Kays Catalogue History
- Historical event 1895 Kays and Company founded by Kilbourne Kay
- 1900 Universal Stores founded by Abraham Rose
- 1927 Universal Stores shares floated on stock market
- 1936 Marshall Ward catalogue acquired
- 1937 Kays catalogue acquired by GUS
- 1971 Opening of Universal House, Ardwick, Manchester - head office for Kays catalogue
- 1972 A.S. Henry (including John Noble) acquired
- 1982 Vedia SA (Switzerland) acquired
- 1982 Kays trading Name changed to The Great Universal Stores plc
- 1990 Joint venture with TNT Transport makes White Arrow Uk's biggest parcel delivery system
- 1994 Introduction of Shopper's Universe internet site
Kays Catalogue History... Continued
- 1996 Experian Information Solutions acquired
- 1997 Innovations, McCord, Stocking Fillas, Home Free, Brainwaves and Gift Box acquired
- 1998 Argos plc acquired 1999 Metromail (USA) acquired
- 2000 Argos Retail Group founded
- 2000 Reality.com acquired
- 2000 Jungle.com acquired
- 2001 Name changed to GUS plc
- 2001 Launch of new brand, abound
- 2002 GUS Home Shopping move to the Arndale Centre, Manchester new head office for Kays
- 2002 GUS Home Shopping changes its name to ARG Equation
- 2003 Business sold by GUS plc to March UK Ltd
- 2003 ARG Equation changes its name to Shop Direct Group Limited
- 2004 Shop Direct including Kays catalogue to March UK Ltd approved by UK Government following referral of shops direct catalogues to the Competition Commission
An in depth history of Littlewoods Catalogue Home Shopping from the 1930s to the present day can be found at Littlewoods - The Catalog Shop