Menzies, John, & Co Ltd

Notes:

Established by John Menzies, d1879, in Edinburgh in 1833 as a bookseller, stationer, printseller and publisher, especially of guide books. 1855 started newspaper selling and from late 1850s established bookstalls in Scottish railway stations. From 1859 gave up other retailing in favour of wholesaling books, periodicals and newspapers. Subsequently opened wholesaling units throughout Scotland. From 1867 known as John Menzies & Co and incorporated 1906. 1928 resumed retailing via shops. 1959 acquired Wymans Ltd, leading wholesalers and retailers at London, and subsequently made numerous other acquisitions. 1960 reorganised as John Menzies (Holdings) Ltd. Converted to public company 1962 with Menzies family retaining control. c1997 sold retailing interests, later wholesaling. From late 1980s diversified into airport cargo and passenger handling and in 2022 world's largest internationally spread aviation services business [2023]