Rackhams

The Historic Department Store

• Founding: Rackhams originated from a retail drapery business started in Birmingham, England, in 1851. The department store known as Rackhams & Co. was officially founded in 1881 by John Rackham and William Matthews.
• A Symbol of Luxury: In its golden years, particularly in its home city of Birmingham, Rackhams was considered a high-end, "posh" department store, celebrated for its glamorous atmosphere and window displays.
• Corporate Ownership: The business changed hands several times:
  • It was acquired by Harrods in 1955.
  • House of Fraser bought Harrods (and thus Rackhams) in 1959.
  • During the 1970s, House of Fraser used the Rackhams name for several stores across the Midlands and Northern England.
• The Name Retires: The Rackhams name was eventually retired and replaced by House of Fraser in its remaining physical stores around the year 2000. The main Birmingham building is still occupied by a House of Fraser store, which is currently planned for redevelopment.

The Modern Relaunch

• Digital Revival: After an absence from the high street, the Rackhams brand has been revived under new, independent ownership.
• Current Status: Rackhams is now an online-only digital marketplace. It operates as a curated e-commerce platform featuring multiple sellers
• Product Offering: The online store offers a mix of designer brands, boutique labels, and essentials across categories like:
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Home & Garden
• Business Model: The new business is built on a "marketplace-first" approach, focusing on a unified customer experience, support, and offering perks like free delivery on every order.