On 1 April 1925, this buying group registered a company called Foodstuffs Ltd, which was the first of three regional cooperatives based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Early versions of the Four Square sign were produced in the form of red and gold hand painted glass panels for display in members’ stores.

The image is associated with the art of New Zealand artist Dick Frizzell, who has used the iconic character in many of his works.

[4] He did photo essays about various objects and shops, such as his local butcher, baker, panel beater, and the Four Square in Kingsland.

Frizzell made billboards with him as the Four Square Man, which lead Foodstuffs to contact him with intellectual property concerns.