Burlington Coat Factory
Encyclopedia
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation is a national department store
retailer focusing on clothing and shoes, with over 450 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.(as of 2010). In 2006, it was acquired by Bain Capital, LLC
in a take-private transaction. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Burlington Township, New Jersey
.
The company was founded in 1924 as "Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation", a wholesaler of ladies' coats and outerwear. The modern company was formed in 1972 when Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, purchased a warehouse in Burlington, New Jersey
, and started selling coats and outerwear. Monroe had already been a wholesaler of Ladies coats and suits in New York City for many years and his experience in the field of fashion and his deep understanding of the market and what the customers wanted guided his success. The company started gradually adding apparel, including suits, shoes, and accessories, and though the direct efforts of Henrietta branched out to include baby items. Current fashions in women's and men's, and Baby clothing and items including linens, were offered at considerable discount to some of its competition. MJM Designer Shoes and Cohoes Fashions are separate stores in the Burlington Coat Factory family.
In 2001, in the 9/11 attacks after hijacked Flight 175 penetrated through a tower of The World Trade Center, part of the plane's landing gear
and fuselage
came out the north side of the tower and crashed through the roof and two of the floors of the Burlington Coat Factory at 45–47 Park Place, between West Broadway
and Church Street
, (600 feet (180 meters)) north of the former World Trade Center. The plane parts destroyed three floor beams, and severely compromised the building's internal structure. Nine years later the building was part of a national controversy, as efforts to build a Muslim center and mosque at the site as the "Cordoba House" sparked a national controversy.
In 2007, the company closed three of its Cohoes stores, and converted two Cohoes stores to Burlington Coat Factory stores. As a result, all the fashions in New York Lottery
drawings provided by Cohoes Fashions Inc. were taken over by Burlington Coat Factory. As of July 2010, the two remaining Cohoes stores continued to operate under that name.
In 2011, the company reported to open 20 new stores this year and New flagship store in Bayamon, Puerto Rico
.
Under investigation from animal welfare organization Humane Society of the United States
, Burlington Coat Factory has been accused of labeling real fur products as "faux fur". The company agreed to pull the false advertisements after an undercover investigation revealed "faux fur" as actually made from the pelts of animals killed in China.http://www.hsus.org/furfree/news/press_releases/burlington_coat_factory_pulls_ads.html Burlington Coat Factory's coats have also been found to contain dog pelts.
Burlington Coat Factory's logo is often supplemented with the tag "Not Affiliated with Burlington Industries
." When Burlington Coat Factory settled a trademark dispute with fabric maker Burlington Industries
in 1981, Burlington Coat Factory agreed to say in advertising that the two companies are not affiliated. Even though Burlington Industries
ceased operations in 2004, it would be five years before the "not affiliated" disclaimer would disappear from TV commercials; it still appears in print media today. As of 2009, the sub heading has been removed from all logos used by the company.
and Ross Stores.
In 2006, after changing ownership, the company for the first time began offering cash and credit card refunds. Prior to this policy change, the only refunds were in the form of store credit, regardless of whether the customer had a receipt.
http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/content/real-estate/our-store
Department store
A department store is a retail establishment which satisfies a wide range of the consumer's personal and residential durable goods product needs; and at the same time offering the consumer a choice of multiple merchandise lines, at variable price points, in all product categories...
retailer focusing on clothing and shoes, with over 450 stores in 45 states and Puerto Rico.(as of 2010). In 2006, it was acquired by Bain Capital, LLC
Bain Capital
Bain Capital LLC is a Boston-based private equity firm founded in 1984 by partners from the consulting firm Bain & Company. Originally conceived as an early-stage, growth-oriented investment fund, Bain Capital today manages approximately $65 billion in assets, and its strategies include private...
in a take-private transaction. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Burlington Township, New Jersey
Burlington Township, New Jersey
- Local government :Burlington Township is governed under the Faulkner Act Plan E form of municipal government and consists of a mayor and a seven-member Township Council. The council is elected at-large in partisan elections to four-year terms in office on a staggered basis., the Mayor of...
.
History
Burlington Township, New Jersey
- Local government :Burlington Township is governed under the Faulkner Act Plan E form of municipal government and consists of a mayor and a seven-member Township Council. The council is elected at-large in partisan elections to four-year terms in office on a staggered basis., the Mayor of...
, and started selling coats and outerwear. Monroe had already been a wholesaler of Ladies coats and suits in New York City for many years and his experience in the field of fashion and his deep understanding of the market and what the customers wanted guided his success. The company started gradually adding apparel, including suits, shoes, and accessories, and though the direct efforts of Henrietta branched out to include baby items. Current fashions in women's and men's, and Baby clothing and items including linens, were offered at considerable discount to some of its competition. MJM Designer Shoes and Cohoes Fashions are separate stores in the Burlington Coat Factory family.
