Comet, one of Britain’s best-known electrical retailers, has returned to the UK market 14 years after its collapse in 2012. The business relaunched on 9 November 2026 as an online marketplace, offering more than one million products from 2,500 sellers.
The revival is being led by entrepreneur Cas Paton, 42, who has invested £10 million in bringing the brand back. The new Comet will specialise in electrical goods and household appliances, retaining its familiar black and orange branding while operating without physical shops.
Comet Returns With a New Online Marketplace and Its Original Branding
Founded in Hull in 1933, Comet began by selling batteries and radios before becoming a familiar presence on British high streets. At its peak, the electrical chain operated hundreds of stores, selling televisions, computers, domestic appliances and other electronic products.
The company collapsed in 2012 after suffering substantial financial losses. According to the Mirror, the closure of its 236 stores resulted in approximately 7,000 job losses, marking one of the country’s most prominent retail failures.
Fourteen years later, the Comet name has returned under the ownership of OnBuy, the online marketplace founded by Paton. OnBuy acquired the brand in May 2025, although the relaunch was delayed after initially being scheduled for before Christmas that year.
The new website, comet.co.uk, offers televisions, washing machines, mobile phones, computers, kettles and other electrical products. Unlike the former retail chain, the relaunched business does not purchase or hold its own stock.
Instead, independent retailers and manufacturers can list their products directly through the marketplace. Paton believes this arrangement will provide shoppers with greater choice while allowing existing sellers to reach customers through an established British retail name.
According to the Manchester Evening News, Paton insisted that restoring Comet’s original appearance was a priority. He rejected a later version of its branding, believing the familiar black and orange design retained a stronger connection with customers.
The entrepreneur recalled visiting Comet’s Trafford Park store in Manchester with his late father, Nigel, and being fascinated by the technology on display. He hopes the relaunched business can recreate some of that enthusiasm through its specialist online offering.
A £10 Million Investment and Plans for a Possible High Street Presence
Paton has committed £10 million to the relaunch and believes Comet could eventually achieve a valuation of between £250 million and £500 million. The business will compete with established online retailers while concentrating exclusively on electrical products.
According to Metro, Paton is also exploring partnerships that could introduce click-and-collect services, potentially allowing customers to collect purchases from physical retail locations.
Although Comet currently operates exclusively online, these discussions could eventually put its name back on British high streets. No confirmed store openings or collection partnerships have been announced in the supplied reports.
Paton’s experience in online retail includes establishing OnBuy, which is now valued at £250 million. He previously served in the Royal Navy before studying law at Bournemouth University and developing businesses in technology and e-commerce.
Speaking about Comet’s return, Paton acknowledged the financial pressures facing households but maintained that demand for everyday electrical products remained. He believes the combination of competitive pricing, customer choice and the retailer’s longstanding reputation can help establish the revived Comet in Britain’s online electricals market.
