COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 443120

Computer and Software Stores

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

14companies1937–1998founding years10still active4no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedDixons Group plcFoundedDixons Group plc
1937
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedCircuit City Stores, Inc.FoundedCircuit City Stores, Inc.
1949
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedRadioShack CorporationFoundedRadioShack Corporation
1960
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedBest Buy Co., Inc.FoundedBest Buy Co., Inc.
1966
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedDeLorme Publishing Company, Inc.FoundedDeLorme Publishing Company, Inc.
1976
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedMicrosoft CorporationFoundedMicrosoft Corporation
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
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.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
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.
FoundedElectronics Boutique Holdings CorporationFoundedElectronics Boutique Holdings Corporation
1998
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

Dixons Group plc →
Defunct · founded 1937 · United Kingdom
Dixons Group plc is the largest specialized retailer of consumer electronics in Europe and controls more than 1,250…
Dixons Group plc →
Defunct · founded 1937 · United Kingdom
Dixons Group plc is the largest specialized retailer of consumer electronics in Europe and controls more than 1,250…
Circuit City Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Circuit City Stores, Inc., is the nation's second largest retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, and…
Circuit City Stores, Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Circuit City Stores, Inc., is the nation's second largest retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, and…
RadioShack Corporation →
Active · founded 1960
RadioShack Corporation--known as Tandy Corporation from its founding in 1960 until mid-2000--is one of the largest…
RadioShack Corporation →
Active · founded 1960
RadioShack Corporation--known as Tandy Corporation from its founding in 1960 until mid-2000--is one of the largest…
Best Buy Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1966
Minnesota-based Best Buy Co., Inc.
Best Buy Co., Inc. →
Active · founded 1966
Minnesota-based Best Buy Co., Inc.
DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc.
DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc.
Microsoft Corporation →
Active · founded 1981
With annual revenues of more than $32 billion, Microsoft Corporation is more than the largest software company in the…
Microsoft Corporation →
Active · founded 1981
With annual revenues of more than $32 billion, Microsoft Corporation is more than the largest software company in the…
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1998
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corporation is the holding company for a chain of video-game stores operating under the…
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corporation →
Defunct · founded 1998
Electronics Boutique Holdings Corporation is the holding company for a chain of video-game stores operating under the…
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