Αφοί Λαμπρόπουλοι

Company name: Αδελφοί Λαμπρόπουλοι Ανώνυμος Βιομηχανική και Εμπορική Εταιρία (= Lambrópoulos Brothers Industrial and Commercial Company Limited). Trading name: Αφοί Λαμπρόπουλοι

Αφοί Λαμπρόπουλοι [= Lambropoulos Bros], listed also as "Αδελφοί Λαμπρόπουλοι" [= Lambropoulos Brothers], "Lambropoulos Bros Ltd." or "Lambropoulos Frères S.A.", was a Greek company in the department store sector, marketing locally Columbia, Regal Recordings, His Master's Voice, Radio Marconi Records and other labels from ca. 1924 through to 1960s. It preceded EMIAL, which was established on 15 September 1969.

Αδελφοί Π. Λαμπρόπουλοι Ο.Ε. (= Lambrópoulos P. Brothers General Partnership) was a family company, founded in 1906 in Athens by Xenofón Lambrópoulos (1879-07/1964) and his brother, Vassílis (?-1971), both from Kontovázaina, Arcadia. Five more brothers, Konstantínos, Gheóghios (d. 1943), Dimítrios, Themistoklís, & Theódoros, were to become involved in the company in one way or another. Their business activities concerned clothing and other types of home wear. The company was able to adapt to the needs of each era, but above all, it dared to pioneer as it was one of the first stores to sell at predetermined prices, eliminating haggling. It implemented Sunday as a holiday for the store and its employees. On 3 September 1927, the company became a public limited company. The composition of the first Board of Directors was: Xenofon (CEO until his death), Vassilis (CEO 07/1964-until his death), Gheoghios, Dimitrios, Themistoklis (CEO 1971-until his death), & Athanássios Tzannís. Its listing on the Stock Exchange took place in 1968. In 1999, the company was acquired by Παπαέλληνας Όμιλος Επιχειρήσεων (= Papaéllinas Group of Companies). In November 2001, Papaellinas Group of Companies, alongside other companies, merged to create Notos Com Συμμετοχές ΑΕΒΕ (= Notos Com Holdings Plc).

Ca. 1924, Vassilis took over their new activity, that of record marketing. First label was Columbia. On 7 February 1930, Lambropoulos Bros. and Columbia Graphophone Company Ltd. established Columbia Graphophone Company Of Greece Limited), laying the foundation for the construction of a record manufacturing factory. Themistoklis became CEO and Chairman of the Board of the new company. Lambropoulos Bros. earned 1/2 drachma for each record pressed by Columbia, Athens. The family acquired the marketing rights of His Master's Voice since the end of 1931, and of Pathé Marconi EMI since 8 April 1933. In 1934, a third branch was established at 4 Stadiou Street, which dealt exclusively with the sale of radios, gramophones, and records. In 1958, Τάκης Β. Λαμπρόπουλος, son of Vassilis, took over as commercial director, a position he held until May 1972. He became a member of the Board of Directors in 1967. On 15 September 1969, EMI acquired 50% of the "Columbia - Αφοί Λαμπρόπουλοι" record company, establishing ΕΜΙΑΛ/EMIAL. Lambropoulos Bros. held the other 50% and retained the management of the new company. On 31 March 1977, EMI Ltd. bought the remaining 50% from Lambropoulos Bros. and the family completely withdrew from EMIAL S.A.