John Menzies
John Menzies plc (MEN-zeez, traditionally /ˈmɪŋɪs/ MING-iss) is a Scottish business established in 1833. It has two main divisions: Menzies Distribution and Menzies Aviation and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
John Menzies ran High Street and railway station shops, particularly in Scotland, through a retail division which dealt in newspapers, magazines, books, stationery and other products which was sold to rival WH Smith in the late 1990s.
History
The company was founded by John Menzies (1808–1879) of Edinburgh, a Victorian entrepreneur who built up his small newsagent business (established when he was 25 years old) into a national chain. Menzies died at his townhouse, 3 Grosvenor Crescent in Edinburgh's West End and was buried in Warriston Cemetery on the north side of the city.
In 1988 the business purchased 66 of the Martin Retail Group's largest stores in England, doubling John Menzies' floor-space overnight. These stores (which had previously traded as Martin the Newsagent, Lavells Newsagents, Lewis Meeson, RS McColl, Sperrings, and House of Andrew) were quickly rebranded as Menzies' stores. The retail operation was sold to W H Smith High Street (and some to WHSmith Europe Travel Retail) in 1998 to enable Menzies to concentrate on its distribution business.
John Menzies (disambiguation)
John Menzies plc is a Scottish distribution and aviation business, and former retailer.
John Menzies may also refer to:
