The history of House of Fraser can be traced back more than 160 years.
It all started in 1849, when Hugh Fraser and James Arthur opened a drapery shop in Glasgow. By 1941, what started out as a small local shop had acquired a number of businesses in Scotland and become House of Fraser Ltd.
The expansion continued and, in 1953, with Hugh Fraser's sons running the company, they added Binns Ltd to their portfolio, which extended their reach across Scotland and into the north of England. Four years later and House of Fraser had taken control of Harrods.
By 1971, a number of stores were taken on, some of which became brands such as Dickie & Jones, Rackhams and Cavendish House, while 1985 saw the company in the hands of new owners — the Fayeds. House of Fraser became a plc in 1994 and was floated on the stock exchange for £484 million.
Between 1997 and 2000, they launched their house brands, including Linea womenswear, menswear and homeware collections, as well as a Therapy womenswear range. Following the turn of the century, Jenners and Beatties department stores became part of the House of Fraser brand while, with the Highland Group now in control, they launched 12 new house brands. House of Fraser went global in 2013, meanwhile, with their first international store opening in Abu Dhabi's World Trade Centre Mall.