COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 452990

All Other General Merchandise Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

30companies1902–1986founding years30still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedTarget CorporationFoundedTarget Corporation
1902
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedKmart Corporation
1912
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedGUS plc
1917
FoundedEdgars Consolidated Stores Ltd.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
FoundedFred's, Inc.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedSociété Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A.FoundedSociété Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A.
1948
FoundedNorm Thompson Outfitters, Inc.
1949
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedCarrefour SAFoundedFamily Dollar Stores, Inc.
1959
FoundedShopKo Stores Inc.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedBig Lots, Inc.FoundedBig Lots, Inc.
1967
FoundedGrupo EroskiFoundedWal-Mart Stores, Inc.
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedTuesday Morning Corporation
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
FoundedDollar Tree Stores, Inc.
1986
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Target Corporation →
Active · founded 1902
Target Corporation is the fourth largest retailer in the United States, operating 1,556 stores in 47 states.
Target Corporation →
Active · founded 1902
Target Corporation is the fourth largest retailer in the United States, operating 1,556 stores in 47 states.
Kmart Corporation →
Active · founded 1912
Kmart Corporation, which entered 2002 as the second largest U.S.
Kmart Corporation →
Active · founded 1912
Kmart Corporation, which entered 2002 as the second largest U.S.
GUS plc →
Active · founded 1917 · United Kingdom
GUS plc, formerly the Great Universal Stores plc, is one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom and also is a…
GUS plc →
Active · founded 1917 · United Kingdom
GUS plc, formerly the Great Universal Stores plc, is one of the leading retailers in the United Kingdom and also is a…
Edgars Consolidated Stores Ltd. →
Active · founded 1929 · South Africa
Edgars Consolidated Stores Ltd.
Edgars Consolidated Stores Ltd. →
Active · founded 1929 · South Africa
Edgars Consolidated Stores Ltd.
Fred's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
Fred's, Inc.
Fred's, Inc. →
Active · founded 1947
Fred's, Inc.
Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A. →
Active · founded 1948 · Luxembourg
Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A.
Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A. →
Active · founded 1948 · Luxembourg
Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A.
Norm Thompson Outfitters, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Norm Thompson Outfitters, Inc.
Norm Thompson Outfitters, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Norm Thompson Outfitters, Inc.
Carrefour SA →
Active · founded 1959 · France
As the world's second largest retailer, Carrefour SA operates more than 10,300 stores in France and abroad under more…
Carrefour SA →
Active · founded 1959 · France
As the world's second largest retailer, Carrefour SA operates more than 10,300 stores in France and abroad under more…
Family Dollar Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Family Dollar Stores, Inc., is a chain of discount stores that offer inexpensive merchandise for family and home needs…
Family Dollar Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Family Dollar Stores, Inc., is a chain of discount stores that offer inexpensive merchandise for family and home needs…
ShopKo Stores Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Shopko Stores Inc.
ShopKo Stores Inc. →
Active · founded 1961
Shopko Stores Inc.
Big Lots, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
Big Lots, Inc., the nation's largest closeout retailer, sells everything from consumables, seasonal products and…
Big Lots, Inc. →
Active · founded 1967
Big Lots, Inc., the nation's largest closeout retailer, sells everything from consumables, seasonal products and…
Grupo Eroski →
Active · founded 1969 · Spain
Grupo Eroski is the distribution arm and the largest part of Spain's powerful cooperative group Mondragon Corporacion…
Grupo Eroski →
Active · founded 1969 · Spain
Grupo Eroski is the distribution arm and the largest part of Spain's powerful cooperative group Mondragon Corporacion…
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Tuesday Morning Corporation →
Active · founded 1974
In spite of its name, Tuesday Morning Corporation does not always open its stores on Tuesday mornings.
Tuesday Morning Corporation →
Active · founded 1974
In spite of its name, Tuesday Morning Corporation does not always open its stores on Tuesday mornings.
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.
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