mothercare

A chain of retail stores specializing exclusively in products for expectant mothers and children up to the age of eight. British origin network; now, by way of a franchise, it is distributed in many countries of the world - in Europe, Asia, Africa.

Founder mothercare there was one Selim Zilkha, a native of Baghdad who grew up in Lebanon and then moved to the United States. In 1960, Selim comes to the UK, where, a year later, he opens a store in Kingston selling maternity clothes, prams and furniture for children's rooms. According to other information, Selim simply bought an existing store of goods for mothers and children, slightly modified it and renamed it mothercare (translated from English, "maternal care"). In the future, the assortment expands, clothes for children, toys, hygiene products appear. New stores are starting to appear in other cities. By 1969 there were over a hundred of them. And in 1972 mothercare becomes a public company.

In 1982, there was a merger with another retail chain - Habitatspecializing in household goods. So it appears Habitat Mothercare plc. By that time, Selim had already lost interest in his offspring, sold his share and returned to the United States.

In 1986, another merger takes place, this time with British Home Stores and the resultant appearance Storehouse plc. More acquisitions and mergers follow. But the result of everything is the rebranding of 2000, when the leading brand becomes mothercare, and the name of the holding changes to mothercare plc.

To date, the network mothercare is one of the largest in its area. Already carried out not only the sale of third-party products, but also products under its own brand. In 2007, the company was noted for the fact that a social network was launched Gurgle (www.gurgle.com). Her audience is young parents who want to exchange experiences or just communicate. Thus, the company expects to once again draw public attention to the brand. mothercare.