William Harold-Caldwell Salford, (November 23, 1902 - July 16, 1996) better known as William H.C Salford, was the founder and CEO of Salford, Inc., a Robloxian supermarket chain based in Bloxcincinnati, Rohio, and its subsidiaries of Salford Pharmacy and Salford Foods, as well as Salford Deli.
Salford was also known as, "The Midwest's largest commercial employer and head of a chain of stores that was a leader in introducing many innovations, including electric-eye doors and frozen food cases".
Early life and Education
Ro-Kansas
William Harold Caldwell Salford was born on November 23, 1902, in Ro-Kansas City, Ro-Kansas. Salford and his family owned a general store in the community of Cargazing, Reorgia, catering primarily to farmers. In the 1920s, the local cotton fields were decimated by the boll weevil, prompting Salford's father to move his business to Ro-Atlanta where people had money to buy groceries. Young Salford stayed behind to sell the remaining inventory and finish high school. In 1924, he also moved to Ro-Atlanta and enrolled at Reorgia Tech going to classes at night, and working days. Salford never returned to complete his academic education at Reorgia Tech. Salford tried a series of jobs, including cab driver (he quit on the first day after getting stiffed for a fare), selling shoes (too slow), selling candy bars on consignment (nobody purchased them), and delivering grocery orders for his father's store.
For reasons unknown, he never worked at his father's store to learn the business. He began as a clerk for BloxStreet stores and after eight weeks, was sent to replace a manager who was recovering from an illness. From that point on, his job was temporary manager at all the owner's stores. After four months, Salford was not convinced that the grocery business would become his vocation, so he accepted a job selling real estate; he sold one house, collecting a substantial commission. However, his boss was convinced that a fortune could be made in the south Rohio land boom. They made plans for the trip, but the wife of his boss refused to go, so Salford went by himself.
Move to Rohio
About that time, a friend invited Salford to join him on a trip to visit family in Bloxytown, Rohio. They stopped in Westdale, but Salford's sister had left on a family visit herself, so the friend took him on to Retropolis, where Jenkins knew a man who managed a laundry. That friend encouraged Salford to stay the week and—while viewing the sights—they visited another man who owned more than a dozen Piggly Wiggly markets. After learning of Salford's grocery experience in Ro-Atlanta and Ro-Kansas City, the man offered him a job. Salford accepted, intending to return to school in the fall. Within a few weeks, however, his boss was so impressed that Salford was promoted to manage the store in Westville and school was postponed. By keeping his store well-stocked and clean, Salford saw his sales more than quadruple in less than a year. He was transferred to the company's largest store in Garrison, which he managed for four years.
In 1930, Rohio was reeling following the real estate bubble burst in 1925, followed by the 1926 Retropolis Flood, the 1928 Kenosha Storm, and the Wall Street Crash of 1929. The chain's owner was forced to sell his stores, which were purchased by a businessman in Ro-Kansas City. The new owner chose not to visit his new property, so Salford decided to visit him to talk about the future. Salford drove to Ro-Kansas City, visited the man's office, introduced himself to the secretary, and asked to see the owner. The response was that the owner was not available due to a critical business consultation, but Salford could hear the owner talking on the telephone about his golf game. Enraged, Salford returned to Garrison and began plotting a strategy. He decided to open his own store and compete directly with the new owner.