Major department store founded in Birmingham brought back to life to joy of shoppers

The historic department store Rackhams was a key part of retail life for Brummies for decades - and it’s making a comeback.

The high-end store opened in the city in 1881, becoming part of Harrods group in 1955, which later got bought out by House of Fraser. The Rackhams store on Corporation Street was also known for its eye-catching window displays.

The Rackhams brand and name was used in Birmingham until 2000, when it was eventually phased out by House of Fraser.

The store is returning to British shopping in a new guise: a new, independently owned, online-only department store under new ownership, with the Rackhams trademark registered to the business for retail services.

Unfortunately, a store won’t be opening, as the familiar name is returning in a digital-form only.

Built from the ground up for today’s customer, Rackhams will offer a curated mix of designer labels, boutique discoveries and everyday essentials — with free delivery on every order.

What’s been said about the relaunch?

Mark Jordan, CEO at Rackhams, said: “At Rackhams, our marketplace-first approach is not a side project — it is the business. Because of that, we put equal weight on the experience for both our customers and our partners. Unlike bolt-on marketplaces, which rarely command the time and resources needed to deliver real pre- and post-sales support, we are built from the ground up to make that support central.

That’s why we can promise an exceptional experience at every stage. Having previously built an online retail business to more than £100 million in annual turnover, I wanted to take those lessons in scaling and apply them to a new kind of department store.”

What to expect at Rackhams

• Digital-first convenience: a modern, online-only department store experience
• Curated choice: designer brands, boutique labels and everyday essentials across fashion, beauty, home & garden
• Fair partner terms: straightforward marketplace policies with no hidden fees or onboarding charges
• One experience: unified checkout, communications and support for every order
• Customer perks: free delivery on every order and responsive UK-based support

For many Brits and Brummies, the name will ring a bell from high-street days and seasonal window displays. Today, Rackhams.com invites that recognition into a more modern setting a newly built, digital-first destination.

Rackhams, a name deeply intertwined with Birmingham’s retail history, was a symbol of elegance and sophistication in it’s golden years. Standing tall on Corporation Street, it was a beacon of high-end retail.

The rich history of Rackhams dates back to 1851 when it first opened as a retail drapery shop at 78 Bull Street, Birmingham. The business flourished, and in 1881, John Rackham and William Matthews took the reins. The store saw significant expansion in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

World War II brought challenges when bombs destroyed a third of the store in 1940. Despite this setback, the business rebounded and proceeded with the plans for the new store which was opened in several stages between 1960 and 1966.

The enlarged Rackham's store was extremely successful becoming one of the most important department stores in the city.

However, in 2003, the Rackhams name was retired and replaced by House of Fraser.

You can visit the website, here,