The shop initially consisted of various departments selling general items, traced and fancy goods, wools (sewing, embroidery, knitting, etc), paper patterns (dress, embroidery, knitting patterns), transfers (for embroidery), and baby linen.
At the same time it was also producing The Needlewoman, a magazine with numerous designs, patterns, tips, transfers and so forth. This was seen as an important means for the Briggs company to sell its products. In 1934, the Needlewoman Shop and magazine were taken over by J & P Coats Ltd (Paisley, Scotland). In 1961, Coats merged with Patons and Baldwins, creating the company of Coats Patons. In the early 1980's, Coats Patons decided that the prestigious site of the Needlewoman Shop on Regent Street should be turned into a branch of Country Casuals, with a cafe, and they deliberately started to decrease the range of stock, etc. In March 1985, the Needlewoman Shop finally shut its doors.
See also the TRC Needles entry on Mary Thomas.
Digital source (retrieved 17 April 2016).
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 28 June 2016).
GVE