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Rackhams Returns as Marketplace-Only Department Store After 25 Years

The Birmingham-born brand has been relaunched online by Rackhams Retail Ltd, which reports rapid early growth from a partner-led model.

Overview

  • The retailer, founded in 1881 and retired around 2000 after integration into House of Fraser, has revived the name without reopening physical stores.
  • CEO Mark Jordan characterizes the venture as marketplace-first by design, built to serve both shoppers and third-party partners.
  • The company says it soft-launched in 2023, has onboarded more than 600 partners, and has shipped tens of thousands of orders in under a year.
  • Rackhams reports a catalogue of about 170,000 products across fashion, beauty, home and garden, with free delivery on every order.
  • Press coverage attributes the growth and range figures to company statements, as UK retail continues to explore marketplace models like those trialed by B&Q and BoohooMan.