Complex sentence: Originally owned by Kingfisher plc, then Woolworths, it was sold to a venture capital company in August 2005, but a lack of direction and investment failed to improve profitability.
Split into simpler sentences: Originally owned by Kingfisher plc, then Woolworths, it was sold off in August 2005 after poor profitability. After being purchased by a venture capital company in August 2005 a lack of direction and investment failed to improve profitability.