History
The Lewis Group's origins date back to 1934 when the first Lewis store was opened in Woodstock, Cape Town.
| 1930's | |
|---|---|
| 1934: | Latvian-born Meyer Lewis buys 'Woodstock Auction Mart' in Cape Town. |
| 1936: | The name changes to M. Lewis & Company and new furniture is introduced to its range of products. |
| 1940's | |
| 1946: | Lewis is incorporated on the JSE under the name 'Lewis Stores Limited'. The household furnishing businesses and the entire issued share capital of M. Lewis and Company (Pty) Ltd is acquired from Meyer, Jack and Israel Lewis. Shares are listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange to raise capital for expanding the business in South Africa. |
| 1947: | GUS plc enters the South African retail furniture market by acquiring a controlling interest in Lewis and Barons Furnishers Limited. Lewis is subsequently de-listed. |
| 1950's | |
| 1950: | A programme of expansion commences and runs over the next seven years. |
| 1957: | The Lewis Group has 55 stores trading under the names 'Barons', 'Excelsior Meubels', 'Lewis' and 'Universal Stores' (the latter being a credit clothing chain with nine stores). |
| 1960's and 1970's | |
| 1969-1972: | Lewis Group establishes branches in Botswana, Namibia and Swaziland |
| 1972: | Lewis Group acquires a furniture chain of about 50 stores from Edcon, which is rebranded 'Dan Hands'. Its clothing chain, Universal Stores, is sold to Edcon. |
| 1973: | The number of stores in the Group reaches 227. |
| 1980's and 1990's | |
| 1980-1990: | Further expansion takes place with the Lewis Group growing by an additional 100 stores. Lewis Lesotho is established. |
| 1994: | The Lewis Group's financial services arm is established through wholly-owned subsidiary, Monarch Insurance. |
| 1997: | The Lewis Group decides to move away from the lower end of the market and 130 Dan Hands stores are converted to Lewis stores. |
| 1998: | The Best Electric chain is launched to sell specialised electrical products in six stores in high traffic areas. A credit application scoring system is implemented. |
| 2000's | |
| 1999 - 2000: | The Group embarks on a major investment in information and technology systems. |
| 2003: | The Lewis Group acquires the entire issued share capital in Lifestyle Living, which has 18 stores serving a higher income market. |
| 2004: | The Lewis Group lists on the JSE with GUS Plc retaining a controlling interest. |
| 2005: | GUS Plc disposes of its remaining 50% stake in the Lewis Group. |
| 2006: | Lewis opens its 500th store |
| 2008: | Best Electric chain rebranded as Best Home and Electric |
| 2009: | The number of stores in the Group nationally sits at 535 |