International Stores

of London

1878 Founded by Hudson Kearley (later Viscount Devonport) and Gilbert Augustus Tonge as the International Tea Co., with the objective of selling tea direct to consumers rather than through wholesalers. International's main blenders were Ridgways

1895 The International Tea Company's Stores was formed for acquiring and extending the wholesale tea, provision and food produce importers of Messrs Kearley and Tonge including their 200 stores in various parts of the country

The company was subsequently re-branded International Stores

1929 Ridgways became part of the group with the acquisition of Star Supply Stores

1972 Acquired by BAT Industries

1973 Acquired Price Rite chain adding stores to the International brand.

1977 Acquired Wallis Supermarkets which added a further 100 stores.

1979 After acquiring the large footprint Mac Food Centres from Unilever's closure of Mac Fisheries, the chain created a new brand, Mainstop, to develop the new superstore division in 1980.

However, BAT decided to sell any business that failed to progress and so the company was sold off in chunks.

1884 Acquired by the Dee Corporation

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