COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 453220

Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores

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

12companies1912–1994founding years12still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedUniversal Studios, Inc.FoundedUniversal Studios, Inc.
1912
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedAmerican Greetings CorporationFoundedAmerican Greetings Corporation
1944
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedMNS, Ltd.FoundedMNS, Ltd.
1955
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedBirthdays Ltd.FoundedBirthdays Ltd.
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
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.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedParty City CorporationFoundedParty City Corporation
1990
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedCelebrate Express, Inc.FoundedCelebrate Express, Inc.
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

Universal Studios, Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Universal Studios, Inc.
Universal Studios, Inc. →
Active · founded 1912
Universal Studios, Inc.
American Greetings Corporation →
Active · founded 1944
Founded in 1906 as a small Cleveland jobber's shop, American Greetings Corporation, which advertises itself as "the…
American Greetings Corporation →
Active · founded 1944
Founded in 1906 as a small Cleveland jobber's shop, American Greetings Corporation, which advertises itself as "the…
MNS, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1955
MNS, Ltd.
MNS, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1955
MNS, Ltd.
Birthdays Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · United Kingdom
Birthdays Ltd.
Birthdays Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · United Kingdom
Birthdays Ltd.
Party City Corporation →
Active · founded 1990
Party City Corporation is the top U.S.
Party City Corporation →
Active · founded 1990
Party City Corporation is the top U.S.
Celebrate Express, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Celebrate Express, Inc., sells children's party supplies, costumes, and clothing over the Internet and via mail-order…
Celebrate Express, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Celebrate Express, Inc., sells children's party supplies, costumes, and clothing over the Internet and via mail-order…
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Starting a gift, novelty, and souvenir stores company now

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