MAPLIN ELECTRONICS PLC

Maplin Electronics is the UK’s biggest and best specialist retailer of consumer electronics. Our national network of 185 stores are a goldmine of useful consumer technologies and gadgets. The Maplin product range covers cables, communication, components, computing, home & car, music, power, Sat Nav, tools and TV & Satellite. As the specialists in consumer electronics, Maplin Electronics is proud to offer the best and most informed customer advice on the high street. Its team of over 2, 000 customer service staff help thousands of customers make informed choices about technology purchases each and every day; from technology enthusiasts, to complete novices. Launched by two technology enthusiasts in 1972 who were frustrated by the lack of good quality electronics components, Maplin Electronics quickly became the experts’ choice, with a reputation for the best product range and expertise.

Though the company has grown massively since launching over thirty years ago, its reputation as the UK’s only true experts in consumer electronics is still at the heart of Maplin Electronics today. It began in a bedroom in Essex. Today Maplin can be seen on most high streets and retail parks across the UK and Ireland. One thing has not changed: the company really knows its customers. Finding electronic components wasn't easy in 1972. Many companies advertised items but most were government or industrial surplus and although cheap, were often inconsistent in their quality and availability. As electronics enthusiasts themselves, Roger Allen and Doug Simmons were well aware of the failings of existing suppliers. "There were plenty of catalogues, but you didn't necessarily get what was in them." said Roger. "We thought there must be lots of people like us - people trying to produce professional equipment or hobbyists looking for a reliable source of quality components." Joined by Roger's wife, Sandra, and using a bedroom in the Allen's index in Rayleigh, Essex, they set up Maplin Electronic Supplies. Maplin printed its first 28-page catalogue, took a small advertisement in an electronics magazine and waited for the phone to ring. "We were the only people at the time to say phone us and we'll send you a free catalogue." Roger recalled. "We thought we'd have to get extra phone lines in to cope with the demand, but in the first week we had about ten calls. We thought that if we offered the lowest prices, the fastest service and a catalogue which actually delivered what it promised, we would be an instant success. Unfortunately, we learned the hard way that wasn't the case. We found out that it was a long time before people gave us a try." Nevertheless, word began to spread, and while Roger and Doug remained in their full-time jobs for another year, and the company didn't make a profit.