Prestige Retailer Launches Special Event to Celebrate 50 years Wakefield, England – March 10th 2014 Yorkshire based retailer Peter Jones, this month celebrates 50 years of trading by holding its biggest ever Event. Collectors from across the United Kingdom are expected to descend on Wakefield’s Cedar Court Hotel on the weekend of March 22nd/23rd to view a massive showcase from the industry’s top collectable brands. Back in 1964, Peter Jones, an ambitious 21 year old entrepreneur, born and brought up in Hull, opened his first China Shop in Wakefield’s Wood Street. Peter recalls those early days, “Success certainly didn’t come easy. From the word go, it was a case of sheer hard graft. I had to do much of the heavy work myself - the unloading, the packing. The delivering |I had to do in a beaten-up old post office van!” In no time, the business had expanded, with a string of Peter Jones shops across Yorkshire. In 1977, a national event took place which was to change the shape of the business for good - The Queen’s Silver Jubilee. The demand for Royal Commemoratives gave a massive boost to the company’s fledgling Mail Order business. “It really was a turning point”, says Peter. “Within a matter of months, we had a burgeoning worldwide customer base, dedicated to collecting prestige Royal Commemoratives.” Since then, Mail Order has grown to unprecedented levels. Increasingly, Peter Jones have responded to the demand created by numerous Royal Weddings, Jubilees and Royal Births by commissioning their own Exclusive Limited Editions. For the first thirty years or so, Peter Jones, offered a wide array of China and Crystal from the world’s leading brands. More recently, however, anticipating the decline in the traditional sectors, Peter spotted the opportunity to diversify, breaking into areas such as Cookware, Jewellery, Handbags and Homewares. But of course, these days retail success doesn’t only depend on running a chain of shops. Peter explains, “We’ve long been aware of the need to establish a ‘multi-channel’ offering. We now have a fully developed on-line presence, comprising two websites, fully supported by social media activity.” With eleven shops, and a thriving Mail Order and Internet business, Peter Jones 100 plus staff are kept busy! “Without doubt,” says Peter, “we would be nowhere without our wonderful staff. Be it in the warehouse, the call centre or the shops, we’ve always been blessed with a team who are dedicated to providing customers with outstanding service.” Peter also recognises the role of ‘family’ in the success of the business. Initially, he was partnered by his wife Daphne, but now, with son-in-law Andrew and daughter Nicky at the helm, Peter acknowledges that he’s now able to enjoy a few well-earned holidays! All in all, Peter looks back with great fondness on his fifty years in retail. A Yorkshireman through and through, he’s proud of the success that his company has earned through a combination of entrepreneurship and hard work. “I’ve loved every minute”, he says “I’ve

been very lucky to be involved in such a marvellous business and am tremendously excited about meeting customers both old and new at our Collectors Weekend.” And, given the chance, would he go through it all again? The answer comes without hesitation – “Definitely!”

Further Information Contact Information Peter Jones China Unit B Kirkgate Business Centre Wakefield W.Yorkshire WF1 5DL Tel - +44 (0)1924 362510 Outside Office Hours - +44 (0)7703 472207 Email – Enquiries@PeterJonesOnline.com www.PeterJonesOnline.com Collectors Celebration Weekend details Venue – The Cedar Court, Wakefield Date – Saturday March 22nd 11.00 am – 4.00 pm Sunday March 23rd 10.30 am – 4.00 pm