Kaleidoscope (retailer)
Encyclopedia
Kaleidoscope is a catalogue and online based retailer specialising in women’s fashion and accessories, but also stocking homewear and electricals. Kaleidoscope is owned by Freemans Grattan Holdings (previously named Otto UK), which is in turn owned by Otto GmbH
– one of the largest retailers in the world with over 50,000 employees at 123 companies across more than 20 countries.
Freemans Grattan Holdings largely operates in the UK through brands including Freemans, Grattan, Kaleidoscope, Oli, Look Again, Bon Prix and Witt. The company also owns Hermes (Previously named Parcelnet) – A European home delivery courier company
, and traded as their ‘Book Club’. This division was better known as BCA (Book Club Associate). In 1982 Grattan purchased both the Kaleidoscope name and the mailing list. The operation was managed and run from a location in Leicester
with both computer and distribution resource being used in Bradford
, from Grattan, as it is today.
In 1985 Grattan purchased the Scotcade operation which was in Bridgnorth, Shropshire
, and this is where Kaleidoscope relocated to and operated from with both Companies under one roof. The next few years saw the business develop and the acquisition of Aspect (a similar operation to Scotcade), which was originally based in Wetherby
. This growth led to the formation of a strong Direct Mail Division. During this time Grattan, under the direction of David Jones (MD), had merged with Next who were based in Leicester and managed by George Davies (retailer)
- who is now synonymous with the ‘George’ brand in Asda
stores. As a result of the Next site having sizeable office space Kaleidoscope returned to Leicester in 1989.
1991 saw the current owners, Otto GmbH, purchase Grattan Plc
, with Kaleidoscope part of this deal. The Direct Mail Division remained in Leicester, but moved from the Next site to a new location in 1994-1995. It was decided in March 1997 that Kaleidoscope should move to Bradford where group synergies could be utilised. This move actually took place in August 1997 resulting in a separate office space on the third floor of Anchor House, Bradford, housing the Kaleidoscope operation.
In December 2008, Otto UK became Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH) to celebrate many years of trading and embrace a strong British heritage. Kaleidoscope is one the key brands which form FGH. The business has seen some large growth with a gross annual turnover of £4m in 1982 increasing to its current figure of approximately £100m. The work force today operates with approximately 60 personnel, with the resources of FGH playing a vital supporting role.
With over 25 years of brand heritage, unsurprisingly the product offering has evolved over this time with the main focus now on distinctive fashion for style conscious women. The wider product range also includes fashion accessories, bedding and soft furnishings along with homewares and gardening.
Kaleidoscope is a catalogue and online retailer targeting affluent women aged predominantly 45+ with an interest in fashion and homes. Approximately half of all demand is generated online and growing this is a key focus moving forward.
Otto GmbH
The Otto group, or Otto , is the world's largest mail order company, operating in more than 20 countries. The family of executive board chairman Michael Otto owns the majority of the company. The company is based in Hamburg, Germany...
– one of the largest retailers in the world with over 50,000 employees at 123 companies across more than 20 countries.
Freemans Grattan Holdings largely operates in the UK through brands including Freemans, Grattan, Kaleidoscope, Oli, Look Again, Bon Prix and Witt. The company also owns Hermes (Previously named Parcelnet) – A European home delivery courier company
History
Kaleidoscope was originally a division of W H SmithW H Smith
WHSmith plc is a British retailer, headquartered in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. It is best known for its chain of high street, railway station, airport, hospital and motorway service station shops selling books, stationery, magazines, newspapers, and entertainment products...
, and traded as their ‘Book Club’. This division was better known as BCA (Book Club Associate). In 1982 Grattan purchased both the Kaleidoscope name and the mailing list. The operation was managed and run from a location in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
with both computer and distribution resource being used in Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, from Grattan, as it is today.
In 1985 Grattan purchased the Scotcade operation which was in Bridgnorth, Shropshire
Shropshire
Shropshire is a county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. It borders Wales to the west...
, and this is where Kaleidoscope relocated to and operated from with both Companies under one roof. The next few years saw the business develop and the acquisition of Aspect (a similar operation to Scotcade), which was originally based in Wetherby
Wetherby
Wetherby is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Wharfe, and has been for centuries a crossing place and staging post on the Great North Road, being mid-way between London and Edinburgh...
. This growth led to the formation of a strong Direct Mail Division. During this time Grattan, under the direction of David Jones (MD), had merged with Next who were based in Leicester and managed by George Davies (retailer)
George Davies (retailer)
George Davies , is an English fashion designer and retailer.Davis headed Next from its creation in the 1980s, before moving on to start the fashion label 'George at Asda' in the 1990s...
- who is now synonymous with the ‘George’ brand in Asda
Asda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
stores. As a result of the Next site having sizeable office space Kaleidoscope returned to Leicester in 1989.
1991 saw the current owners, Otto GmbH, purchase Grattan Plc
Grattan plc
Grattan is a British catalogue clothing retailer based in Bradford, UK with 18 stores and 2 main catalogues and a number of specialty catalogues. Grattan has approximately 2,600 employees....
, with Kaleidoscope part of this deal. The Direct Mail Division remained in Leicester, but moved from the Next site to a new location in 1994-1995. It was decided in March 1997 that Kaleidoscope should move to Bradford where group synergies could be utilised. This move actually took place in August 1997 resulting in a separate office space on the third floor of Anchor House, Bradford, housing the Kaleidoscope operation.
In December 2008, Otto UK became Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH) to celebrate many years of trading and embrace a strong British heritage. Kaleidoscope is one the key brands which form FGH. The business has seen some large growth with a gross annual turnover of £4m in 1982 increasing to its current figure of approximately £100m. The work force today operates with approximately 60 personnel, with the resources of FGH playing a vital supporting role.
With over 25 years of brand heritage, unsurprisingly the product offering has evolved over this time with the main focus now on distinctive fashion for style conscious women. The wider product range also includes fashion accessories, bedding and soft furnishings along with homewares and gardening.
Kaleidoscope is a catalogue and online retailer targeting affluent women aged predominantly 45+ with an interest in fashion and homes. Approximately half of all demand is generated online and growing this is a key focus moving forward.