The Edinburgh Woollen Mill

With over 70 years’ experience in the production of natural fibre products, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill or EWM offers a superb selection of stylish and classic clothing for men and women. From traditional knits to its renowned half-priced cashmeres, the Langholm-based retailer also owns popular designer clothing brands like Jane Norman, Peacocks and Austin Reeds.

Corporate History

Originally named The Langholm Dyeing and Finishing Company, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill was founded by businessman, Drew Stevenson.

The First Retail Store

Although established in 1946, it wasn’t until the 1970s that the group started making its way onto the retail scene – with their first retail shop opening in Randolph Place, Edinburgh.

Shortly afterwards, an Edinburgh Woollen Mill store located at 81 English Street, Carlisle opened its doors for the first time –it still stands strong and is serving the public to this day.

Company Management

Since the 1970s, the company was owned by different equity holdings, until Grampian Holdings took sole ownership in 2001. Shortly after, a management team led by Philip Edward Day bought and took over the company – which then became a private company owned entirely by the Day family.

Expansions in Fashion Retail

Under the control of the Days, the company started to expand its retail empire. EWM acquired the assets of Ponden Mill and Rosebys (now Ponden Home), the UK’s leading supplier of homeware and bedding; Proquip, which specialises in waterproof clothing; and Jane Norman, a UK-based clothing retailer for women.

The company also purchased Peacocks in 2012, which was followed by another fashion company, Austin Reed in 2016. Just this year, news spread that EWM is also eyeing up Jaeger – a high street retailer known for using wool in their summer fabrics.

EWM Stores

Producing fine clothing at an affordable price, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill’s diverse clothing range includes anything from classic wardrobe styles to contemporary fashion designs. Due to the company’s consistent growth, EMW has hundreds of retail concerns throughout the UK – with 265 mainstream high stores, selling clothing for men and women. It also has 88 specialty tourist stores and outlets situated in notorious tourist locations, in which 60% are based in Scotland.

Now catering to a larger scope of customers, the company also has 27 destination shopping sites to date; and an online store which opened in October 2008.

Exclusive Brands

With its extensive range of renowned clothing brands, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill provides an unrivalled variety of exciting and stylish clothing collections, including:

• Country Rose
• Honor Millburn
• Country Casuals
• James Pringle
• Harris Tweed
• Isle
• Lochmere Pure Cashmere
• Emma Blake
• G. Field
• One Valley
• Hector Russell

Together with the other fashion retail brands controlled by The Edinburgh Woollen Mill, the company produces top-of-the-line clothing that offers excellent value for money. Stocked exclusively by the Langholm-based retailer, renowned ladies and menswear brands provide timeless pieces that are perfect for sophisticated and tasteful customers.

With attention to detail and keeping their finger on the retail industry pulse, The Edinburgh Woollen Mill has used shop fittings and fixtures from KAS Shopfittings to enhance the overall shopping experience for their discerning clients. To learn more about our wide range of products, please call 01793 754230.