THE increasing popularity of wirelesses during the 1930s was the catalyst for one of the biggest success stories in electrical retail history.

In 1933 Hull entrepreneur George Hollingbery took advantage of a gap in the market to launch Comet Battery Stores, where he worked with one other employee charging batteries in his workshop and delivering them to customers weekly for a small fee.

But as customers started to request replacement wireless sets, Mr Hollingbery changed his focus to radio rentals and re-named the business Comet Radio Services.

By 1939 Comet had 2,500 customers and a small fleet of vans, but it wasn't until 1968 that Comet pioneered out-of-town retailing by opening its first superstore in Hull.

At first Comet only sold a range of 50 radio and TV products from their boxes but the shop was an instant hit and following a full page advert in the Yorkshire Post, customers started to queue around the block.

In 1998 the firm opened a state-of-the-art call centre in Hull, followed by the launch of its online retail store in 1999.

Almost 70 years after Comet was born, the retail giant opened a series of destination stores, including one in Hull in 2002.

The destination stores offer a hands-on shopping experience complete with special rooms where customers can see how the technology would look and feel in their own environment.

Tracey Beech, manager of St Andrews Quay branch of Comet in Hull, said: "The introduction of our new stores, including the two-storey formats, means we're able to showcase our range to the customers in the most accessible way and stock a much wider breadth of products. The displays are more interactive than they have ever been, enabling customers to get to grips with their goods before they buy."

It's not only the aesthetics that have changed enormously at Comet over the years. The opportunities available to staff are also greater than ever before.

The company now employs 10,000 people at 250 stores nationwide, including 26 stores in Yorkshire, who are able to take part in e-learning programmes to gain qualifications in specific product areas.

Since the opening of the first store in Hull, Comet has stocked over 18,000 products, including Europe's thinnest TV.

Despite the current tough trading conditions, the company remains optimistic that the next 75 years will hold as many developments and innovations as the last. Hugh Harvey, chief executive at Comet, said: "Our aim is to transform Comet into an 'experience' retailer. We have gone past the point where we can just display rows of washing machines and dishwashers. People want to know what new technology can do for them. The answer is to look at more experiential formats, with room sets where we can show consumers how technology can be adapted for their exact needs.

"By the end of the year, therefore, we will have upgraded 15 of our stores with living-room demonstration units to show off the latest in home cinema and we envisage that 100 of our 250 stores will be converted within five years."


Factbox

1933: Comet Battery Stores founded by George Hollingbery in Hull

1939: 2,500 Comet account customers

1968: First out of town retailing superstore opens in Hull

1998: State-of-the-art call centre in Hull opens

1999: Launch of online retail offer www.comet.co.uk

2002: Opening of second 'destination' store in Hull