John Mills Limited

John Mills Limited
JML
Company typePrivate limited company
IndustryRetail
Founded1986; 38 years ago (1986)
FounderJohn Mills
HeadquartersLondon, England[1]
Key people
Ken Daly
(Chief Executive Officer)
Websitewww.jmldirect.com

JML (John Mills Limited) is a consumer product company based around the UK specialising in the promotion of products with video screens in retail stores.[2]

The company develops products in the categories of homewares, health & beauty, DIY and gifts and sells them through its website, TV channels and retail.[3]

In addition to its own products, JML distributes products from other international direct response television (DRTV) suppliers.[4]

History

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John Mills founded JML in the basement of his house in Camden in 1986. Reverting to a model of selling at trade shows, the company expanded into consumer selling after a trial involving end-of-aisle video demonstrations in third-party owned retail shops.[5]

JML first established its headquarters in Kentish Town, North London.[6] This was home to one third of the company's workforce, containing the product development, marketing, direct to consumer, video production, international sales and broadcast operations. In 2016, JML moved its headquarters to Chiswick, West London, as part of its expansion plans. [7]

JML's fulfilment centre is based in the Port of Tyne,[8] comprising a 24/7 call centre, retail sales team, warehouse and distribution facility.

In 2010, it was named as one of Europe's Top 500 Growth Companies.[9]

In June 2019 JML's current CEO, Ken Daly, was elected as Chairman of the Europe Board of Directors for the ERA (Electronic Retailing Association)[10]

Divisions

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JML Retail

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JML's core business is retail screen promotions. These can be found in various UK and Irish retailers including Asda, Boots, Robert Dyas, Argos, Tesco and Wilko.[11]

JML Direct

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The brand also has a direct-to-consumer business through its JML Direct TV shopping channel (operating on Sky 661 and Freesat 806), website and bi-yearly catalogue. The UK infomercials are largely produced in-house as well as featuring product demonstration video content from across the globe. JML also broadcasts through third parties.

References

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  1. ^ "John Mills Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  2. ^ "John Mills: the millionaire behind the Snuggie and fast fit ironing board cover". telegraph.co.uk. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Home shopping firm's jobs boost". shieldsgazette.com. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  4. ^ "JML strengthens DRTV and online marketplace senior teams". theretailbulletin.com. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  5. ^ Armitstead, Louise (15 September 2013). "Rich, private school, Oxford. Meet John Mills, Labour's biggest donor" – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  6. ^ "Financial Times".
  7. ^ "Global retailer JML moves to new Chiswick offices". chiswickherald.co.uk.
  8. ^ "Shields Gazette".
  9. ^ "Europe's Top 500 Growth Companies" (PDF). europes500.eu. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  10. ^ "ERA Elects Ken Daly as the new Chairman". era-global.org. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
  11. ^ "Big Interview: Ken Daly, CEO of JML". retailgazette.co.uk. 9 November 2016. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
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