Burlington Coat Factory: Profits And Philanthropy

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an American national off-price department store retailer and a division of Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation. The company has over 1,000 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico, with its headquarters in Burlington Township, New Jersey.

The company was founded in 1972 by Henrietta and Monroe Milstein, who purchased a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,050. Initially, the Milsteins sold coats and jackets, but they soon expanded their product range to include clothing, accessories, linens, gift items, baby products, and shoes.

In 2006, the company was acquired by Bain Capital Partners for $2.06 billion, and it went public again in 2013. As of 2013, the company operated 503 stores under various names, including Burlington Coat Factory, Cohoes Fashions, Baby Depot, and MJM Designer Shoes.

Burlington has a large number of physical stores across the US and Puerto Rico, and its employees are paid an average of $12.29 an hour. The company has a history of charitable partnerships and initiatives, such as coat drives and fundraising campaigns.

Burlington Coat Factory sells discounted brand-name clothing and accessories

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an American national off-price department store retailer. It operates over 500 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico, selling discounted brand-name clothing, baby furniture, and accessories. The company was founded in 1972 by Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, who purchased a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey. The Milsteins initially sold coats and jackets in wholesale but soon expanded their product range to include clothing, accessories, linens, gift items, and shoes to boost year-round sales.

The company has grown significantly since its early days, and today, it offers a wide range of products at discounted prices. The modern Burlington store sells clothing, accessories, handbags, home items, and even pet supplies. They offer significant discounts on brand-name items, often selling them for about one-third of the price at high-end department stores. For example, a bathing suit that would typically cost upwards of $50 elsewhere can be found at Burlington for around $15. This pricing strategy has been a significant driver of their success, attracting customers seeking good value for their money.

In addition to their focus on discounted brand-name products, Burlington has also built a reputation for its charitable partnerships. They have collaborated with various organizations over the years, including the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. Their annual fundraisers and donation drives have made a significant impact, raising millions of dollars for worthy causes.

While Burlington has faced some controversies, such as accusations of mislabelling real fur products as "faux fur," they have taken steps to address these issues. The company continues to be a popular destination for shoppers seeking discounted brand-name clothing and accessories, contributing to its success and growth over the years.

The company operates over 500 stores in 40+ US states and Puerto Rico

Burlington Coat Factory, now known simply as Burlington, has expanded far beyond its original Burlington, New Jersey store. The company opened its first store in 1972 and has since grown to over 500 stores across the United States and Puerto Rico.

In 1975, the company opened its second location in Copiague on Long Island. By 1982, annual sales had exceeded $130 million, and by the end of the 1980s, the company operated 134 stores in 37 states, with net sales of over $600 million. The company continued to expand, and by 2005, it had 362 stores in 42 states, generating $3.2 billion in annual sales.

In 2006, Bain Capital acquired Burlington, and the company went private. At the time, it operated 368 stores and brought in $3.4 billion in annual sales. The company continued to grow, and by 2012, it had opened its 500th store. In 2013, Burlington went public again, and as of that year, it operated 503 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico under various names, including Burlington Coat Factory, Cohoes Fashions, Baby Depot, and MJM Designer Shoes.

As of 2024, Burlington has more than 1,000 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico, with its headquarters in Burlington Township, New Jersey. The company's success can be attributed to its ability to adapt and change with the times, offering a broad range of first-quality, branded merchandise at discounted prices.

It was founded in 1972 as a family business and is now publicly traded

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, was founded in 1972 as a family business. The company's roots go as far back as 1924 when it was founded as a wholesaler of ladies' coats and junior suits. In 1972, Burlington started its retail business, opening its first store in Burlington, New Jersey. The company was founded by Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, who convinced her husband to purchase a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,050. Henrietta used the money she had saved from her job as a librarian for most of the $75,000 down payment.

Initially, the Milsteins sold coats and jackets in wholesale, but they soon began adding other clothing items and accessories to reduce their dependency on the seasonal coat business. They expanded their product line to include linens, gift items, baby products, and shoes. The company's initial strategy was to offer a wide range of first-quality, branded outerwear for families at prices significantly below department store prices. In its first year, the company's sales were $1.5 million.

