In 1910 David Ackerman arrived in Whitechapel with his family from Poland. He initially traded in 'Fancy Items' but soon reopened premises in Mulberry Street adding brass wedding rings to the range for those housewives who had pawned their gold bands.

The business quickly grew and David, along with wife Annie and daughter Dora, soon found themselves with a thriving Costume Jewellery business. Sons Gerald, Ernie and Morrie joined them broadening the business still further by opening up a buying office in what was Czechoslovakia and following visits to Japan to purchase cultured pearls, added gift items to the range.

The Second World War brought many problems to the business, not least the blitzing of the Milton Street premises in 1940. The company lost everything, but thanks to the number of export orders in hand, the Board of Trade assisted Ackerman's in re-opening at a factory in Edgeware, North London. After the war the company moved the warehouse and offices to Great Portland Street, and later still a new modern factory was built at Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire.

David Ackerman Snr passed away in 1954 and his 3 sons took over the business beginning to import giftware in volume from the Far East in the 1950's. Gerald, Ernie and Morrie continued to expand the Ackerman business later bringing their own sons Laurence and Clive (Giftware) and Harvey and David (Jewellery) to continue the family tradition. Also at this time Geoff Tuck joined the giftware side of the business.

By 1980 the company had ceased manufacturing fashion jewellery, but still imported a large range from the Far East and Europe. However, the company's growth was becoming centred on giftware and continued expansion had seen moves in 1967 to Camden Town, then in 1980 to Tottenham and finally in 1987 to the current premises at Chingford, North East London. At this time Daniel Ackerman started the Toy Division.

In 1992 the decision was taken to close the Jewellery Division, Harvey retired and David Ackerman created the new Stationery Division. Although sad to see the demise of the Jewellery section, it was a necessary and significant stepping stone into the future for the family business.

In April 2001 the company acquired the already well established Regency Fine Arts brand name headed by Kevin Moroney, which has grown successfully with the company.

The most recent addition has seen Westwoods garden products join Ackermans with Daryl Palmer at its helm, adding an exciting new direction for the company.

Sadly, all three brothers (Morrie, Gerald and Ernie) have now passed on, but the Ackerman Group continues to grow and prosper in the hands of the third generation.