John George Sears
Encyclopedia
John George Sears was a shoe manufacturer and the founder of Sears plc
, which was one of the United Kingdom
's largest retail businesses.
and educated at the local elementary
school, John Sears became an apprentice with the Manfield Company. In 1891 he set up his own business as a boot-maker with the help of his younger brother, William, trading under the name J. Sears & Co. In 1897 he opened his first retail outlet and by 1900 he had established his first shop in London
. He expanded the business rapidly particularly on the retail side and soon had 2,000 shops branded as Trueform.
In 1913 he bought Collingtree Grange
in Northamptonshire
. The House was demolished in the mid-20th century and the grounds now form part of Collingtree Park
with a golf course
. He died in 1916 at the early age of 46 and is buried at St.Columba's Church in Collingtree.
Sears plc
Sears plc was a large British-based conglomerate. The Company was listed on the London Stock Exchange and was once a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index but it was acquired by Sir Philip Green in 1999.-History:...
, which was one of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's largest retail businesses.
Career
Born in NorthamptonNorthampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
and educated at the local elementary
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
school, John Sears became an apprentice with the Manfield Company. In 1891 he set up his own business as a boot-maker with the help of his younger brother, William, trading under the name J. Sears & Co. In 1897 he opened his first retail outlet and by 1900 he had established his first shop in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He expanded the business rapidly particularly on the retail side and soon had 2,000 shops branded as Trueform.
In 1913 he bought Collingtree Grange
Collingtree Park
Collingtree Park is a district in the Borough of Northampton in the East Midlands of England.-Location:Collingtree Park is located at the extreme south of the urban area, due north of the village of Collingtree, which itself is in the Northampton borough...
in Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire
Northamptonshire is a landlocked county in the English East Midlands, with a population of 629,676 as at the 2001 census. It has boundaries with the ceremonial counties of Warwickshire to the west, Leicestershire and Rutland to the north, Cambridgeshire to the east, Bedfordshire to the south-east,...
. The House was demolished in the mid-20th century and the grounds now form part of Collingtree Park
Collingtree Park
Collingtree Park is a district in the Borough of Northampton in the East Midlands of England.-Location:Collingtree Park is located at the extreme south of the urban area, due north of the village of Collingtree, which itself is in the Northampton borough...
with a golf course
Golf course
A golf course comprises a series of holes, each consisting of a teeing ground, fairway, rough and other hazards, and a green with a flagstick and cup, all designed for the game of golf. A standard round of golf consists of playing 18 holes, thus most golf courses have this number of holes...
. He died in 1916 at the early age of 46 and is buried at St.Columba's Church in Collingtree.