The Rich History of House of Fraser and Frasers | From Glasgow to the United Kingdom
3 min read
History of House of Fraser and Frasers
The story of House of Fraser and Frasers is one of Glasgow's most famous and enduring retail brands. The business was founded by David Fraser in 1849, when he opened his first drapery shop on Glasgow's Buchanan Street. Over the years, House of Fraser has expanded to become one of the UK's leading luxury retailers, with over 1,000 stores across the country.
In 1877, David Fraser decided to expand his business into Edinburgh, and he opened a second store on Princes Street. This was followed by a third store in London in 1880. By this time, David Fraser had developed a renowned reputation as one of Scotland’s leading retailers, and his stores were well known for their high quality merchandise and stylish design.
What is Frasers Group?
House of Fraser is a British retailer, with over 1,000 stores across the United Kingdom. The company was founded in 1849 in Glasgow by William Fraser and George Smith. Today, Frasers Group (formerly House of Fraser) is one of the largest department store chains in the United Kingdom and employs nearly 15,000 people.
Frasers began as a small shop on Glasgow's Buchanan Street, stocking fabrics and notions for ladies' dressmaking. The company quickly grew, opening new stores in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. In 1867, Fraser opened his first men's store on Princes Street in Edinburgh. This marked the beginning of what would become a global business empire.
In 1879, House of Fraser acquired its first branch outside of Scotland: in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This was followed by branches in Manchester and Liverpool two years later. By 1889, House of Fraser had opened stores in Birmingham, Bristol, Leicester and London (the first store outside of Scotland).
Origins of House of Fraser and Frasers
The House of Fraser is one of the oldest and most prestigious department stores in the United Kingdom, having been founded in 1849 by David Fraser. The Frasers were a prominent Glasgow family who had long been involved in the retail trade, and David Fraser decided to open his own store after observing the success of similar businesses in London.
The initial range of products offered by the House of Fraser was limited, but it quickly developed a reputation for offering high quality clothing at reasonable prices. The store soon became popular not just in Glasgow but also throughout Scotland and northern England, and by 1870 it had opened branches in Edinburgh and Aberdeen.
In 1896, the House of Fraser acquired its first chain of stores, opening outlets in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham. In 1933, the Frasers sold the business to Bernard Sunningdale Ltd., a British textile manufacturer whose chairman was Lord Woolton. Under Sunningdale's management, the House of Fraser underwent a period of rapid expansion, opening stores in Cardiff, Bristol, Belfast and Dublin as well as acquiring several other retailers including Maplin & Son Ltd., Evans Brothers Ltd. and Foulkes Brothers Ltd.
What are the different types of stores operated by House of Fraser and Frasers?
House of Fraser is a British department store that was founded in Glasgow in 1878. The store expanded to London in 1892 and to the United States in 1921. Frasers was founded in 1914 by Thomas Fraser and his son Thomas Fraser Jr. The store operated as a separate business until it was merged with House of Fraser in 2004.
