John George Sears

John George Sears (1870–1916) was a shoe manufacturer and the founder of Sears plc, which was one of the United Kingdom's largest retail businesses.

Career[]

Born in Northampton and educated at the local elementary school, John Sears became an apprentice with the Manfield Company.^[1] In 1891 he set up his own business as a boot-maker with the help of his younger brother, William, trading under the name J. Sears & Co.^[1] In 1897 he opened his first retail outlet and by 1900 he had established his first shop in London.^[1] He expanded the business rapidly particularly on the retail side and soon had 2,000 shops branded as Trueform.^[2]

In 1913 he bought Collingtree Grange in Northamptonshire.^[1] The House was demolished in the mid-20th century and the grounds now form part of Collingtree Park with a golf course. He died in 1916 at the early age of 46 and is buried at St.Columba's Church in Collingtree.^[1]

Family[]

In 1896 he married Caroline Wooding and they had a daughter and two sons.^[1]

References[]

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f John George Sears at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
^ Why old shoe retailers are on their uppers Daily Telegraph

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[odnb-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f John George Sears at Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

[2] Why old shoe retailers are on their uppers Daily Telegraph

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