THE electronics shop chain Maplin is up for sale amid reports that it is seeking to head off the threat of administration.

The company is understood to be in talks with potential buyers.

Its 200 stores include branches at Commercial Road in Bournemouth, Christchurch Retail Park and Poole’s Wessex Gate Retail Park. Maplin has 2,500 staff nationwide.

The business, owned by private equity group Rutland Partners, hopes to strike a deal this week, it said.

Maplin said in a statement: “We are in advanced talks with a number of parties and expect to be in a position to announce a solvent sale of the business within days.

“Once secured this will stabilise the business to the benefit of all stakeholders and provide Maplin with the financial firepower to deliver its 2020 multichannel strategy focused on smart tech.”

The strategy involves competing with the online giants by installing devices as well as selling them, and also includes a new identity and revamp of stores.

Potential buyers for the business are thought to include Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which owns Jaeger, Peacocks, Country Casuals and other retailers.

Maplin recorded a pre-tax loss of £3.9million for the year ending March 31, 2017, up from £2.1m the year before.