Sociedad Española de Precios Únicos, S.A. (SEPU) was Spain's first department store. SEPU was founded in Barcelona 9 January 1934, by Swiss citizens of Jewish origins, Henry Reisembach and Edouard Worms; it later opened branches in Madrid and Zaragoza. Their slogan was "Quien calcula compra en SEPU" ("Who calculates buys at SEPU").
Company type | Sociedad Anónima |
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Industry | Retail |
Founded | Barcelona, Spain (January 11, 1934 | )
Founder |
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Defunct | 2002 |
Area served | Zaragoza, Barcelona, Madrid |
During the Second Spanish Republic, SEPU was attacked by the Falangist newspaper Arriba, and its premises were physically attacked by Falangists and their sympathizers.[1]
SEPU was purchased in 2000 by Australian retailer Rodd Partridge; it was a failing company at the time. The company closed in 2002 because of previous management's massive undisclosed accumulated tax debts.[2] These could not be negotiated, and the company was forced to close.
The popular SEPU stores were full of customers for the closing-down sale, police had to erect barricades to control the crowds.[3]