The Halford Cycle company is the great survivor of the both the cycle, motor cycle and motor car industry. Today its main headquarters are just outside Birmingham in Redditch.
Founded as a local hardware store in Birmingham in 1892 by F W Rushbrooke, Halfords has since grown to establish its position as the leading retailer of car parts, car enhancement, cycles and travel solutions in the UK.In November 1911 they opened a purpose built head office and warehouse in Moor Street, Birmingham. In 1912 this building was enlarged to 31,500 square feet and Halfords proudly pronounced themselves at the largest retailer of cycle accessories in the Empire. Its Birmingham retail branch was at 10 Worcester Street in 1912.
By 1933 the company had 199 depots within England and Wales but none in Scotland its most Northerly branches being in Carlisle and Newcastle. Its head office was now 239 Corporation Street
Halfords produced a catalogue every year until the second world war, after the war the first new catalogues were not produced until 1954, there being a catalogue for motor cyclists and motorists and a separate catalogue for cycllists.By 1954 the depots were renamed branches and they had expanded into Scotland with branches in Aberdeen,Dumfries, Dundee, Dunfermline, Edinburgh(2) and Glasgow.
By 1957 the company had 233 branches and the catalogue was a single
issue for 'all road users'. The head office was now at 45 Carpenter
Road. The 1958 catalogue shewed 234 branches. By 1960 the Head Office
was 271-273 Corporation Street and the company had 236 branches
1960's
It was not until 1965 that the business became known as Halfords Limited. The years that followed saw Halfords open its 300th store and become part of the Burmah Group in 1969. The business moved to a custom-built head office and warehouse in Redditch, Worcestershire, where it remains to this day.
1980's
The eighties was a decade of change for Halfords, as it was one of the first retail groups to make the move from the high street to edge of town locations, recognising customers' needs for bigger stores, more choice and convenient parking. It also introduced its well-known blue, red and white corporate identity. Two more changes of ownership followed with the Ward White Group purchasing the business in 1984 and then the acquisition of the Group by The Boots Company in 1989.
1990's & 2000's
Since
then, Halfords has gone from strength to strength, leading the
revolution in out-of-town retailing, generating consistent growth in
sales and profits over the last 16 years and clearly establishing itself
as the UK market leader in its retail field. Within new style "Arcade" stores, customers benefit from added features including sub-shops for Bikehut, Audio, Parts, Ripspeed and Touring. More product ranges, specialist staff who are enthusiasts in their particular areas and a brighter, more contemporary shopping environment, are all attracting customers into stores.
In August 2002, Halfords was acquired by CVC Capital Partners from The Boots Company.
In June 2004, Halfords was floated on the London Stock Exchange as a FTSE top 250 company.
Halfords employs approx. 9000 people supporting 402 stores in the UK and the Republic of Ireland.