Darty
Encyclopedia
Darty, founded in 1957 by the Darty family in France
, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK-based KESA Electricals Plc
specialising in Electrical retailing. The company has different operations across Europe
, the original being in France
and now in three other countries (in conjunction with KESA), Turkey
, Italy
, Switzerland
and Spain
.
Darty owns 209 stores, making it the second largest retailer of the KESA Group (the first is Comet
with 248 stores). These 209 stores equal 274,400 square metres of selling space. At the end of 2006, Darty had 10,848 employees.
Darty is the leader of specialized distribution of electronic products for the general public in France. Another of their slogans is to satisfy 100% of the customers. Darty France also provides a repair service guarantee, that if a product is broken in the first one or two years (depending on the product) Darty will fix it.
Kingfisher
In 1993, Darty was bought by Kingfisher plc
, which integrated Darty and Comet
, in a European entity based in Paris: Kingfisher Electricals S.A. (KESA). In 1999 this led to Darty opening up a commercial Internet site. This entity increased via acquisitions and, at the beginning of 2003, included Darty and But in France, Comet in the United Kingdom, BCC in the Netherlands, Vanden Borre in Belgium and Datart in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2006, Darty launched DartyBox, which is an ADSL internet, television
and telecommunications provider based on the network of French internet operator Completel.
, Darty owns and operates 6 stores and planning to raise this number to 12 before end of 2008. In Turkey, the first Darty store which is 1,500 square metres and has 58 employees, was opened in 2006.
operations of Darty own nine stores with 214 employees and 13,600 square metres of selling space. The stores include in Milan
, in Turin
, one in Piacenza
and others in Giussano
(MI), Cesano Boscone
(MI), Paderno Dugnano
(MI), Orio al Serio
(BG), MM Sanbabila (MI), Alessandria, Moncalieri (TO), Bicocca (MI), Rho (MI), Cinisello (MI), Affi (VR), Vado Ligure (SV) and other 2 in Turin.
operations of Darty include three stores in Crissier
, Etoy
and Villeneuve
which adds up to 4,400 square metres of selling space. This operation has 114 employees.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the UK-based KESA Electricals Plc
Public limited company
A public limited company is a limited liability company that sells shares to the public in United Kingdom company law, in the Republic of Ireland and Commonwealth jurisdictions....
specialising in Electrical retailing. The company has different operations across Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the original being in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and now in three other countries (in conjunction with KESA), Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
.
French operations
In France and LuxembourgLuxembourg
Luxembourg , officially the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg , is a landlocked country in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. It has two principal regions: the Oesling in the North as part of the Ardennes massif, and the Gutland in the south...
Darty owns 209 stores, making it the second largest retailer of the KESA Group (the first is Comet
Comet Group Plc
Comet is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom, which is owned by OpCapita and a series of investors, after its sale by Kesa Electricals. The group was founded in 1933 by George Hollingberry in Hull as Comet Battery Stores Limited...
with 248 stores). These 209 stores equal 274,400 square metres of selling space. At the end of 2006, Darty had 10,848 employees.
Darty is the leader of specialized distribution of electronic products for the general public in France. Another of their slogans is to satisfy 100% of the customers. Darty France also provides a repair service guarantee, that if a product is broken in the first one or two years (depending on the product) Darty will fix it.
The start of Darty (1957–1974)
In 1957, the Darty family — the father and his three sons, Nathan, Marcel and Bernard — managed a small store of textiles. The Darty brothers started to sell stock, and, to attract customers, they left the goods on the pavement. In a few days, the stock was liquidated. In 1967 the Darty brothers transferred to a larger warehouse.Regional expansion (1975–1992)
In 1988, the brains trust initiated an O.P.A, with the approval and the support of the founders of Darty, allowing the repurchase of the company by its employees (LMBO) and thus showing economic and social innovation. The operation was a success, since 90% of employees took part and controlled 56% of the capital. At the end of 1988 Darty opened its 100th store. KingfisherKingfisher plcKingfisher plc is a multinational retailing company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the largest home improvement retailer in Europe and the third-largest in the world...
and KESA periods (1993 - 2003 onwards)
In 1993, Darty was bought by Kingfisher plcKingfisher plc
Kingfisher plc is a multinational retailing company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the largest home improvement retailer in Europe and the third-largest in the world...
