Halfords Buy Nationwide Autocentres

Halfords Group has bought Nationwide Autocentres in a £73.2 million deal, which managers described as the next logical step in its expansion plans. Nationwide, which has been owned by private equity group Phoenix since 2006, employs 900 mechanics and serves roughly 500,000 customers a year. Nationwide offers customers and fleets MOTs, servicing and repairs, but also recently increased the emphasis on tyres at its 224 outlets.