Humble origins of a household name
HOUSE of Fraser began life in 1849 as a Glasgow drapery before growing into a one-stop shop for almost every conceivable household item.
The business was founded 169 years ago by Hugh Fraser, the son of a lowlands farmer, and shopkeeper James Arthur.
It grew rapidly, took on larger premises, began buying dozens of rivals and was listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1948 by Hugh Fraser, the grandson of the founder.
Its purchase of Harrods in 1959 put it at the top of the retail world and shoppers regarded its stores as the place to go for everything from cosmetics to beds, high fashion, food and even the latest hostess trolley.
Its popularity meant it was stalked for years in the 1980s by corporate raider Tiny Rowland, who battled with the Fraser family to seize control of the chain for his conglomerate Lonrho. The fight culminated in
ugly revelations about Sir Hugh Fraser’s gambling debts. But Rowland’s efforts eventually failed when the Government stepped in and ruled the deal could not go ahead.
The Frasers finally gave up control of their empire to Egyptian tycoon Mohamed Al-Fayed, and in the 1990s he returned the company to the London Stock Exchange except for Harrods which was kept in private hands. The chain acquired more than 200 rivals becoming a household name and destination for generations of shoppers.
In 1983 the Frasercard, valid at all stores, was introduced and, as recently as 2013, it heralded the launch of its first international store in Abu Dhabi.