General Trading Company History

The General Trading Company (GTC) is a shop located on Pelham Street in South Kensington, London. Trading since 1920, it became one of London’s first ‘boutique’ home stores selling a multifarious selection of pieces including furniture, interior decoration, gifts, china, glass, clothing and accessories. Always adventurous, sometimes frivolous, everything exuded passion and panache.

Since 2008 GTC has been owned by Caroline Stacpoole and is now going from strength to strength. Once again, it is proud to call itself London's Most Fascinating Shop. The shop is themed into areas that include bath and scent products, stationery, house wares, and oriental antique and modern British furniture. Caroline recognises that the customers' needs are to be cherished so is introducing a bespoke service to customise products towards individual requirements. This includes, amongst others, having leather goods, soft furnishings and textiles personalised. The focus of the store has moved slightly away from the more traditional antiques. It now includes more gifts and has a real focus on supporting British design and manufacture, valuing nature, helping people in developing countries and stocking items from reclaimed, recycled and reused products.