Fenwick is a British chain of department stores that was founded in 1882 by John James Fenwick in Newcastle. It is a private company that has been under the Fenwick family since its beginning in 1882. The first Fenwick store was opened in 1882 and sold dresses, mantles, silk goods, trimmings, and fabrics. The business only expanded and became a department store when Fred Fenwick, the eldest son of John Fenwick joined the company in 1890. In other words, it was Fenwick who pioneered the concept of department stores in the United Kingdom. Fred Fenwick had his training in retail in Paris and is said to have been significantly affected by Le Bon Marche, which was considered as one of the first department stores.
Fenwick offers an excellent selection of fashionable goods that is not available at other department stores, especially in fashion stores. Every one of Fenwick’s stores is stocked to cater to the local market. Fenwick has 11 stores across the UK, and its store in Newcastle upon Tyre is one of the largest department stores in the United Kingdom. All Fenwick’s stores offer fashion apparel for men and women, and some of its stores also stock children and babies’ products.
The store in Newcastle is Fenwick’s first and biggest store, it has eight restaurant and cafes and includes a large cosmetics department. The other Fenwick stores are located at; Bond Street in London, Leicester, Brent Cross, York, Tunbridge Wells, Windsor, Bracknell, Colchester, Kingston upon Thames and Canterbury.