COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5231

Paint, Glass, and Wallpaper Stores

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

14companies1884–1978founding years14still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedThe Sherwin-Williams CompanyFoundedThe Sherwin-Williams Company
1884
FoundedAVA AG (Allgemeine Handelsgesellschaft der Verbraucher AG)FoundedAVA AG (Allgemeine Handelsgesellschaft der Verbraucher AG)
1892
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
FoundedEthan Allen Interiors, Inc.FoundedEthan Allen Interiors, Inc.
1932
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedHechinger CompanyFoundedHechinger Company
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedGroupe Castorama-Dubois InvestissementsFoundedGroupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedGIB GroupFoundedGIB Group
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedThe Home Depot, Inc.FoundedThe Home Depot, Inc.
1978
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.
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

The Sherwin-Williams Company →
Active · founded 1884
The Sherwin-Williams Company, "America's Paint Company," is the largest producer of paints, varnishes, and specialty…
The Sherwin-Williams Company →
Active · founded 1884
The Sherwin-Williams Company, "America's Paint Company," is the largest producer of paints, varnishes, and specialty…
AVA AG (Allgemeine Handelsgesellschaft der Verbraucher AG) →
Active · founded 1892 · Germany
Active throughout Germany and in the Netherlands, AVA AG (Allgemeine Handelsgesellschaft der Verbraucher AG) is one of…
AVA AG (Allgemeine Handelsgesellschaft der Verbraucher AG) →
Active · founded 1892 · Germany
Active throughout Germany and in the Netherlands, AVA AG (Allgemeine Handelsgesellschaft der Verbraucher AG) is one of…
Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Ethan Allen, Interiors, Inc.
Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc. →
Active · founded 1932
Ethan Allen, Interiors, Inc.
Hechinger Company →
Active · founded 1959
One of the leading retailers in the do-it-yourself industry, Hechinger Company is also one of the industry pioneers.
Hechinger Company →
Active · founded 1959
One of the leading retailers in the do-it-yourself industry, Hechinger Company is also one of the industry pioneers.
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements →
Active · founded 1969 · France
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements operates the leading chain of DIY (do-it-yourself) and home improvement…
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements →
Active · founded 1969 · France
Groupe Castorama-Dubois Investissements operates the leading chain of DIY (do-it-yourself) and home improvement…
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
GIB Group →
Active · founded 1974 · Belgium
GIB Group, Belgium's top retailer, is active in four sectors: supermarkets and hypermarkets; do-it-yourself (DIY) home…
The Home Depot, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Home Depot, Inc.
The Home Depot, Inc. →
Active · founded 1978
The Home Depot, Inc.
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