history

1976   

The business is started by the Peer Family with one retail store in the Western Cape, the LA Jean chain

1990

The Group grows to 15 stores nationally

1996

 The company is the first BEE trading company to list on the JSE

1997

 The brand distribution market is expanded with the acquisition of Skye Products, one of the largest distributors of branded apparel such as Mille, Converse and Dickies

1998

 The Polo trademark, an exclusive premium brand, is acquired

1998

 Further expansion with a focus on branded businesses occurs with the acquisition of Carter Harris (Pty) Ltd, one of the country’s leading suppliers of corporate clothing, and Oxygen, a group of 13 niche retail stores, bringing the total to 40 stores across the country

1999

 The UK-based corporate clothing businesses, Corporate Image International and Allen & Douglas, are acquired

2000

 The company changes its name to LA Group Ltd, with the retail division playing a smaller role in the overall business

2001

 The Group sells its retail business

2003

 The Group is structured as Branded Distribution, South Africa Corporate Clothing and International Corporate Clothing business units

2005

 BEE stakes in companies outside the core business are acquired, and the Gateway transaction signifies the first investment in the ICT sector

2006

 The Group delists from the JSE and restructures strategically to become an investment holding company

2007

 Brought a number of Polo licencees in-house

2008

 The Group acquires the UK based Griffin House Hotel

2009

 The Group merges its UK based corporate clothing business (Allen & Douglas) with that of Wensum plc