History

Ashley DSG History

How It All Started

It all began with one store and an owner that knew nothing about the furniture business. In 2002, at the age of 60, when most people are preparing for retirement, Founder Jim Spencer opened a furniture store in Memphis, Tennessee.

In 20 short years, that one-store operation grew to become the largest Ashley licensee in the world. DSG owns and operates 166 Ashley retail stores, 21 distribution centers, and three corporate offices, with over 5,000 team members.

Jim is often asked about the secret of his success. He always gives the same answer – “There are three things that have made us successful – First, we try to honor God in everything we do. Second, we hire the best people in the industry. Without question, we have the best team in the country. And third, we work harder than anyone out there – you will not outwork us.”

He concludes, “I know my story is hard to believe, but it is true.”

DSG Timeline

  • 2002
    Jim Spencer buys his first furniture store in Memphis, TN, and The Spencer Group is born.
  • 2003
    The Spencer Group opens its first Ashley store in Jackson, TN, and their Memphis location quickly follows.
  • 2004
    A period of growth begins with the opening of several stores in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
  • 2005
    Desiring to help those in need, The Spencer Group starts the One Parent, One Dream Foundation/Beds for Kids in their stores. Later, this was picked up by Ashley Furniture Industries, renamed Hope to Dream, and launched nationwide.
  • 2009
    The Spencer Group lands at #88 in Furniture Today’s Top 100 Furniture Retailers.
  • 2012
    The Spencer Group joins forces with like-minded Canadian furniture retailers, The Dufresne Group. The company name is changed to the Dufresne Spencer Group (DSG).
  • 2014
    DSG cracks the Top 50, landing at #49 on the Furniture Today’s Top 100 USA Furniture Retailers.
  • 2015
    DSG moves to #36 on Furniture Today’s Top 100 Furniture Retailers List.
  • 2017
    DSG moves to #32 on the Furniture Today Top 100 list, and CEO Chad Spencer is invited to speak at their national leadership convention.
  • 2018-Present
    DSG has an incredible growth spurt, opening and acquiring several groups of Ashley stores, including markets in Houston, Dallas, Chicago, New Orleans, south Mississippi, and Detroit, among others.
  • 2022
    DSG is named #15 in Furniture Today’s Top 100 Furniture Retailers, with plans in the works to open several stores in 2022.