Catalogue Connections

The history of mail order and home shopping catalogues spans a number of centuries and criss crosses across continents. The very first mail order catalogue is believed to have been introduced by the great American founding father Benjamin Franklin. In 1774 he produced a catalogue selling scientific and academic books. Since those very early days, the whole concept of selling through mail order has been expanded and improved on by a number of innovative entepreneurs from all across the globe.

The mail order business nowadays spans many different types of product, from fashion and homewares to diy, books, cars and even houses. Here at Catalogue Connections we will concentrate on the history of the home shopping catalogue and the changes that have happened over the years. We will also try and show the humble beginnings of some very well known retail giants and the various mergers and aquisitions that have shaped their current business position in the home shopping and retail markets.

A list of mail order catalogues that have shaped the home shopping phenomenon of today :

United Kingdom

• Empire Stores ⇒ Shop Direct
• Shop Direct ⇒ Littlewoods
• Universal Stores ⇒ Great Universal ⇒ Shop Direct
• Hepworth ⇒ Next Directory
• JD Williams ⇒ Ambrose Wilson ⇒ Simply Be

• Redcats ⇒ La Redoute ⇒ Ellos
• Otto ⇒ Freemans ⇒ BonPrix
• 3 Suisses ⇒ Otto

• Sears & Roebuck