Helperton History

In the 70’s the Dawood family owned a number of independent grocery stores in the London area, Mr Ismail Dawood recognised the need for an independent buying group to negotiate with the suppliers to obtain the most favourable terms. Mr Ismail Dawood began offering a Independent Buying Group services to family and friends from above the small family run shop situated in Ilford. This service quickly developed, which resulted in the Fozmans Buying Group being launched in 1985 Today Fozmans is recognised as one of the country’s leading independent buying groups built upon the family values, now with over 1200 members, Never losing sight of the values which were and remain important to the members and listening to their needs the family recognised the necessity to diversify and in; 2001 Retail Gateway was born an Electronic Point Of Sale solution for the members and this opened up other markets 2005 saw Mr Ismail Dawood’s dream fulfilled when the Helperton Group moved from the shop in Ilford to new head office premises in Barking, Essex The business values remain the same today as from day one Rule No 1 “if we do not look after our members and merchants somebody else will “
1985 Launch of FOZMANS BUYING GROUP aimed at providing an independent buying group for the independent trader who requires the buying power of a multiple, whilst remaining independent and in control of their business.
2001 RETAIL GATEWAY
2008 CatchMyAd
2009 Frii-World