, which integrated Darty and Comet
Comet Group Plc
Comet is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom, which is owned by OpCapita and a series of investors, after its sale by Kesa Electricals. The group was founded in 1933 by George Hollingberry in Hull as Comet Battery Stores Limited...
, in a European entity based in Paris: Kingfisher Electricals S.A. (KESA). In 1999 this led to Darty opening up a commercial Internet site. This entity increased via acquisitions and, at the beginning of 2003, included Darty and But in France, Comet in the United Kingdom, BCC in the Netherlands, Vanden Borre in Belgium and Datart in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In 2006, Darty launched DartyBox, which is an ADSL internet, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and telecommunications provider based on the network of French internet operator Completel.
Turkey
In TurkeyTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, Darty owns and operates 6 stores and planning to raise this number to 12 before end of 2008. In Turkey, the first Darty store which is 1,500 square metres and has 58 employees, was opened in 2006.
Italy
ItalianItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
operations of Darty own nine stores with 214 employees and 13,600 square metres of selling space. The stores include in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, in Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
, one in Piacenza
Piacenza
Piacenza is a city and comune in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy. It is the capital of the province of Piacenza...
and others in Giussano
Giussano
Giussano is a comune in the Province of Monza and Brianza in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 25 km north of Milan...
(MI), Cesano Boscone
Cesano Boscone
Cesano Boscone is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 6 km southwest of Milan.Cesano Boscone borders the following municipalities: Milan, Corsico, Trezzano sul Naviglio.-Main sights:...
(MI), Paderno Dugnano
Paderno Dugnano
Paderno Dugnano is a town and comune in the province of Milano, in Lombardy. It is bounded by other comuni of Senago, Varedo, Cusano Milanino, Cormano, Nova Milanese, Bollate, Novate Milanese, Cinisello Balsamo....
(MI), Orio al Serio
Orio al Serio
Orio al Serio is a comune in the Province of Bergamo in the Italian region of Lombardy, located about 45 km northeast of Milan and about 4 km southeast of Bergamo.Orio al Serio Airport is located in the territory of the village....
(BG), MM Sanbabila (MI), Alessandria, Moncalieri (TO), Bicocca (MI), Rho (MI), Cinisello (MI), Affi (VR), Vado Ligure (SV) and other 2 in Turin.
Switzerland
SwissSwitzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
operations of Darty include three stores in Crissier
Crissier
Crissier is a municipality in the district of Ouest Lausannois in the canton of Vaud in Switzerland.It is a suburb of Lausanne.-History:Crissier is first mentioned in 1199 as Crissiaco. In 1228 it was mentioned as Crissie.-Geography:...
, Etoy
Etoy, Switzerland
Etoy is a municipality of the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, located in the district of Morges.-Geography:Etoy has an area, , of . Of this area, or 67.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 6.7% is forested...
and Villeneuve
Villeneuve, Vaud
Villeneuve is a municipality of the canton of Vaud in Switzerland, located in the district of Aigle.-Geography:Villeneuve has an area, , of . Of this area, or 26.7% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 55.2% is forested...
which adds up to 4,400 square metres of selling space. This operation has 114 employees.
See also
- Comet Group plcComet Group PlcComet is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom, which is owned by OpCapita and a series of investors, after its sale by Kesa Electricals. The group was founded in 1933 by George Hollingberry in Hull as Comet Battery Stores Limited...
- Sister company trading in the UK - Jean Sarkozy - husband of Jessica Sebaoun-Darty, heiress to the Darty fortune