HOW IT ALL BEGAN - A LOOK AT EVERYDAY BRANDS

Many years ago, I worked for a  famous men's tailoring firm called Austin Reed whose office address was 14 Red Lion Square, Holborn, London. I remember very well how I enjoyed sitting in that funny little square (with so much history of its own) to eat my sandwiches.

Little did I know (or particularly care) about the founder of this company, or indeed, its history.  Now, in my dotage, I'm enjoying researching into this amazing firm which was started in 1853 by Thomas Reed, an ambitious Cornishman who arrived in Reading, Berkshire to open a hat shop. His son, William, expanded the enterprise to include a hosiery outlet and became sole London agent for the "Registered Perfect Fitting Shirt", perhaps we could say that this was an early attempt to develop the later popular off-the-peg shirts. Within twenty years, the business had become Thomas Reed & Son, hosiers and hats, and the family firm was certainly on the way up, as by 1881, they moved into double-fronted premises, at 100, Broad Street Reading (next door to the post office)! 


William's son, Austin Leonard, followed in the family tradition, first  gaining invaluable experience and inspiration from time spent in America, working for the fabulous Wanamaker's departmental store in Philadelphia (the first in the world to use price-tags), and returning to London. The 26-year-old energetic, ambitious Austin persuaded his dad to buy the firm William Stambrook & Son, a leading shirtmaker and hosier in Fenchurch Street, London, and on 7 July 1900, Austin Reed opened for business at 167 Fenchurch Street, London. 

Market research, marketing, fabulous window displays, and great attention in learning exactly what his customers wanted - a maxim so relevant today - brought success and riches beyond anything Austin Reed's great grandfather, Thomas, could have possibly imagined. This is such a great story. but have much reading and research to do, and had better get on with it!