RadioShack is an American electronics retailer that was established in 1921 as a mail-order business focused on amateur radio. Its parent company was purchased by Tandy Corporation in 1962; Tandy ended mail order, shifted to retail by opening small stores staffed by people knowledgeable in electronics, greatly reduced the number of items carried, and replaced name-brand products with private-label items from lower-cost manufacturers. These moves were successful and the brand grew.