Galbraith supermarkets
Encyclopedia
Galbraith and Sons was a retailing company based in Paisley
, Scotland
. The company grew to over 220 stores, establishing their own food production plants to supply their stores. Galbraith's were acquired in 1954 by Home and Colonial, becoming part of the Allied Suppliers Group. Galbraith's survived as one of the Scottish trading names for Allied Suppliers until 1987, when it disappeared as part of the Argyll Supermarkets re-branding to Safeway Stores
.
in 1894. Within 6 years the company had 12 stores and had expanded to over 59 shops by 1919. To minimise capital outlay the stores (usually located in Tenement Blocks
) were rented, designed in a uniform style and had narrow shop frontages. The store network grew rapidly, by 1939 the company had over 159 grocery branches and 12 butchers shops. Along with a "provisions" window, staple items such as tea, sugar and bakery goods were advertised with the emphasis on price. By the time of the sale to Home and Colonial the store network had expanded to over 220 stores and was regarded as the leading independent grocery business in the west of Scotland
) closely followed by a third warehouse (across the River Clyde in Govan
, Glasgow).
) to supply their own stores following a dispute with their former supplier, J and J Swann. By 1911 a second bakery was added in Govan to supply the Glasgow
branches. Meat Production was established at the George Street warehouse in 1896 when two ham curers were employed, closely followed by sausage making. Tea blending (by hand) was undertaken by Galbraith's (one of the few retailers to purchase tea directly and blend). Preserve manufacturing (and pickle manufacturing) was added in 1918 following a dispute with James Robertson.
for £2,340,000.00, becoming a principal Scottish subsidiary of the Allied Suppliers network.
Under Allied Suppliers the bakery and pickle factory were quickly sold to their respective management. By 1956 the sausage and cooked meats factory was transferred to the Richmond Sausage Company (becoming their major regional Scottish factory). Allied Suppliers preserve manufacturing was concentrated at Galbraith's Paisley
premises.
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The company grew to over 220 stores, establishing their own food production plants to supply their stores. Galbraith's were acquired in 1954 by Home and Colonial, becoming part of the Allied Suppliers Group. Galbraith's survived as one of the Scottish trading names for Allied Suppliers until 1987, when it disappeared as part of the Argyll Supermarkets re-branding to Safeway Stores
Safeway (UK)
Safeway was a chain of supermarkets and convenience stores in the United Kingdom. It started as a subsidiary of the American Safeway Inc., before being sold off in 1987....
.
Stores
Galbraith's Stores first shop was established in Linwood Village, PaisleyPaisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
in 1894. Within 6 years the company had 12 stores and had expanded to over 59 shops by 1919. To minimise capital outlay the stores (usually located in Tenement Blocks
Apartment
An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...
) were rented, designed in a uniform style and had narrow shop frontages. The store network grew rapidly, by 1939 the company had over 159 grocery branches and 12 butchers shops. Along with a "provisions" window, staple items such as tea, sugar and bakery goods were advertised with the emphasis on price. By the time of the sale to Home and Colonial the store network had expanded to over 220 stores and was regarded as the leading independent grocery business in the west of Scotland
Distribution
The stores were originally served by a single warehouse (in Paisley). As the store network grew a second warehouse was added (in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
) closely followed by a third warehouse (across the River Clyde in Govan
Govan
Govan is a district and former burgh now part of southwest City of Glasgow, Scotland. It is situated west of Glasgow city centre, on the south bank of the River Clyde, opposite the mouth of the River Kelvin and the district of Partick....
, Glasgow).
Manufacturing
Manufacturing was a key success to their growth. By owning their manufacturing, the company increased the profitability and secured supplies to their stores. The company established a bakery in 1895 at George Street, PaisleyPaisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
) to supply their own stores following a dispute with their former supplier, J and J Swann. By 1911 a second bakery was added in Govan to supply the Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
branches. Meat Production was established at the George Street warehouse in 1896 when two ham curers were employed, closely followed by sausage making. Tea blending (by hand) was undertaken by Galbraith's (one of the few retailers to purchase tea directly and blend). Preserve manufacturing (and pickle manufacturing) was added in 1918 following a dispute with James Robertson.
Acquisition
The company was acquired in 1954 by Home and Colonial StoresHome and Colonial Stores
Home & Colonial Stores was once one of the United Kingdom's largest retail chains. Its formation of a vast chain of retail stores in the late 1920s is seen as the first step in the development of a UK food retail market dominated by a small number of food multiples.-History:The business was founded...
for £2,340,000.00, becoming a principal Scottish subsidiary of the Allied Suppliers network.
Under Allied Suppliers the bakery and pickle factory were quickly sold to their respective management. By 1956 the sausage and cooked meats factory was transferred to the Richmond Sausage Company (becoming their major regional Scottish factory). Allied Suppliers preserve manufacturing was concentrated at Galbraith's Paisley
Paisley
Paisley is the largest town in the historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland and serves as the administrative centre for the Renfrewshire council area...
premises.