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Federal Employees' Distributing Company (FEDCO) Collection
MS.2017.001
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Contributing Institution:
Special Collections and Archives
Title: Federal Employees' Distributing Company (FEDCO) Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS.2017.001
Physical Description:
79.42 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1957-2000
Abstract: The Federal Employees' Distributing Company (FEDCO), was a non-profit organization department store which provided customers
with a one stop shop experience. Based in Santa Fe Springs and opened in 1948, Fedco was considered to be one of the most
successful superstores of its time. The company was founded by 800 Los Angeles postal workers who sought relief from the post
war economy. Fedco had 13 retail stores in Southern California, most of which were located in the Los Angeles area. Locations
included Ontario, San Diego, San Bernardino, Costa Mesa, Cerritos, La Cienga, and Baldwin Hills. To gain access and purchase
FEDCO's merchandise, a membership was required. In just 5 years of operation Fedco acquired more than 50,000 members. Members
received a subscription to the Fedco Reporter, special discounts of items, and FEDCO related news.
Language of Material:
English
.
The Federal Employees' Distributing Company Collection is the
physical property of California State University, Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy
Memorial Library, Special Collections and Archives.
Folder title, Series, Box number, Collection title, followed by
Special Collections and Archives, John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California
State University, Los Angeles
The collection is organized into four Series: I. Achievements; II.
Publications; III. Large Frames; IV. Photographic Materials. Three of the four
series consist of subseries. Series I. Achievements is organized into three
subseries: a. Plaques; b. Awards; c. Trophies; d. Certificates. Series II.
Publications is organized into four subseries: a. Fedco Reporter; b. Sales Books;
c. Fedco Documents; d. Gift Books. Series IV. Photographic Materials is
organized into two subseries: a.Photographs; b. Negatives.
The Federal Employees' Distributing Company (FEDCO), was a non-profit
organization department store which provided customers with a one stop shop
experience. Based in Santa Fe Springs and opened in 1948, Fedco was
considered to be one of the most successful superstores of its time. The
company was founded by 800 Los Angeles postal workers who sought relief from
the post war economy. Fedco had 13 retail stores in Southern California, most of
which were located in the Los Angeles area. Locations included Ontario, San
Diego, San Bernardino, Costa Mesa, Cerritos, La Cienega, and Baldwin Hills. To
gain access and purchase FEDCO's merchandise, a membership was required.
In just 5 years of operation Fedco acquired more than 50,000 members.
Members received a subscription to the Fedco Reporter, special discounts of
items, and FEDCO related news.
Through the 1980s and 1990s FEDCO could not compete with other superstores
such as Walmart, Target, Kmart, Costco, Best Buy, and Macy's. Limited only to
the Southern California area surrounding Los Angeles, Fedco could not compete
with its nationwide competitors resulting in the company to declare bankruptcy in
1999. The Dayton Hudson Corporation bought the company for $120 million and
replaced the 13 Fedco retail buildings with Target.
Throughout FEDCO's 50 years of operation they have won numerous awards
from various corporations such as Duracell, Disney, and Kodak.
The materials for this collection were created from 1957-2000. This collection
consists of photographs, publications, and achievements related to FEDCO and
their partners. The bulk of this collection are trophies and awards. A series of the
FEDCO reporter and sale books are also included within this collection. Lastly,
documents pertaining to staff schedules and other FEDCO documentation.
Series I: Achievements
Inclusive Dates: 1970-1999
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This large series consists of awards, trophies, and certificates from various
companies. Sale milestones, partnerships, plaques, and employee of the month
awards are included in this series. Sale milestones, partnerships, and certificates
of appreciation are included in this series.
Series II: Publications
Inclusive Dates: 1957-1996
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This series includes the FEDCO Reporter, sales books, and gift books. The
FEDCO Reporter is a magazine for FEDCO members, which includes item
descriptions, deals, and special events for customers. Throughout the year,
FEDCO released sales books to members with various deals related to the
season. During the holidays, FEDCO gave members gift books as a guide to
buying presents and special deals.
Series III: Large Frames
Inclusive Dates: 1953-1984
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This series consists of large framed artwork of Fedco locations and images of
FEDCO buildings are included in this series. The First Fedco Reporter framed
and included in this series. Items in this series are heavy, large, and wide.
Series IV: Photographic Materials
Inclusive Dates: U.D.
Arrangement: Size
This series consists of two subseries: a.Photographs; b. Negatives photographs
and negatives of FEDCO. The arrangement is based on photograph size. The
photographs depict parking lots, shopping aisles (garden, hardware, electronics,
toys, and food). Noteworthy, there are two photographs depicting the condition of
the La Cienega Location after the LA riots. Photographs of other retail stores are
included, such as Costco and Marshalls.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Los Angeles (Calif.)
California