Adams Childrenswear

Background

Updated: 17th February 2009

Adams Childrenswear was started in Birmingham in 1933 by Amy Adams. The company was operated by an independent retailer headed by Adams' son, Michael, for forty years until it was bought by Foster Brothers in 1973. Ten years later it was taken over by the Sears Group and had over two hundred stores open in England.

In 1997 Adams opened its first international franchise in Saudi Arabia. Stores in Cyprus, Greece, Eire, Finland and Slovakia followed. In 2002 after a deal with retailer Boots, Adams launched the chain of concessions 'Mini-Mode', which now has 327 concessions and its own online store. Following the success of Mini-Mode, Adams launched an online gift store for Christmas 2005 and an online school uniform store in January 2006. Adams website has now expanded further, and includes boyswear, girlswear, toddlerwear, babywear, occasionwear, schoolwear, skiwear, linen and accessories.

In 2007 Adams was bought by John Shannon, who previously owned Country Casuals and Stead and Simpson. David Carter Johnson was appointed as chief executive, his second stint with Adams. Carter Johnson was managing director of the company from 1982 to 1991 during which time sales increased from £10m to £130m. In Spring 2008 the company saw a 25% increase in sales for both boys and girls fashion ranges due to a series of changes including the new 'Kids love fashion' branding and store refits across the UK and Ireland.

Adams now has 500 UK distribution outlets and 103 international outlets across the Middle East and Europe.

In February 2009 Adams was again brought out of administration by Shannon, in a rescue deal that will see 200 Adams stores survive on the high street.