COMPANY·HISTORIES
SIC 5731

Radio, Television and Consumer Electronics Stores

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

22companies1909–1984founding years22still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedKingfisher plcFoundedKingfisher plc
1909
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.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedLechmere Inc.FoundedLechmere Inc.
1948
FoundedSun Television & Appliances Inc.
1949
FoundedFretter, Inc.FoundedFretter, Inc.
1951
FoundedLowe's Companies, Inc.FoundedLowe's Companies, Inc.
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedABC Appliance, Inc.
1964
FoundedTops Appliance City, Inc.FoundedTops Appliance City, Inc.
1970
FoundedJ&R Electronics Inc.FoundedJ&R Electronics Inc.FoundedRoberds Inc.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedCampo Electronics, Appliances & Computers, Inc.FoundedCampo Electronics, Appliances & Computers, Inc.
1972
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.
FoundedREX Stores Corp.
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

Kingfisher plc →
Active · founded 1909 · United Kingdom
Based in London, Kingfisher plc is a major European retailing and property group.
Kingfisher plc →
Active · founded 1909 · United Kingdom
Based in London, Kingfisher plc is a major European retailing and property group.
Lechmere Inc. →
Active · founded 1948
Lechmere Inc.
Lechmere Inc. →
Active · founded 1948
Lechmere Inc.
Sun Television & Appliances Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Sun Television & Appliances Inc., Ohio's leading consumer electronics and appliance discounter, expanded its operations…
Sun Television & Appliances Inc. →
Active · founded 1949
Sun Television & Appliances Inc., Ohio's leading consumer electronics and appliance discounter, expanded its operations…
Fretter, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951
Fretter, Inc.
Fretter, Inc. →
Active · founded 1951
Fretter, Inc.
Lowe's Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
Lowe's Companies, Inc., is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United States (trailing Home Depot…
Lowe's Companies, Inc. →
Active · founded 1952
Lowe's Companies, Inc., is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the United States (trailing Home Depot…
ABC Appliance, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
ABC Appliance, Inc., a leading retail supplier of radio, television, and consumer electronics, operates establishments…
ABC Appliance, Inc. →
Active · founded 1964
ABC Appliance, Inc., a leading retail supplier of radio, television, and consumer electronics, operates establishments…
Tops Appliance City, Inc. →
Active · founded 1970
Starting with a tiny store in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Leslie S.
Tops Appliance City, Inc. →
Active · founded 1970
Starting with a tiny store in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Leslie S.
J&R Electronics Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
J&R Electronics Inc.
J&R Electronics Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
J&R Electronics Inc.
Roberds Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Characterized as "one of the most successful retailers of appliances in the Dayton area" by the Dayton Daily News,…
Roberds Inc. →
Active · founded 1971
Characterized as "one of the most successful retailers of appliances in the Dayton area" by the Dayton Daily News,…
Campo Electronics, Appliances & Computers, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Campo Electronics, Appliances & Computers, Inc.
Campo Electronics, Appliances & Computers, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Campo Electronics, Appliances & Computers, Inc.
REX Stores Corp. →
Active · founded 1984
REX Stores Corp.
REX Stores Corp. →
Active · founded 1984
REX Stores Corp.
Build It Today

Starting a radio, television and consumer electronics stores company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.