Electricals retailer Comet has returned to the UK market 14 years after disappearing from the High Street, relaunching as an online marketplace with more than one million products.

The news was announced by marketplace company OnBuy, which purchased the Comet brand in May 2025 from Misco Technologies as part of its efforts to challenge other UK retailers in the electronics space.

Comet, which first launched in 1933, will operate a marketplace model that brings together products from 2,500 retailers and brands across categories including televisions, computing, mobile phones, gaming, cameras and household appliances.

Unlike its former retail business, the new Comet will not sell its own inventory, with allfulfilled by third-party sellers.

The relaunch follows a £10 million investment from OnBuy. The company aims to grow the business into a £1 billion retailer, OnBuy said.

Cas Paton, chief executive of Comet, said many British shoppers have memories attached to the brand.

"But this isn't about trying to recreate the Comet of the past. We want to take that nostalgia, history and trust and build something for the way people shop today. Our ambition is simple: when you need something that plugs in, we want Comet to be the first place you think of."

Paton described Comet as a "friend of retailers" which can attract customers, build trust and give them choice.

"We want to bring some competition back to the market, but in a way that creates opportunity for retailers and brands too. Comet already means something to British shoppers. Our job now is to turn that recognition into customers and sales for the businesses selling through us."

The company said it is continuing to recruit new sellers ahead of the Christmas trading period as it expands the range of products available through the platform.

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