Richard Shops were a well known British retailer of women’s fashion. Between the 1960’s and 1990’s the company were a part of almost every British high Street and shopping centre.
Anyone of a certain age will remember the ads.“Richard Shops are filled with all the pretty things”
Summary
Richard Shops was formed in 1958 as part of another British company: United Drapery Stores who embarked on an immediate expansion and promotional program for their new brand. During the 1970’s their TV commercials appeared regularly on TV.
In 1983 Richard Shops began what must have seemed like a game of pass the parcel. Parent company United Drapery Stores was sold to Hanson plc.
Hanson immediately attempted to recover the cost of purchase, selling the Richards Shops brand and stores off as a separate company.
Richards was acquired by a newly formed retail group: Habitat/Mothercare.
Three years later, in 1986, Richards Shops had another new owner after parent company Habitat/Mothercare merged with British Home Stores creating the Storehouse Group.
By the late 1980’s retail was changing and Richard Shops began to loose direction. Parent company Storehouse had troubles of it’s own and so, in 1992, Richard Shops was sold again. This time to British retail giant Sears the then owner of the world famous Selfridges department store.
Where Did They Go?
The end finally came for Richard Shops when, in 1999, the Arcadia Group acquired Sears plc. Richards Shops were immediately closed.
The name still exists today as Richard Shops Holdings. Registered at Companies House as a dormant company no longer trading.
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