In 2001, in the 9/11 attacks after hijacked Flight 175 penetrated through a tower of The World Trade Center, part of the plane's landing gear
Landing Gear
Landing Gear is Devin the Dude's fifth studio album. It was released on October 7, 2008. It was his first studio album since signing with the label Razor & Tie. It features a high-profile guest appearance from Snoop Dogg. As of October 30, 2008, the album has sold 18,906 copies.-Track...
and fuselage
Fuselage
The fuselage is an aircraft's main body section that holds crew and passengers or cargo. In single-engine aircraft it will usually contain an engine, although in some amphibious aircraft the single engine is mounted on a pylon attached to the fuselage which in turn is used as a floating hull...
came out the north side of the tower and crashed through the roof and two of the floors of the Burlington Coat Factory at 45–47 Park Place, between West Broadway
West Broadway (Manhattan)
West Broadway, not to be confused with Broadway, is a north-south street in the New York City borough of Manhattan separated into two parts by a park. The northern part begins at TriBeCa Park, near the intersection of Sixth Avenue, Walker Street and Beach Street in TriBeCa...
and Church Street
Church Street (Manhattan)
Church Street is a short but heavily travelled north/south street in Lower Manhattan in New York City. It runs along the eastern edge of the site of the World Trade Center destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Its southern end is at Trinity Place, of which it is a continuation...
, (600 feet (180 meters)) north of the former World Trade Center. The plane parts destroyed three floor beams, and severely compromised the building's internal structure. Nine years later the building was part of a national controversy, as efforts to build a Muslim center and mosque at the site as the "Cordoba House" sparked a national controversy.
In 2007, the company closed three of its Cohoes stores, and converted two Cohoes stores to Burlington Coat Factory stores. As a result, all the fashions in New York Lottery
New York Lottery
The New York Lottery began in 1967 as the third modern U.S. lottery, after Puerto Rico's began in 1934, and New Hampshire's in 1964. It provides revenue for public education, and is based in Schenectady.-History:...
drawings provided by Cohoes Fashions Inc. were taken over by Burlington Coat Factory. As of July 2010, the two remaining Cohoes stores continued to operate under that name.
In 2011, the company reported to open 20 new stores this year and New flagship store in Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
.
Business issues
Humane Society of the United States
The Humane Society of the United States , based in Washington, D.C., is the largest animal advocacy organization in the world. In 2009, HSUS reported assets of over US$160 million....
, Burlington Coat Factory has been accused of labeling real fur products as "faux fur". The company agreed to pull the false advertisements after an undercover investigation revealed "faux fur" as actually made from the pelts of animals killed in China.http://www.hsus.org/furfree/news/press_releases/burlington_coat_factory_pulls_ads.html Burlington Coat Factory's coats have also been found to contain dog pelts.
Burlington Coat Factory's logo is often supplemented with the tag "Not Affiliated with Burlington Industries
Burlington Industries
Burlington Industries is a diversified U. S. fabric maker based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1923, the company has operations in the United States, Mexico, and India and a global manufacturing and product development network based in Hong Kong. The company entered Chapter 11...
." When Burlington Coat Factory settled a trademark dispute with fabric maker Burlington Industries
Burlington Industries
Burlington Industries is a diversified U. S. fabric maker based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1923, the company has operations in the United States, Mexico, and India and a global manufacturing and product development network based in Hong Kong. The company entered Chapter 11...
in 1981, Burlington Coat Factory agreed to say in advertising that the two companies are not affiliated. Even though Burlington Industries
Burlington Industries
Burlington Industries is a diversified U. S. fabric maker based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Founded in 1923, the company has operations in the United States, Mexico, and India and a global manufacturing and product development network based in Hong Kong. The company entered Chapter 11...
ceased operations in 2004, it would be five years before the "not affiliated" disclaimer would disappear from TV commercials; it still appears in print media today. As of 2009, the sub heading has been removed from all logos used by the company.
Market
Competitors to Burlington Coat Factory include T.J. MaxxT.J. Maxx
T.J. Maxx, sometimes referred to as TJ's or the Maxx, is an American department store chain owned by TJX Companies. With more than 900 stores T.J. Maxx is a major clothes retailer in the United States, whilst also operating stores in a number of other countries.-History:In 1976, T.J...
and Ross Stores.
In 2006, after changing ownership, the company for the first time began offering cash and credit card refunds. Prior to this policy change, the only refunds were in the form of store credit, regardless of whether the customer had a receipt.
Departments and services
A typical Burlington Coat Factory store includes menswear, sportswear, accessory, youth, and shoe departments. Most stores have two specialty departments. "Luxury Linens" sells linen and furniture items, as well as housewares and home decor items. The "Baby Depot" sells a variety of baby furniture and equipment and offers a baby registry service. Many stores also provide a tailor shop.http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/content/real-estate/our-store