Retail Shops

John Collier

There used to be a chain of tailors called 'John Collier' who used the TV jingle 'John Collier, John Collier, the window to watch'.

Here is the rise and fall of John Collier the 50 bob tailors...

The predecessors of John Collier can be traced back to the founding of these manufacturers and retailers:

• 1876 Baird Group

• 1894 Alexandre

• 1895 Centaur Group

• 1900 Montague Burtons

• 1905 Prices' 50 Shillings Tailors

In 1950 Prices Tailors was renamed John Collier.

• 1950 Alexandre forms a partnership with American Armed Forces in Europe.

• 1971 UDS Tailoring formed from the merger of John Collier and Alexandre.

• 1982 Management buyout of John Collier and Alexandre.

• 1986 Burton acquires John Collier and Alexandre.

• 1988 Centaur Clothes Group takes over the business.

• 1989 William Baird Plc buys Centaur Clothes and the names changes to Baird Menswear Brands (BMB)

In the 1990s, the new group expands and acquires other brands and exclusivity rights.

• 1990 Alexandre awarded royal warrants.

• 1991 Alexandre opens first stores with American Forces in the USA and acquires the Jeff Banks licence.

• 1992 Debenhams suit exclusivity obtained. Alexandre wins Gold Award for Export.

• 1994 Arcadia suit exclusivity obtained.

• 1998 Alexandre Savile Row store opened.

• 1999 Limehaus and Gibson brands acquired.

In 2000, BMB was subject to a management buyout.

• 2001 Jeff & Co. collection of mens and ladieswear launched in Sainsbury's. [This was dropped in 2004] Alexandre wins UK fashion export award for the second time. Ozwald Boateng designer concepts introduced.

• 2004 Baracuta wins export award. Stvdio ladieswear launched. Haggar, Arrow & Elspeth Gibson licences signed.

BMB is continually evolving and changing to retain its market share. The details given above are a simply a snapshot of the businesses at key dates and are not intended to fully reflect the complexities of the Group. See www.bmb-group.co.uk/index.htm for more details.

Richards Shops

Richards Shops are filled with all the pretty things
Soft and lovely pretty things to wear
Hey there pretty girl
Make the world a prettier place
Come pretty up
Come buy your clothes at Richards Shops.

[13th April, 2000 - UK retail group Arcadia has announced that it will close two chains with 654 Principles for Men and Richards stores and at a loss of 3,500 jobs - but promises to open 300 new shops.]

Living:

Kleenex Boutique Tissues

In 1968, Kimberly-Clark introduced the Kleenex Boutique line of facial tissue designed in bright, stylish colors to coordinate with the latest trends. The tissue was packed in a compact, upright box designed to fit into vanities and nightstands.

Verve-y Boutique, 1971

A pretty girl with a soft bubbly voice (accompanied on a piano) gave us another catchy jingle that waxed lyrical to the fact that you could...

"Pick up Boutique, Boutique it away, Boutique it-away;
 Pick up Boutique and Boutique it-away.

 Pick up Boutique, Boutique it away, Boutique it-away;
 Pick up Boutique and Boutique it-away.

 Ahh...

"Male Voice Over": 'Clever Kleenex Boutique, two blending colours in each pretty box.'

 Pick up Boutique and Boutique it-away."

Click to Boutique it.

[Invented in 1924, Kleenex tissues were initially marketed as a sanitary way to remove cold cream and makeup.]

RED Lifebuoy soap is still available at www.lifebuoy.co.uk

Return to Faded Index

All logos and trade marks are the property of their respective owners and are used on the Light Straw site(s) for review only. Students and researchers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information contained therein.
Compiled by Light-Straw © 1999-2007