Mackay's Hotel, Rutherglen

M&Co Trading Limited, previously Mackays Stores Limited until its 2020 administration, (previously trading as Mackays, now trading as M&Co.) is a Scottish chain store selling women's, men's, and children's clothes, as well as small homeware products. Its head office is in Inchinnan, Scotland, though its main buying office is in London. Previously, its head office was at Caledonia House in Paisley.

Established in 1834 as pawnbrokers, Mackays switched to selling clothes in 1953 by brothers Len and Iain McGeoch. In 2005 the company rebranded as M&Co. to reflect a more modern image.
The chain operates over 300 stores and also has an online presence.

History

(Info source: Gale Directory of Company Histories: Mackays Stores Group Ltd.)
* 1834 – McGeoch family founds a pawnbroker business in Paisley, Renfrewshire.
* 1953 – Len and Iain McGeoch begin converting their six pawnshops to clothing stores.
* 1969 – 50 stores trading. The first store is opened in London, and within a year, a chain of seven stores is purchased, prompting expansion in the south of England.
* 1970 – Company acquires Ghinns Ltd., extending its retail clothing business in the London area.
* 1973 – Len and Iain McGeoch take over company from their father and adopt low-priced retail clothing format under Mackays name.
*Mid-1970s – 100+ stores trading. Head office and warehouse premises are acquired at Caledonia Street, Paisley.
* 1986 – Company acquires Apparel Affiliates Inc., owner of 140 retail clothing stores in the United States.
* Mid-1980s – 150+ stores. Mackays becomes one of the first multiple retailers to install full EPOS tills in all stores, allowing the capture of sales data and managing product replenishment. Continued growth with 160 stores in operation by 1985. International ventures are pursued with the purchase of a US company with 120 stores. Benetton stores are opened in Scotland, Ireland and Australia (later all closed).
* 1990 – Apparel Affiliates is forced to declare bankruptcy, and Mackays exits the US.
* 1992 – Len McGeoch returns from the United States to resume buying role.
* 1996 – A store in Poland is opened.
* Mid-1990s – 220 stores trading. A children's franchise is operated in China, and more stores open in Poland (both now closed).
* 1998 – Len McGeoch retires following the success of the brand, with Iain McGeoch taking over the family business.
* 2000 – Fashion sub-brand ''Kylie'' launches its teen girl website.
* 2001 – Iain McGeoch buys out his brother's share of the company. Mackays corporate website is launched.
* 2003 – The Laroque store chain in Coventry is acquired; a new upscale clothing format, M&Co, is launched.
* 2004 – Ten new M&Co. stores open featuring ladieswear.
* 2005 – Company begins converting all 270 stores to the M&Co. banner.
* January 2006 – 240 Mackays and 30 M&Co. stores operational in Britain.
* February 2006 – Ladieswear transactional website launched.
* 2007 – Most stores now converted to M&Co format. First Northern Ireland store opened in Belfast's Laharna Retail Park. Mackays moves to larger headquarters, from Paisley to nearby Inchinnan.
* March 2012 – The first of several international franchise stores open, beginning with the first of many in Dubai at the Dubai Mall, with further UAE expansion planned.

* August 2012 – Announcement of planned expansion into House of Fraser.
* 2013 – More international franchise stores opened, including The Strand Mall (Bulgaria) and Valletta (Malta).

In June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom, M&Co was reported to be seeking new backers amid a slump in sales. Professional services firm Deloitte, was supporting its hunt for new investors as the company explored sale options including a pre-pack administration.

In December 2022 M&Co went into administration with Teneo Financial Advisory as administrators.

List of closed or sold off locations

* Linlithgow
* Elgin Kids
* Greenock
* Gyle
* Bishop Auckland
* Knightswood
* Alloa
* Helston
* Huntingdon
* Ashington
* Houghton le Spring
* Bodmin
* Girvan
* Inverurie Childrens
* Gloucester
* Uxbridge
* Hull (Princes Quay)
* Redruth
* Sevenoaks
* Barnstaple
* Annan
* Carlisle
* Durham
* Kettering
* Tamworth (Co-OP)
* Witney
* Royal Wootton Bassett
* Kidlington
* Harpenden
* Leighton Buzzard
* Wantage
* Bideford
* Ross On Wye (Labels)
* Cowes
* Waterloovile
* Trowbridge
* Newmarket
* Bourne
* Great Malvern
* Knaresborough
* Sherborne
* Bicester
* Frome
* Stamford
* Whitchurch
* Yarm
* Batley Mill
* Oldham

Source:

See also

* Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on retail

References

External links

* – official site
Mackays
(archive)

{{DEFAULTSORT:MandCo.
Scottish brands
British brands
Companies based in Paisley, Renfrewshire
Retail companies of Scotland
Clothing retailers of the United Kingdom
1834 establishments in Scotland
Retail companies established in 1834