History

1919 First Womens Institute Market took place in Lewes as an outlet for surplus produce. 1932 WI Markets were registered as co-operatives under the Industrial Provident & Friendly Societies Act. 1951 A WI Market appeared at the Ideal Home Exhibition throughout March. 1972 Combined annual turnover of the WI Markets reaches £1m. 1977 Minchinhampton WI Market started. 1992 Combined annual turnover of the Markets reaches £10m. 1995 Markets separate from The National Federation of Women's Institutes and become self-financing. 2003 WI Country Markets Ltd. moved HQ from Reading to Chesterfield, Derbyshire. ‘Gifts-to-Go’ introduced. 2004 WI Country Markets Ltd shareholders voted to discontinue the use of the WI initials, at the request of NFWI, and become Country Markets Ltd.