What UK's biggest shop names actually mean from ASDA, B&M, H&M and ASOS to TK Maxx and JD Sports

The likes of Asda, B&M, H&M, ASOS, TK Maxx and JD Sports are a go-to for many shoppers for everything from a new pair of trainers to a bottle of orange juice. But do you know what the stores' names actually stand for?

Sometimes the names of these places become such a common part of our vocabulary that we forget they're not actual words but just abbreviations or acronyms. Often, many of them are named after the people who opened them - but that's not always the case.

Some fashion stores are short for a fun stylish slogan and some are even changed because the American owners' plans don't always work out. So to stop you wondering any longer, we've listed what some of the biggest shop names really mean.

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ASDA

Founded over 70 years ago in 1949, Asda stands for Associated Dairies. It was formed when high-status family, the Asquiths merged with the Associated Dairies company of Yorkshire - the family is one that is made up of many big names, even including actress Helena Bonham-Carter. After initially being based up north, Asda expanded into the south of England during the 1970s and 80s.

B&M

The bargain finds and so much more in B&M stores might convince you the store is called Bargains and More but it's even simpler. Set up by Malcom Billington in 1978, it stood for Billington & Mayman. However, it was shortened to B&M for Bargain Madness. Billington remained as the company director until 1996.

H&M

Founded all the way back in 1947 in Sweden by Erling Personn, H&M was originally named Hennes - Swedish for 'Hers'. Initially, the store only sold women's clothing but 21 years later, they acquired hunting apparel retailer, Mauritz Widforss. So with men's clothing now included, the name was tweaked to include Mauritz and shortened to the simple H&M in 1974. The UK's first H&M opened in London not long after, in 1976.

ASOS

Unlike some of the others, ASOS is not named after its founder. When the global fashion brand and online retailer first launched in 2000, they supplied unbranded clothes to celebs appearing on TV. This allowed shoppers to purchase the items they'd seen their favourite stars wearing on screen. Therefore, this soon to people referring to AsSeenOnScreen as ASOS. And so in the late 2000s, the domain name www.asos.com was purchased.

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T.K. Maxx

T.K. Maxx is actually the British version of American store, T.J. Maxx. However, they couldn't bring over the same name. Both of the discounted stores are part of parent company TJX Companies. The original, T.J. Maxx opened in the U.S. in 1977 before reaching the UK in 1994. However, at the time, discount store TJ Hughes still had a number of branches across the UK - with the name being too similar to carry over the American one. So, to avoid any confusion, they chose to name it T.K. Maxx instead.

JD Sports

Established in 1981, the sports shop was founded by John Wardle and David Makin - shortened to give the name JD. They first opened up in the north and then the first London JD Sports opened in 1989 on Oxford Street.

Do you have a story you think we should be covering? Email jessica.battison@reachplc.com or whatson@mylondon.news.

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