Industrial supplies distributor W.W. Grainger Inc. has agreed to sell its United Kingdom-based Cromwell business to private equity firm Aurelius, marking its full withdrawal from the U.K. market and reaffirming its pivot toward digital commerce-led growth in core regions.
The decision follows Grainger’s plan, announced in September, to close its Zoro U.K. ecommerce operation, pending consultation and regulatory approval. Together, the moves underscore the company’s strategy to focus on markets where its digital platforms and high-touch service models deliver stronger performance.
“Over the past decade we’ve made a concerted effort to focus our portfolio on the geographies where we can deliver the greatest long-term impact,” said CEO D.G. Macpherson. “We remain committed to creating value for our customers and driving profitable growth through our High-Touch Solutions model in North America and our Endless Assortment businesses in the United States and Japan.”
Grainger’s U.K. market exit
Grainger anchors its ’s Endless Assortment business with digital platforms such as Zoro.com and MonotaRO in Japan. Endless Assortment has become a cornerstone of its ecommerce strategy. These businesses cater to small and mid-sized customers through a vast online catalog and automated fulfillment infrastructure.
Grainger’s divestiture of Cromwell and its exit from the U.K. reflect a renewed concentration on markets where these digital ecosystems can scale more efficiently.
To account for the sale, Grainger expects to record a one-time, non-cash after-tax loss of $190 million to $205 million in its third-quarter 2025 results. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Grainger expects it to close in the coming months.
Aurelius is based in Munich. It specializes in turning around corporate carve-outs and underperforming divisions.
Cromwell supplies maintenance, repair, and operations products to industrial and institutional customers. It operates more than 60 branches across the U.K. and employs about 1,800 people.
The move effectively ends Grainger’s direct presence in Britain and reinforces its broader digital-first strategy. That is: prioritizing scalable ecommerce platforms, data-driven supply chains and high-margin online marketplaces in North America and Asia.
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