Montgomery Ward & Co. Montgomery Ward & Co., Incorporated is a multi-billion dollar retailer, one of the oldest and largest in the nation. The company operates specialty stores, distribution centers and product service centers from coast to coast. Its primary business is specialty retailing with a focus in the areas of apparel, fine jewelry, appliances and electronics, furniture, homewares and automotive accessories. The history of Montgomery Ward is a true American success story. Aaron Montgomery Ward, a young traveling salesman concerned by the high prices rural Americans were paying for shoddy goods, conceived the idea of selling quality merchandise by direct mail.