Chris Dawson, the founder of The Range, has climbed significantly on this year’s Sunday Times Rich List.
The Plymouth-based retail tycoon revealed that his fortune grew by an impressive £475 million within a year, bringing his total net worth to £2.5 billion.
This increase secured Dawson and his wife, Sarah, the 70th spot on the esteemed list.
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Known for his tireless work ethic and sharp business instincts, Dawson credited his soaring wealth to strategic investments and the rising value of his retail empire.
In a conversation with PlymouthLive, he pointed out that acquiring the Wilko brand had been a major turning point.
Dawson purchased Wilko’s name and intellectual property for just £7 million. After reopening around 50 of its stores, the chain’s value skyrocketed to approximately £100 million.
Praising his team at The Range’s Plymouth headquarters, Dawson highlighted three main factors behind the financial growth: smart investments, valuable distribution centers, and the combined strength of The Range and Wilko brands.
He revealed that a seven-year investment had recently matured, significantly boosting his finances. “We have done extremely well in international investments.
I’m a big investor in hedge funds, and this year they have matured. A tremendous result,” Dawson said.
Last year, the businessman opened a £200 million distribution center in Stowmarket, Suffolk, following a £100 million facility launched six years earlier in Avonmouth, near Bristol. Both cutting-edge centers have seen substantial appreciation due to the ongoing boom in online shopping.
“The distribution depot in Stowmarket is 14 times the size of Wembley Stadium and has nearly doubled in value since construction began,” he said. “The same goes for the one in Bristol.”
Dawson also noted the growing global demand for discount retail chains such as The Range and Wilko, which now combine physical stores with online trading and dropshipping.
“I have made Wilko work better, and it now has a significant value,” he added.
The couple’s climb up the Rich List saw them move up 15 places, ranking them as the second wealthiest family in the South West, behind technology magnate Sir James Dyson and his family.
Despite his immense success, Dawson, who started out as a market trader in Plymouth, has no plans to slow down.
“I’m at it nine days a week, 25 hours a day. I’m very lucky because I love what I do. What more could you want? I’m not looking to retire,” he said.
Acknowledging the teamwork behind his achievements, Dawson concluded, “These accomplishments weren’t made by me alone. I have an incredible team, and together we give our best.”
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