Joplings

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Joplings is a department store, located in Sunderland, England. It is now part of the newly formed Vergo Retail Ltd. group of department stores.

The store was established in 1804. In December 1954 the store burnt down and operated from temporary space until its present purpose-built building opened in 1956.

In early 2005 the store was purchased from its previous owners, Merchant Retail Group plc, together with Robbs of Hexham, by Liverpool based Owen Owen Ltd. for £5 million^[1] and another three million for stock.

Following the takeover Owen Owen held a huge sale prompting fears that the store would close. David Thompson, then owner of the group, assured customers it would be "business as usual". In February 2007, however, Owen Owen Ltd went into receivership^[2] putting the future of the store into further doubt.

On 18 May 2007 it was announced that a newly formed company, Vergo Retail, had taken over the three remaining Owen Owen stores. Vergo Retail is spearheaded by David Thompson, former owner of the now defunct Owen Owen group. Currently Joplings is seen as Sunderland's leading department store and, arguably, has one of the finest menswear departments in the city.^{[citation needed]} Other departments include Sound & Vision, Wines & Spirits and The Christmas Department.

Since early march Joplings, has been able to boast one of the best hair salons in Sunderland. The Altona Hair Salon is now open on the first floor in the store, Altona strive to maintain the high levels of quality Joplings have produced over the years and more importantly what they still are associated to with their many loyal customers, stylists Janine Robertson and Amy Tilson, currently are offering 25% off all styles and treatment for senior citizens and 20% off for students. Making them one of the most affordable and best salons in the city.