Dixons (retailer)

Dixons was a retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is currently owned by Dixons Carphone.

This article is about the original UK electrical goods retailer. For the airport spin-off, see Dixons Travel. For its original parent company, see Dixons Retail. For the current merged parent company, see Dixons Carphone.
Not to be confused with Dixons (Netherlands).

Dixons
TypeOnline Retailer
IndustryRetail
FateClosed
Founded1937
Defunct9 October 2012
HeadquartersHemel Hempstead,
Hertfordshire
England
Key people
Per Bjørgås
(Managing Director)
ProductsWhite goods, Telecommunications, Information technology
ParentDixons Retail plc

With its origins in a photographic shop opened by Charles Kalms, the chain had a store in most towns and cities across the United Kingdom and Ireland. On 5 April 2006, Dixons announced that they were removing the brand from the high street (except in Ireland) and would only be using the Currys brand, branded as Currys.digital. DSG Ireland followed suit in August 2008.[1]

History
Dixons store in Sheffield in 2000

The first Dixons was opened by Charles Kalms in Southend as a photographic studio in 1937. The business flourished during the Second World War, as there was much demand for photographic services and family portraits.

By the end of the war, Kalms had opened seven more studios in the London area. The demands for portrait services decreased considerably after the war, and he was forced to close all but one studio in Edgware, north London. The company was taken over by his son Stanley Kalms, who was chairman until September 2002,[2]

On 5 April 2006, Dixons announced that there would no longer be any Dixons shops in Britain; shops would henceforth be named Currys.digital. This was said to signal a shift to more Internet based selling and to "reduce confusion". Dixons stores were to be retained in Ireland, and in locations such as airports, and the Dixons website would continue.

Dixons named shops in Ireland were also discontinued in August 2008, being renamed Currys (not Currys.digital, however, and with a new Currys logo). A Dixons.ie internet site was set up. Dixons branches in airports were re branded as Dixons Travel from January 2009,[3] and the new format was rolled out to many airports in the United Kingdom.

Closure

In October 2012, Dixons Retail announced that they would no longer trade using dixons.co.uk website.[4] All customers were redirected to Currys and PC World websites. The orders and agreements purchased on dixons.co.uk will continue to be honoured by Currys and PC World sites.

References
  1. Cheers! (7 August 2008). "Electrical store Dixons to be rebranded under Currys name". Irish Independent. Retrieved 23 July 2009.
  2. http://nsg.fiftylessons.com/executives/Stanley_Kalms%5B%5D
  3. "DGSi adopts Dixons Travel brand tests new PC World and Currys formats". Marketing Magazine. 20 January 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  4. http://www.retail-week.com/companies/dixons/dixonscouk-online-brand-ditched/5041529.article


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