Do It All

Do It All

Company type	Subsidiary (historically)
Industry	Retail (DIY and home improvement)
Predecessor	Big K, Calypso (merged as LCP Homecentres)
Founded	1963
Defunct	2001
Fate	Acquired by Focus DIY; brand discontinued
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Key people	WHSmith, Boots Group (owners at different times)
Products	DIY items including paints, wallpapers, hand tools, power tools, building materials

Do It All was a UK-based retailer specializing in do it yourself and home improvement products, which experienced several ownership changes throughout its existence. In 1998, the company was acquired by Focus DIY, which ultimately entered administration in 2011, resulting in the shutdown of all its outlets.

History

The origins of the company trace back to the merger of two DIY retailers, Big K and Calypso, both purchased by LCP (Lunt Comley & Pitt) and operated under the name LCP Homecentres. In 1978, WHSmith took over the business and rebranded it as W.H. Smith Do It All Limited.

Do It All's inventory included more than 25,000 DIY items such as paints, wallpapers, hand tools, power tools, and building materials like plywood and chipboard. Many locations provided additional services like on-site timber cutting and housed concessions like Harris Carpets.

During the competitive environment of the 1980s, Do It All merged with rival chain Payless DIY, owned by Boots Group, in 1988. Ownership was split evenly between WHSmith and Boots, each holding a 50% stake, while Payless stores were rebranded under the Do It All name. Persistent financial difficulties prompted WHSmith to divest its share to Boots in 1996 for a nominal £1.

Fate

Concentrating on its primary pharmacy operations, Boots sold 139 Do It All outlets to Focus DIY in 1998 for £68 million. These stores were initially rebranded as Focus Do It All before being shortened to Focus in 2001 following the acquisition of Great Mills.

In addition to this, Focus DIY purchased Wickes in 2000; some former Do It All locations outside Focus’s main market were converted into Wickes stores. The Do It All brand was discontinued shortly thereafter.