Promotional feature: The House of Fraser brand has come a long way over the past 165 years. From its humble beginnings as a drapery shop in Glasgow, the brand is now recognised as one of the leading department stores in the UK. Today, people head to House of Fraser’s 60 high-street branches and extensive web store to find a wide variety of high-quality clothing and household equipment.
The House of Fraser range
Women can look glamorous by shopping the huge range of dresses, tops, knitwear, jeans and trousers, or kick-start their health plan with some fitness clothing and swimwear. There’s also a wide variety of luxurious women’s accessories that are perfect for finishing a look, with sparkling jewellery, deluxe watches and chic sunglasses all on offer.
Men can also dress to impress with the selection of casual t-shirts and jeans, as well as more formal shirts and trousers. For the perfect addition to any gent’s summer wardrobe, there’s shorts and swimwear too.
The little ones aren’t forgotten either, with a range of clothes for boys, girls and babies available. You’ll find everything you need to kit out their nursery too.
When it comes to improving the aesthetic appeal of your home, House of Fraser is here to help. The department store has dedicated living room, dining room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom ranges.
The House of Fraser story
House of Fraser’s extensive collection of branded merchandise showcases just how far the company has come in the last 165 years.
The department store’s story began back in 1849. Under the trading name Arthur and Fraser — in recognition of its founders James Arthur and Hugh Fraser — the brand started out as a small drapery store on the corner of Argyle Street and Buchanan Street in Glasgow.
However, it wasn’t long until the House of Fraser as we now know it began to take shape. The Arthur and Fraser business expanded quickly upon its establishment, leading to the wholesale and retail sides of the business separating in 1856. Arthur took control of the wholesale business, leaving Fraser in charge of the retail side.
For close to a century, the retail business witnessed two new chairmen in the form of Hugh Fraser II and Hugh Fraser III, as well as name changes like Fraser & McLaren — after Alexander McLaren joined the company — and Fraser & Sons.
It was in 1948 though that the business would settle on its now iconic name House of Fraser. The news was coupled with the company appearing on the London Stock Exchange for the first time, before acquiring a raft of companies including Harrords, T. Baird & Sons, Chiesmans Ltd and the Army & Navy Stores.
At the same time, the brand’s stores started to populate UK high streets. As a result, the brand can now be found across England, as well as in bustling areas of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. There’s even an Abu Dhabi branch.
In 2007, the company finally launched its online shop, providing customers in remote locations access to the brand’s collections too.
House of Fraser here and now
With a huge range and an extensive history, it is clear to see why House of Fraser is one of the most popular department stores in the UK.
In order to give back to the customers who have supported them for so long, House of Fraser launched their very own reward programme, Recognition.
The scheme is a simple one to understand. First, choose the Recognition MasterCard, a credit and reward card in one, or the standard Recognition Reward Card. From there, begin collecting points by purchasing items both online and in-store at House of Fraser.
One point is gained every time a customer spends £1, with a sum of 500 points resulting in a £5 reward. This reward can then be spent at House of Fraser, beginning the cycle of the reward programme once more.
The future of House of Fraser
In a strategy for better positioning itself for the future, House of Fraser announced in April that a definitive agreement had been signed which will see the brand being acquired by the Nanjing Xinjiekou Department Store Co. Ltd — also known as Nanjing Cenbest.
Don McCarthy, House of Fraser’s Executive Chairman, stated that the acquisition “opens an extremely exciting chapter in the story of House of Fraser”. Meanwhile, Yuan Yafei, the Chairman of the Sanpower Group, of which Nanjing Cenbest is a subsidiary, pointed out that his company has “always been looking to invest in strong brands like House of Fraser, and take them to the next level of growth”.
It is expected that the acquisition will close later this summer and officially begin a new venture for House of Fraser.
For more information, visit: www.houseoffraser.co.uk
