Hidden meanings behind Asda, B&Q, Tesco, M&S, H&M, IKEA, Aldi, ASOS and B&M names explained

Ever wondered what the names of the big supermarkets and shops stand for?

Here we've listed how some of the major brands got their names including B&Q, Tesco, M&S, H&M, IKEA, Aldi, ASOS and B&M. While the likes of M&S are fairly self-explanatory, there are others with acronyms and unique backstories that might just surprise you.

From online fashion retailer ASOS to the iconic HMV, many companies have intriguing hidden meanings in their names. Others, such as B&Q and B&M, pay homage to their founders' names.

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Here's a rundown of how some household names came to be:

ASDA

The name ASDA isn't just catchy; it has its roots in a pivotal moment on May 3, 1965, when co-founder Peter Asquith was planning his first supermarket from the ground up, Manchester Evening News reports.

In need of someone to manage his butchery section, he reached out to Noel Stockdale at Associated Dairies, which led to an successful partnership. As the ASDA website recounts: "It was the beginning of a fantastic retail partnership." The fusion of ASquith and DAiries gave rise to the ASDA we know today.

B&Q

The year 1969 saw the birth of B&Q, thanks to Richard Block and David Quayle who set up shop in Southampton. Back in the '60s, professional building supplies were mostly sourced from builders' merchants and small hardware shops, with DIY being a pastime for the dedicated few, B&Q's history reveals.

Block and Quayle had a vision to offer value, extended opening hours and a wider product range to all. So, in 1969, they launched their first store on Portswood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, in a former cinema.

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