PG Tips began in 1869 when Arthur Brooke opened his first tea shop in Manchester, England. In the 1930s, Brooke launched his brand under the name 'Pre-Gest-Tea' and later abbreviated it to PG. In the 1950s, PG Tips aired its first TV advertisement. In the 1960s, it introduced tea bags which became more popular than loose-leaf tea. In 1996, PG Tips launched its patented pyramid tea bag which gave the leaves more room to move. While traditional tea sales have fallen 6% in recent years, PG Tips has strengths like its pyramid bags and involvement in sustainability initiatives, but also faces threats from increased competition and changing consumer preferences.