of the opening comments was made by Adrian Atkinson, a corporate psychologist and expert on the phenomenon. He expressed the belief that male entrepreneurs were made by difficult childhood circumstances, often including failure at school. Nearly half of entre- preneurs are dyslexic; they are rarely easy-going people and never stop working.

To read more of this press release click here

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Profit Track 100: (21.05.05) (Comment on this article)

Chris Dawson has been described as "Plymouth's deluxe Del Boy", a reference to a past career that included market trading, motorbike racing and auctioneering. He opened the first CDS superstore, branded The Range Home & Leisure, in 1989. There are now 18 stores in southern England and Wales, each selling 70,000 different products at knockdown prices. The company plans to open seven more this year. Its profits have grown 51% a year from £1.7m in 2001 to £6m in 2004.

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