Arcadia Group History

Arcadia Group has its roots in the last century but its aspirations very firmly in the 21st. Today we are a modern, fast-moving business employing 27,000 people and the latest retailing techniques to develop our brands and reach customers via our seven brands, our online stores and growing number of international franchise outlets.

The Group was founded more than 100 years ago by entrepreneur Montague Burton, one of the forefathers of modern retailing. Our timeline

1900
Lithuanian émigré Montague Burton arrives in Britain and borrows £100 to set up his own menswear business in Chesterfield. By 1906 he has started to establish a chain of shops selling both ready-to-wear and bespoke suits. In 1910 the business relocates to Leeds - where Arcadia Group retains a major office location today.

1914
The First World War provides Burton with the opportunity to expand by supplying clothing for nearly a quarter of the armed forces. By the end of the conflict, Burton employed 124 men and 108 women at the Leeds headquarters.

1921
Burton begins to develop the Hudson Road factory in Leeds, now the location for Arcadia Group's accounting and facilities teams. Within 15 years it becomes the largest clothing factory in Europe. Burton becomes known for his philanthropic approach, appointing a welfare office at Hudson Road, providing workers with meals, a dentist and an eye specialist (to treat eye strain brought on by close needle-work). Burton receives a knighthood in 1931 for 'services to industrial relations'.

1945
By the end of the Second World War Burton was estimated to be clothing around a fifth of the British male population.
1946
Burton makes its first move into womenswear with the acquisition of the Peter Robinson fashion business. Meanwhile, the business continues to expand.

1952
Sir Montague dies. At the time of his death his company is the largest multiple tailor in the world with 616 stores.

1964
Topshop is launched as the young fashion department within Peter Robinson.

1969
The business changes its name to the Burton Group.

1970
Topman launches as a young male counterpart to Topshop.

1971
The Group acquires Evans.

1974
The first standalone Topshop launches.

1979
Dorothy Perkins joins the Group, strengthening the business' foothold in the mainstream womenswear market.

1997
Arcadia Group is born out of the old Burton Group after the business demerges, divesting its department store business to focus on its fashion multiples.

1999
The Group acquires Wallis, Miss Selfridge and Outfit to complete today's line-up of exciting fashion brands.

2002 to today
In 2002 Arcadia Group becomes part of Taveta Investments, owned by Sir Philip Green and his family, and joins the largest privately-owned UK retail group.