Rumbelow & Descendants
Rumbelows Electrical

Rumbelows Electrical & Rentals (UK)

Rumbelows was an electrical and electronics retailer in the United Kingdom, that once rivalled Currys, Dixons and Comet. The company was established in 1949 by Sydney Rumbelow when he opened his first shop in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.. The chain was extended to more shops throughout the 1950s, before being acquired by Thorn Electrical Industries in the early 1960s. 

In 1969, Thorn extended the Rumbelows name across other regional chains it had bought, including Fred Dawes, NEMS and Strothers. 

In 1989, the remaining Rumbelow stores were sold to Radio Rentals, which had merged with Thorn Electrical Industries the previous year. With its core business removed, Rumbelows sought a new identity as a more conventional (non-rental) retailer, even adding computers to the product mix.

From 1990 to 1992, Rumbelows were the title sponsor of the English Football League Cup, an association football professional competition. 

However,  the business continued to make losses and Thorn closed the remaining 285 Rumbelows shops 1995.

Louise Harben

24 August 2007

"As it goes, it was my grandfather Sydney Rumbelow that started an electrical shop in Hatfield, Herts  trading under his own name in the early 1950's.  He expanded over the next 10 years and when he sold the company the new owners changed the name to 'Rumbelows' along with purching other shops and changing their trading names to 'Rumbelows' also."

The Rumbelows Story 

SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF LEADING MAKES NOW! 

Throughout the country the name of Rumbelows and its Associated Companies has symbolised unrivalled value in the field of radio, television and domestic electrical appliances. 

This reputation will still further be enhanced with the new super store which has just been opened at the Runcorn Shopping City. Here in spacious, taste- ful surroundings and attractive modern displays a tremendous variety of well known branded goods are on sale at the keenest competitive prices. 

Throughout this part of the country the names of Associated Companies within the Rumbelows Group are well knows, as for example N.E.M.S. in Liverpool, Strothers in the Wirral, Fred Dawes, Rothery Radio, Vernon Cooper, White & Swales- to name just a few. 

The Rumbelows Group is one of the largest retail chains in the country with over 300 shops throughout Great Britain. Customers here enjoy the advantages of dealing with a national group. which by bulk buying, is able to offer the greatest possible values in TV. radio and domestic electrical appliances, together with the finest after sales service. 

CONTINUOUS DEMONSTRATIONS 

Apart from the valuable saving on prices, the advantage of shopping at Rumbelows is that all merchandise on show can be demonstrated at the request of the customer. By seeing models in actual operation the respective performances of several makes of television sets, washing machines, etc., can be examined and judged in a practical way under the best possible conditions. 

In addition advice and expert information on the different features of various brands of goods is always available from the helpful sales staff. And with a Rumbelow bargain there are no hidden extras, Installation and delivery are included in the basic price. 

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION 

The reputation of Rumbelows is founded on customer satisfaction and the maintenance of a first class after-sales service. Servicing of television, radio sets and other appliances is carried out speedily and efficiently by an experienced works-trained team of engineers using the most up-to-date equipment and a flect of modern vehicles. 

On colour television as well as black and white Rumbelows are able to offer the most competitive terms in a wide range of the newest branded sets. Again the accent is on FIDELITY service with speedy maintenance available whenever required. 

Although the Rumbelow shops are part of a National Organisation, they regard the personal touch of supreme importance and their stores retain the friendliness and atten- tion of the small family business, Shoppers quickly discover the truth of their slogan You get a better deal at Rumbelows'. 

Rumbelows shops shut with loss of 3,000 jobs

By Wendy Holden

The electrical goods chain Rumbelows, which has lost heavily for  several years, is to close with the loss of nearly 3,000 jobs. Thorn EMI, parent company of the 285 Rumbelows stores and 36 FONA television and hi-fi rental outlets, said the shops will be sold and the 2,900 staff made redundant by June 30.

All rental and servicing agreements will be transferred to Thorn's 640 Radio Rentals stores. The decision came despite Thorn EMI announcing rise in profits by nearly third to GBP 343-7 million. Thorn said Rumbelows had been a small player in a brutally competitive market.

It had failed to find a buyer for the chain and would now concentrate on its music and Radio Rentals businesses.

Sir Colin Southgate, chairman of Thorn EMI  who announced that Rumbelows losses in the last two years had been around £12 million a year, said yesterday: "We deeply regret the job losses. Thorn UK will honour its obligations to customers, suppliers and other third parties.

An official of the shop-workers' union Usdaw said the closures followed the remoseless trend in gthe retailing industry.

Rumbelows is a victim of the price war and the growing number of out-of-town superstores selling a wider range of electrical goods.

In 1989 Thorn announced a shake-up of the chain with LPAS the closure of 30 stores, after pre-tax losses of £12 million: But it continued to see a steady decline in sales and in the number of its shops. When losses to the year ending March 1991 reached GBP16 million, Thorn announced that it was to close about 100 of its 500 Rumbelows branches, turning some over to its television rental chains.