Domestic Electric Rentals
DER, television rentals
1939 Company formed by Thorn Electrical Industries to enable Thorn to enter the television business which was seen as less seasonal than the manufacture of radio receivers.
Post-war the company became the television rental arm of Thorn
From 1939 to 1947, DER had only one outlet.
By 1954 it 10 branches.
1959 Thorn acquired an interest in Multi-Signals Ltd, a company which established relay systems in six towns
1961 Tucana Ltd was formed as a subsidiary of Thorn to take over retail shops where the owners were retiring or the shops were threatened by bankruptcy or liquidation.
1964 Multi-Signals became a wholly owned subsidiary of Thorn.
By 1968 DER had 397 branches. Many of the sets rented through DER were made by Thorn in the summer months when other orders were not available. Tucana had 206 retail shops. Multi-Broadcast had 87 outlets in London, the Home Counties, and the Midlands
1968 The Competition Commission reported on the proposed merger between Thorn Electrical Industries Ltd and Radio Rentals Ltd. Thorn took over Radio Rentals and merged it with their radio/television activities.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Competition Commission report [1]