House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland.
It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser.
1873 The business passed to Hugh Fraser's sons on his death
By 1891 it was known as Fraser and Sons.
The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second World War, a large number of acquisitions would transform the company into a national chain.
1924 The third Sir Hugh Fraser, later Lord Fraser of Allander, became managing director at the age of 21 and assumed full control on his father's death two years later.
Between 1936 and 1985 over seventy companies (70 not including their subsidiaries) were acquired.
1948 the company was first listed on the London Stock Exchange
1952 Acquired the Scottish Drapery Corporation
1953 Acquired nine Binns stores in the North of England.
1957 Acquired John Barker and Co.
1959 Acquired Harrods, including the Knightsbridge store and seven other stores.
1966 Sir Hugh Fraser succeeded his father as chairman and managing director.
1969-1973 Further acquisitions
1970 Acquired Cavendish House
1972 Started to transition from a personal to a corporate style of management based on regional groups of stores with common management and buying.
1974 Acquired Army and Navy Stores in Victoria.
1980 Owned more than 100 department stores throughout Britain including Barkers of Kensington and Army and Navy Stores in Victoria[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Times Sept. 3, 1980