Peter Esslemont and William Macintosh were rivals in Aberdeen's burgeoning retail trade in the 19th century, but decided to join forces and set up a department store in 1873. The store was located on Broad Street and had a grand opening sale when its doors opened on 3 February.[1]
The business opened with a capital of £3000 and continued to be run by both Esslemont and Macintosh until William's death in 1913. The store moved from its Broad Street location to Union Street in the 1920s.[1]
In 1997, Norman Esslemont, the managing director and great-grandson of the founder Peter, left the firm after a family split on where the business was going. In 2005 the store was sold to department store chain Owen Owen, who had promised investment.[1] However, in May 2007 the store was closed after Owen Owen went into administration in February 2007.