In 2026, Forms Plus celebrates 45 years of business. To mark the occasion, we have taken a look back at how our business, retail and e-commerce generally, have changed in that time. Some of us can remember all of these developments. To others, these events make no sense at all. We hope you enjoy looking back with us, and that it doesn’t make you feel too old!
1981-1985 Forms Plus founded as ‘Kerrier Computer Services’ and the first “online” Tesco order was placed
The Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer captivated the nation and was watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide.
The first online shopping transaction in the UK took place via Tesco’s Videotex system when a grandmother in Gateshead used her television remote control to order groceries, a remarkable preview of the e-commerce revolution to come.
Forms Plus (initially called Kerrier Computer Services and then KCS) was founded in 1981, starting out on the kitchen table with storage in the farm outbuildings. The company has had a few logos in the 45 years. Our main product lines were continuous payslips, listing paper, printer ribbons and floppy discs, none of which are still used today. In 1985, we relocated to offices in Helston.
1986-1990 The World Wide Web is founded and Victoria joins Forms Plus
Margaret Thatcher was elected for a third time. Yuppie culture started in London’s trendy boroughs.
Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web at CERN, a development that would ultimately transform retail forever.
The Channel Tunnel’s British and French sides were connected for the first time.
Victoria Andrews, now our Managing Director, started as an Order Administrator.
1991-1995 Tesco Clubcard, re-usable carrier bags and Amazon are launched
Marks and Spencer became the first UK retailer to charge for a strong, re-usable carrier bag. The bag cost 15p and was designed to last six months. Shortly after that, M&S Percy Pigs were launched.
The internet grew to over 10,000 sites worldwide and Jeff Bezos founded Amazon.
Sunday trading started, allowing large retailers to open for 6 hours.
Tesco introduced the Clubcard loyalty scheme.
1996-2000 Online shopping really takes off and Jo joins Forms Plus
HMV celebrated its 75th birthday with CDs starting at £2.99 and hearts broke across the nation as Take That announced they were splitting up.
Online shopping really took off. Amazon.co.uk launched. eBay began trading. Woolworths, Tesco and Marks and Spencer all launched their first online shopping sites. Integrated Labels saw a similar boom, as the need for pack and despatch labels grew.
Friends Reunited was launched, one of the first successful social networking sites, with the aim of connecting people with friends from their school days.
At Forms Plus, Jo Carter, now our Finance Director, started two days a week. By Jo’s second week, she was hired full-time.
2001-2005 ASOS becomes a major online fashion retailer
Wikipedia launched, and the Apple iPod was introduced. Both developments would reshape how consumers discovered and bought products.
The 9/11 Al-Qaeda attacks took place in the US, triggering the US-led invasion of Afghanistan.
ASOS expanded beyond celebrity-inspired fashion into its own product lines, becoming a major UK online fashion retailer.
YouTube launched.
At Forms Plus, Victoria Andrews became a Director.
2006-2010 Sustainability awareness grows, and Black Friday arrives in the UK
The Stern Review on climate change raised awareness of sustainability, a theme that would increasingly influence retail and packaging decisions.
The first iPhone was released, beginning the smartphone revolution that would transform mobile shopping.
The UK saw the launch of its first “Black Friday” promotions, imported from the US by Amazon. Woolworths closed its last physical store.
Instagram was launched. Over 80% of the UK public now had internet access.
We relocated once again, to offices and warehouse space on Water Ma Trout Industrial Estate in Helston and changed our name to Forms Plus.
2011-2015 The High Street takes a battering. Social commerce grows and Victoria and Jo buy Forms Plus.
Mary Portas, known as “Mary Queen of Shops”, announced that the High Street was “degenerating”. Brands that collapsed included Oddbins, Barratts Shoes and Borders. Click-and-collect services grew rapidly as retailers bridged the gap between online and in-store shopping.
London hosted the Olympic Games, providing a major boost to retail and tourism.
Facebook made algorithm changes that meant that brands needed to start paying for advertising to be seen. Tesco had such a busy Black Friday that its website collapsed, and it had to call police to its stores.
Facebook and Twitter began offering “Buy” buttons, so brands could sell straight from the Social Media feeds.
Forms Plus underwent a management buyout by Victoria Andrews and Jo Carter, with Jo becoming a Director.
Forms Plus welcomed Sharon Ramos in 2015, now our Company Director.
2016-2020 The UK leaves the EU. COVID hits and Forms Plus launches packaging ranges from new, purpose-built premises.
The UK left the European Union on 31 January 2020 after the Brexit referendum in 2016.
Blue Planet II aired, sparking a national conversation about plastic packaging and sustainability. Plastic bag charges showed results, with usage down by over 85%, signalling a shift in consumer and retailer attitudes to packaging waste.
COVID-19 lockdowns transformed retail overnight. Non-essential shops closed, and online retail’s share surged to nearly 28% of all sales.
Forms Plus welcomed Alison Hulley and Jayne Wood in 2017.
Forms Plus relocated to our current premises, which was purpose-built to house our offices and warehouse. In the summer, we expanded our range to supply E-Commerce Packaging.
2021-2025 Online retail sales soar. Demand for sustainable products grows and Forms Plus partner with Flexi-Hex®
UK online retail sales reached approximately £92 billion, making it the largest online retail market in Europe.
The rise of AI tools like ChatGPT began influencing how consumers researched and discovered products online. Online retailers such as Amazon began introducing AI features to streamline and create more personalised shopping experiences.
There was a sharp rise in social commerce, especially via TikTok Shop and Instagram.
Shoppers became increasingly conscious of sustainability with 46% saying they are happy to pay more for sustainable products.
Forms Plus formed a partnership with local sustainable packaging supplier Flexi Hex®, as their preferred distributor partner.
Forms Plus welcomed Donna Wyeth, Rafe Webb, Sharon Worden and Phil Black.
Sharon Ramos became a Director.
2026 New Year – New Logo to celebrate 45 years of trading
We look forward to another successful year and thank all of our customers for their loyalty to us over the years and our wonderful staff for all their hard work.
Sources for E-Commerce History
BBC – Online Shopping: The pensioner who pioneered a home shopping revolution
House of Lords Library – The UK Economy in the 1980s
BBC – How the Big Bang changed the City of London forever
The Marks and Spencer Story – Timelines
The Guardian Business – Tesco Timeline
The Telegraph – 1994 – The year that shook Britain
The Grocer’s Defining Moments – 2000 to the present
The Guardian 2008 – The Mystery of Britain’s Great Spring Shopping Spree
Gravity Global – The Biggest Digital Marketing Trends and Events of the 2010s