Many surprised by B&Q’s full name revelation
B&Q's full name is Block & Quayle, surprising many
Many major companies use initials rather than full names to make them easy to read, say, and remember. Short names are often favoured in branding and incorporated into logos. Customers can sometimes go years purchasing from a company without knowing its full name. Recently, people have discovered what the initials B&Q stand for.
The British home and hardware giant has been operating since 1969. It started in Southampton when two men transformed a former cinema into a shop. Richard Block and David Quayle named the shop after their surnames. Initially called Block and Quayle, it was soon shortened to B&Q.
The name became well-known in the 1970s as 26 B&Q stores opened across southeast England. Block and Quayle reportedly paid themselves only £90 a month and worked six days a week. Within five years, the company achieved a £1 million turnover.
People left mind-blown after learning what B&Q's initials really meanhttps://t.co/8CD48hDP5i https://t.co/8CD48hDP5i
— The Daily Record (@Daily_Record) September 3, 2024
People were surprised to learn what the iconic logo means. On X, @cawilkes84 asked followers, “without Googling… what does B&Q stand for?” Many shared guesses. One guessed: “Bargains & Quality?” Another commented: “Dad, what does B&Q stand for? I think it stands for ‘building and queuing’ – my young son.”
A third said: “We’re all just living our lives without knowing what B&Q stands for.” However, some quickly provided the correct answer: “Block & Quayle.”
Another added: “Block and Quayle. It’s been a pub quiz standard for years.”
B&Q isn’t the only brand with an unknown full name; B&M stands for Billington and Mayman, ASOS means As Seen On Screen, H&M represents Hennes & Mauritz, and HSBC stands for Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What does B&Q stand for?
B&Q stands for Block & Quayle, named after the founders Richard Block and David Quayle.
When was B&Q founded?
B&Q was founded in 1969 in Southhampton.
Why do companies use initials in their names?
Companies use initials to make their names easy to read, say, and remember.
What does B&M stand for?
B&M stands for Billington and Mayman.
What does ASOS stand for?
ASOS stands for As Seen On Screen.
