Universal Stores, which would later be known as Great Universal Stores, was founded as a mail order business in Manchester in 1900. The name change, to the one we know today, took place in 1930, and in 1931 Great Universal Stores Limited was also listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Great Universal Stores
catalogue was one of the major players in the UK mail order sector for much of the last century. The business established a credit reference division, CNN (later to be renamed as Experian) in 1980, and also acquired the Argos
catalogue and stores in 1998.
In more recent years, the group name was changed to GUS plc in 2001, but in 2004, Great Universal Stores, the original cornerstone of the GUS business, was sold to the Barclay brothers. Great Universal is now, along with several other titles, including Littlewoods, Empire Stores and Kays, part of the Shop Direct group.
Two main catalogues are produced each year for the Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter seasons, but several seasonal leaflets are also produced, as well as additional online offerings.
"Great Universal offers a department store in the convenience of your own home with an attractive book and a user-friendly website.
The book stocks a huge range of fashion and homewares from kitchens and conservatories to jewellery, gifts and collectables. The website offers extended ranges online; including high fashion - 'Just in!' - and extended homewares - 'Web Extras'. The exclusive 'Web Extras' range includes the latest fashion, wedding outfits and fantastic deals on electrical items."
Great Universal offers all you could possibly need for the home and garden, gifts for all the family, as well as an extensive selection of fashions for men, women and children.
There is a dedicated offers section on the website, which brings together all items that have been reduced in price.
Orders from Great Universal are entitled to free standard (48 hour) delivery, and returns are also free. Customers can also apply to operate a credit account, which enables the cost of purchases to be spread over time. Customers with credit accounts can also benefit, from time to time, from ‘buy now pay later’ offers.
"Great Universal has so much choice. The sections on the website are clearly marked, and there is also a sale section so you can browse to see if any items have been reduced."
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