EmpireStores End of an era?

I used to work for Littlewoods and it was only their push towards eCommerce that saved them. I’m surprised more brands haven’t gone sooner.

That’s indeed where I thought the catalogue companies could win, by moving their agency model online but bringing in a new approach to the agency side of things. I firmly believe that catalogue companies can compete and effectively but it means changing a corporate empire, breaking down the traditional mindsets and greeting the digital, clever marketing and customer retention, yada yada… guess it is easier to write then do

Empire Stores date back to 1831, I suspect Antonio Fattorini
should be pleased on the one hand having created such an empire, or would he be turning in his grave?

Cheers Mark

My mam was an agent in the sunny North East

Shame

Doug

I doubt if any one would be interested in the history of catalogue companies but terms like “Ill buy this on the never never” came out of post war Britain. I could write an essay on this stuff, facinating for me, I have a lot of catalogues dating back to 1920’s and a great one from Barkers circa 1950 http://www.barkers-northallerton.co.uk/history/history.html
Ahh I could go on and on…

Mark, I think Thomas Fattorini who I believe was mainly responsible for building up the mail order side of the business started by Antonio, and for whom my mum and uncle worked, will definitely be turning in his grave, even if Antonio can be proud knowing that part of his business base (badge making/jewellery etc) is still going strong.

According to family tradition, although the Fattorini’s somehow bridged the Yorks/Lancs divide there was always ‘tension’ between their Mail Order firms and what became the Littlewoods Group (John Moore?) based in Liverpool.

I for one am deeply saddened to see that Empire, which proudly acclaimed its role as the last independent catalogue, right up to the 1980s, has at last been swallowed up by the ‘enemy’ encampment. I suspect that if it hadn’t had to become part of Redcats (PRR) the company would have gone down with all guns blazing. If my mum had been alive she for one would have seen to it that it did! (The Fattorini’s seem to have engendered fierce loyalty in their staff).

Jessica, do write that essay… (especially if its an illustrated one) I think there are a lot of social historians (as well as consumers and ex-staff) who would love to read and learn from it. In fact there could very well be a whole book in it… and the Fattorini’s especially are also an object lesson in how an immigrant family came to be not only an integral part of the business world but brand leaders (How’s that for a hot topic?)

Ah well, another bit of of the world I grew up in, knew and loved, disappears in all but name (and I suspect even that will go in a year or so…)

Happy memories though…

George

Thank you for your comments it’s very much appreciated 0)
I hear you :0)

I think many social historians have either written directly or touched upon the social changes in post world war two Britain, I believe there are a number of books that either touch upon the rise of catalogues but I don’t recall ever reading or seeing a book dedicated to this subject. When you speak about the benefits as an employee for these companies, I know exactly what you mean, very family focussed and high on employee loyalty, which today is almost gone from most companies. I did some work for The OTTO group and I found the whole employee set up quaint and oldy worldy and reminded me that once this was the norm for big institutions in Britain and I can imagine that Empire Direct must have been similar. Curious then that I should find myself promoting two traditional institutions in the UK Catalogues and Bingo, a century of working class tradition. Bingo just took to online like a duck to water, where as the catalogue sector faced and are still facing many challenges.
Yes Id love to write an essay but unfortunately most people who frequent this site are all about the money and stats and don’t want to read about how it all started more over for them its about predicting the future and how to cash in and fair dues. But, I strongly believe that in order to predict the future we have to understand the past to make sense of the present just so we can better predict the future. I sincerely hope that our history about those great British institutions that have gone or are in decline will never be forgotten.
Bless your cotton socks!
Jess :0)

Hi,
I’d been with Empire for over 35years and never had a problem . Littlewoods/GUS have only taken over 2 months ago and it’s been a catalogue of disaster(excuse the pun)
Their customer service isquite appalling, order are lost, offers never materialise. Parrot fashion idiotic replies to any queries. I’m disabled and really struggle to get out to shop, unfortunately the catalogues are owned by the same groups. Empire was different. What a disaster!
Lynn