Dixons
Encyclopedia
Dixons is an online retailer in the United Kingdom
and Ireland
. It is owned by Dixons Retail plc.
With its origins in a photographic shop opened by Charles Kalms
, the chain had a store in most towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. On 5 April 2006, Dixons announced that they were removing the brand from the high street (except in Ireland) and would only be using the Currys
brand, branded as Currys.digital
. DSG Ireland followed suit in August 2008.
in Southend
as a photographic studio in 1937. The business flourished during the Second World War
, as there was much demand for photographic services and family portraits. By the end of the war Kalms had opened seven more studios in the London
area. The demands for portrait services decreased considerably after the war, and he was forced to close all but one studio in Edgware
, north London. The company was taken over by his son Stanley Kalms, who was chairman until recently, and remains president for life.
On 5 April 2006 Dixons announced that there would no longer be any Dixons shops in Britain; shops would henceforth be named Currys.digital
. This was said to signal a shift to more Internet-based selling and to "reduce confusion". Dixons stores were to be retained in Ireland, and in locations such as airports, and the Dixons website would continue. Dixons-named shops in Ireland were also discontinued in August 2008, being renamed Currys
(not Currys.digital, however, and with a new Currys logo). A Dixons.ie internet site was set up.
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...
and Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is owned by Dixons Retail plc.
With its origins in a photographic shop opened by Charles Kalms
Charles Kalms
Charles Kalms was a British retailer and founder of the Dixons chains that expanded to become the UK's largest electrical retail chain.-Career:Kalms opened the first Dixons photographic studio at 32 High Street, Southend-on-Sea...
, the chain had a store in most towns and cities across the UK and Ireland. On 5 April 2006, Dixons announced that they were removing the brand from the high street (except in Ireland) and would only be using the Currys
Currys
Currys is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is owned by Dixons Retail plc. It specialises in selling home electronics and household appliances, with 295 superstores and 73 high street stores...
brand, branded as Currys.digital
Currys.digital
Currys Digital is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom, that is owned by DSG International plc.With its origins in a photographic shop opened by Charles Kalms, the chain now has a store in most towns and cities across the UK and Ireland...
. DSG Ireland followed suit in August 2008.
History
The first Dixons was opened by Charles KalmsCharles Kalms
Charles Kalms was a British retailer and founder of the Dixons chains that expanded to become the UK's largest electrical retail chain.-Career:Kalms opened the first Dixons photographic studio at 32 High Street, Southend-on-Sea...
in Southend
Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea is a unitary authority area, town, and seaside resort in Essex, England. The district has Borough status, and comprises the towns of Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh-on-Sea, North Shoebury, Prittlewell, Shoeburyness, Southchurch, Thorpe Bay, and Westcliff-on-Sea. The district is situated...
as a photographic studio in 1937. The business flourished during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, as there was much demand for photographic services and family portraits. By the end of the war Kalms had opened seven more studios in the 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...
area. The demands for portrait services decreased considerably after the war, and he was forced to close all but one studio in Edgware
Edgware
Edgware is an area in London, situated north-northwest of Charing Cross. It forms part of both the London Borough of Barnet and the London Borough of Harrow. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
, north London. The company was taken over by his son Stanley Kalms, who was chairman until recently, and remains president for life.
On 5 April 2006 Dixons announced that there would no longer be any Dixons shops in Britain; shops would henceforth be named Currys.digital
Currys.digital
Currys Digital is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom, that is owned by DSG International plc.With its origins in a photographic shop opened by Charles Kalms, the chain now has a store in most towns and cities across the UK and Ireland...
. This was said to signal a shift to more Internet-based selling and to "reduce confusion". Dixons stores were to be retained in Ireland, and in locations such as airports, and the Dixons website would continue. Dixons-named shops in Ireland were also discontinued in August 2008, being renamed Currys
Currys
Currys is an electrical retailer in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is owned by Dixons Retail plc. It specialises in selling home electronics and household appliances, with 295 superstores and 73 high street stores...
(not Currys.digital, however, and with a new Currys logo). A Dixons.ie internet site was set up.