A beloved department store that disappeared more than two decades ago is back, with a twist. Rackhams opened in Birmingham back in all the way back in 1881 and was an iconic retail destination in the West Midlands city.
It was bought by Harrods in the 1950s and later sold to House of Fraser. Under their ownership, the Rackhams brand name was used for several stores in the North of England and the Midlands in 1970s.
House of Fraser dropped the brand name in 2000, with locations switched to their own trading name.
But the brand is now under new ownership and has decided to move with the times, returning as an online-only business offering free deliveries.
Shoppers can find everything from home and garden products to fashion and beauty items, and browse both premium brands with everyday favourites.
Rackhams chief exective Mark Jordan said: “At Rackhams, our marketplace-first approach is not a side project — it is the business.
“Because of that, we put equal weight on the experience for both our customers and our partners.
“Unlike bolt-on marketplaces, which rarely command the time and resources needed to deliver real pre- and post-sales support, we are built from the ground up to make that support central.
“That’s why we can promise an exceptional experience at every stage.
“Having previously built an online retail business to more than £100 million in annual turnover, I wanted to take those lessons in scaling and apply them to a new kind of department store.”