| 1868 |
Owen Owen established the business with the opening of a drapery shop on London Road in Liverpool. The store became known for its commitment to customer service and high-quality merchandise, setting the standard for the company’s future growth.
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| 1924 |
The company opened a landmark flagship department store at Clayton Square, Liverpool. This site became the focal point of the brand and one of the largest retail destinations in the North West of England.
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| 1980s |
At its peak, Owen Owen operated 21 department stores across the United Kingdom and expanded internationally by acquiring the G.W. Robinson chain in Ontario, Canada.
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| 1991 |
The business was purchased by Philip Green, marking a significant transition from family-led ownership to a more aggressive corporate management style focused on restructuring.
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| 1994 |
Philip Green sold the business to its existing management team. This period saw the company attempting to modernize its brand identity to compete with rising high street fashion retailers.
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| February 2005 |
Owen Owen Ltd purchased the department store division of Merchant Retail Group plc for approximately £5 million. This acquisition added historic names such as Joplings and Robbs to the corporate portfolio.
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| 18 May 2007 |
Ownership was transferred to Vergo Retail, a new entity led by David Thompson, as part of a takeover of the remaining Owen Owen department stores.
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| 7 May 2010 |
Vergo Retail was placed into administration. MCR was appointed as administrators to oversee the liquidation of assets after failing to secure a rescue deal for the group.
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| June 2010 |
After 142 years of retail operations, the final stores associated with the Owen Owen group officially ceased trading and closed their doors permanently.
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