The company expanded rapidly, opening a second location in 1975 in Copiague on Long Island. By 1982, the company's annual sales had exceeded $130 million, and in 1983, with 31 locations, it went public for the first time. The company operated 31 stores at the time of its initial public offering (IPO) and used the capital raised to double its store count to 68 stores by 1985.

By the end of the 1980s, Burlington Coat Factory had experienced significant growth, operating 134 stores in 37 states, with net sales exceeding $600 million. The company continued to expand throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, and by 2005, it operated 362 stores in 42 states, generating $3.2 billion in annual sales. In 2006, the company was acquired by Bain Capital Partners for $2.06 billion, and it was taken private. The Milstein family made a substantial profit from this sale, holding almost 30 million shares of the company.

In 2013, Burlington Coat Factory became a public company again, and its stock rose more than 40% on its first day of trading. The company has continued to thrive, surpassing $5 billion in sales in 2015 and expanding its store count to over 500 locations. In 2016, the company rebranded itself from Burlington Coat Factory to Burlington Stores to communicate that they offered more than just coats. As of 2024, Burlington operates over 1,000 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico and is the third-largest off-price retailer in the United States.

The average Burlington Coat Factory employee earns $12.29 an hour

Burlington Coat Factory, now known simply as Burlington, is a retailer with over 600 stores in almost every state in the US, as well as Puerto Rico. The company was started in 1972 in Burlington, New Jersey, and has been in business for almost 50 years.

According to one source, Burlington employees earn $30,000 annually on average, or $14 per hour. This is 75% lower than the national salary average of $66,000 per year. However, another source states that Burlington employees earn an average of $71,464 a year, with salaries ranging from $47,022 to $109,286 a year. The discrepancy between these two figures may be due to the fact that the former figure is based on 19 survey responses, while the latter is based on only 38 responses.

The highest-paying job at Burlington is Regional Vice President, with a salary of $150,000 annually, while the lowest-paying job is Customer Service Assistant, with a salary of $14,000 annually. Other roles at the company include Sales Associate, Cashier, Manager, Regional Merchandise Trainer, Organizational Development Specialist, IT Support Specialist, Department Manager, and Store Manager.

The company has been involved in charitable causes, including coat drives

Burlington Coat Factory has been involved in various charitable causes and initiatives over the years. The company has a tradition of giving back to the communities in which it operates and has raised and donated significant amounts to numerous non-profit organisations.

One of Burlington's notable charitable efforts is its involvement in coat drives. The company hosts an annual signature philanthropic program called "Warm Coats & Warm Hearts" in partnership with ABC's Good Morning America and Delivering Good. In 2018, this program collected 215,000 new and gently used coats in stores nationwide, donating them to those in need within the communities served by Burlington. Since its inception in 2006, the "Warm Coats & Warm Hearts" program has collected and distributed over 2.2 million coats.

In addition to the annual coat drive, Burlington also launched the Burlington Coat Event in 2023. During this event, for every 50,000 coats purchased in Burlington stores during a specific period in November, the company donated a new coat to a child in need in local communities across the nation. This initiative was also done in partnership with Delivering Good.

Burlington has also been involved in other charitable causes. The company has partnered with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), the world's largest voluntary health organisation dedicated to fighting blood cancer. In 2018, Burlington raised $5.1 million for LLS, bringing its total donations over the past 17 years to nearly $38 million. The company is proud to be LLS's #1 National Corporate Partner.

Furthermore, Burlington has shown its commitment to education by partnering with AdoptAClassroom.org, a national non-profit that provides teachers with funds to secure necessary classroom materials. Over two years, Burlington raised $3.5 million, supporting approximately 6,000 teachers and 150,000 students. The company also launched a partnership with Her Honor in 2023, a charitable organisation that provides mentorship and professional development opportunities for young women in underserved communities. Select Burlington associates volunteer as mentors while also empowering the communities served by the company.

Through these initiatives and more, Burlington Coat Factory demonstrates its dedication to social responsibility and giving back to the communities in which it operates.

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