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Redcats UK

A pionneer in home shopping

Membership

 

  • MOTA: Mail Order Traders’ Association of Great Britain
  • S.H.O.P.S: Safe Home Ordering Protection Scheme
  • IMRG: Interactive Media in Retail Group
  • Bradford Chamber of Commerce
  • Mid-Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce

 

 

Customer care contacts

January 10th 2008, Redcats UK announces that it wants to refocus and invest in web driven brands evolving in the direct home shopping market. As a consequence, Redcats UK will progressively cease operating its Empire Stores business. Redcats UK will then be fully focussed on developing the healthier direct home shopping market through its existing brands (La Redoute, Vertbaudet and Daxon) and through new development projects.

 

January 28th 2008, Redcats UK announces that Littlewoods Shop Direct Group intends to acquire the debtor book of the Empire Stores UK business as at the end of the current season's catalogue, anticipated to be in July 2008. Separately, the group will acquire the Empire Stores brand name and customer database subject to regulatory clearance.

 

Redcats UK is a leading player in the UK home shopping market. Redcats UK’s brand portfolio now includes the three French brands La Redoute, Vertbaudet and Daxon. 

 

La Redoute was launched in the UK in 1995; Vertbaudet was launched in January 1997, and the Daxon catalogue in July 1997.

 

History

 

Redcats UK has a fascinating history, which dates back to the 1800s.  The company was originally known as Empire and started its life as a small jewellery and fancy goods shop that was opened in 1831 by Antonio Fattorini, an enterprising young immigrant from northern Italy.  It went on to grow into a famous mail order company after the Fattorini family formed ‘Watch Clubs’ and then ‘Watch, Clock and Jewellery Clubs’.  Catalogues were issued and the members saved for 50 weeks to make a purchase.  This was the start of the Fattorini mail order business.

 

In 1910 the family decided to separate the mail order business from other activities and on June 28th 1910 Empire Stores Limited was formed. 

 

In 1991 Empire Stores Limited joined the PPR Group, with the La Redoute catalogue launching in the UK in 1995.  This was followed by Vertbaudet and Daxon in 1997.

 

In 1999 Empire Stores changed its name to Redcats UK, signaling it being part of the global Redcats Group and its multiple brands: Empire, La Redoute, Verbaudet and Daxon.

Future

Home shopping in the UK has experienced dramatic changes since the days when Empire was formed back in 1831.  The demise of credit customers – historically at the heart of the British mail order industry, and the arrival of e-commerce has turned the world of catalogues on its head. 

 

This presents real opportunities for Redcats UK and a chance for the company to take a bigger share of the market by focusing and capitalising on Internet shopping, marketing, merchandising and financial services.   

 

Redcats UK has met the challenges these changes have brought and transformed itself into a company for today.  It will continue with this transformation to meet and satisfy the needs of modern day UK home shoppers, become a more dynamic force, and to grow its market presence and share.

Locations

Redcats UK Head Office:
18 Canal Road
Bradford
BD99 4XB
Telephone: 01274 72 95 44
Fax: 01274 76 38 19

 

Horbury Road Contact Centre and Warehouse:
Horbury Road
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF2 8QT
Telephone: 01924 20 27 27
Fax: 01924 20 27 51

 

Kettlethorpe Warehouse and Distribution
Stanbridge Lane
Kettlethorpe
Wakefield
WF2 7YY
Telephone: 01924 24 17 17
Fax: 01924 24 17 51