History
Originally set up as a mail order company in 1974 and was always based near Swindon; by 1980 it had ten shops; and it has grown to include 215 shops in the UK and over 80 in 19 other countries such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Canada and Australia. In addition, their toys are available in selected Debenhams, Boots and Sainsbury's. The company has also sold their products via their website (link below) since 2001. In 2003 it won the New Media Age Best Retail Website Award. In the 1980s ELC opened a number of "nursery stores" which sold equipment such as pushchairs and cots. The chain had stores in the United States until the early 1990s. Over 80% of products sold are own brand, being designed at a research centre in Hong Kong.
Read more about this topic: Early Learning Centre
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