Daylin

Daylin, Inc.
Company typePublic
Conglomerate
IndustryRetail
Founded1960
FounderAmnon Barness
DefunctMarch 19, 1979
FateAcquired by W.R. Grace & Co.

Daylin, Inc. was a major retail conglomerate based in Los Angeles and later Beverly Hills, California. Its best-known unit was Handy Dan Improvement Centers, which preceded Home Depot in the market niche the latter came to dominate. The company also briefly owned London Drugs as well as Great Eastern, which gave rise to Linens 'n Things.

Amnon Barness, an Israeli immigrant, co-founded the company in 1960 with an investment of $10,000. The company grew aggressively over the next two decades by acquiring retail operations around the United States, notably drugstores, home improvement centers, and discount stores. By 1969, Daylin had 50 corporate divisions and subsidiaries employing around 13,000 employees. In 1973 it was reported to operate 700 stores.