Burlington Coat Factory: Thrift Or Not?

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an off-price department store retailer with over 600 stores across the United States. It is not a thrift store, but a retailer of discounted new clothing and accessories. The company started as a family business in 1974, selling coats and jackets, and has since expanded its product range to include clothing, baby items, shoes, accessories, homeware, and pet supplies.

Burlington is not a thrift store

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is not a thrift store. It is an American national off-price department store retailer with over 1,000 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico. The company sells new, discounted items, including clothing, accessories, and home goods.

Burlington was started in 1974 as a family business by Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, in Burlington, New Jersey. The company's name was derived from its hometown. Over the years, Burlington has expanded its product offerings beyond coats to include clothing, baby items, shoes, accessories, linens, gift items, and home goods.

The company is known for its low prices, selling name-brand items at significantly discounted prices, typically about one-third of the price at high-end department stores. For example, a bathing suit that would sell elsewhere for upwards of $50 might be found at Burlington for around $15.

In addition to its focus on providing value to customers, Burlington is also known for its charitable partnerships. The company has partnered with organizations such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and WomenHeart, contributing to various causes, including finding a cure for leukemia and promoting women's heart health education.

While Burlington offers discounted prices on name-brand items, it is important to note that it is not a thrift store. Thrift stores typically sell used items, while Burlington sells new merchandise at lower prices.

It's an off-price department store retailer

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an off-price department store retailer. It is a division of Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation with more than 1,000 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico. The company's headquarters are located in Burlington Township, New Jersey.

Burlington is not a thrift store, but an off-price retailer. Thrift stores typically sell used goods, whereas Burlington sells new items at low prices. The company sources its inventory by buying distressed products from manufacturers and department stores, allowing it to offer significant discounts on name-brand items.

The company was started in 1974 by the Milstein family, who initially sold coats and jackets in wholesale. Over time, they expanded their product range to include clothing, accessories, linens, gift items, baby products, and shoes, to reduce their dependence on the seasonal coat business.

In 2006, the company was purchased by Bain Capital Partners for $2.06 billion, and the Milstein family made approximately $1.3 billion from the sale. The company went public again in 2013, and in 2016, it joined the Fortune 500 for the first time.

Today, Burlington sells a wide range of products, including clothing, baby clothes, furniture, home decor, pet supplies, and gifts. They are known for offering significant discounts on name-brand items, often selling them for about one-third of the price at high-end department stores.

In summary, Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an off-price department store retailer with a large number of stores across the United States. The company has a long history, starting as a family business and expanding over the years to offer a diverse range of products at discounted prices.

It's not affiliated with Burlington Industries

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an American national off-price department store retailer. It is a division of Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation, with more than 600 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Its headquarters are located in Burlington Township, New Jersey.

Burlington was started by the Milstein family in 1972. The company was formed when Henrietta Milstein convinced her husband, Monroe, to purchase a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,050. The money used for the down payment was saved by Henrietta from her job as a librarian. The Milsteins initially sold coats and jackets in wholesale but soon expanded their product line to include clothing items and accessories.

From 1981 until 2009, Burlington Coat Factory's logo was supplemented with the tag "Not Affiliated with Burlington Industries." This disclaimer was a result of a trademark dispute with fabric maker Burlington Industries that was settled in 1981. Despite Burlington Industries ceasing operations in 2004, the "not affiliated" disclaimer remained on advertising logos and company media until 2009.

Burlington Coat Factory is not a thrift store. Thrift stores typically sell used goods, while Burlington sells new, discounted items. The products sold at Burlington are often last season's items that did not sell elsewhere, allowing the company to buy quality clothes at low prices and pass the savings on to customers.

In summary, Burlington Coat Factory is not affiliated with Burlington Industries due to a trademark dispute in 1981. The company began as a family business in 1972 and has since expanded to become a successful off-price department store retailer with a strong presence across the United States.

It's present in almost every state

Burlington Coat Factory, now known simply as Burlington, is a national off-price department store retailer with a vast physical presence across the United States. The company operates over 600 stores in almost every state, with at least one store in all but five states, and an additional location in Puerto Rico.

The company's rapid expansion and widespread physical presence can be attributed to its strategy of targeting major metropolitan areas and large cities, ensuring a constant stream of foot traffic to its stores. This strategic location decision has contributed to Burlington's success and profitability, allowing it to establish itself in new markets and become a familiar name to shoppers across the country.

The number of Burlington stores varies by state, with some states having only one location while others host several. The company's focus on opening stores in populous areas and large cities ensures that most people have had the opportunity to shop at Burlington, either in their state or during travels to other parts of the country.

The widespread presence of Burlington stores across the United States has contributed to its brand recognition and accessibility to customers. With stores in major metropolitan areas and large cities, Burlington has made its products and discounts conveniently available to a wide range of consumers, contributing to its success and popularity as a national retailer.

In addition to its physical stores, Burlington has also developed a data-driven real estate location strategy, identifying potential intersections ("seed points") that could support up to 1000 stores over time. This strategy demonstrates the company's commitment to expanding its physical presence and ensuring accessibility to customers across the nation.

It's involved in charitable causes

Burlington is a company that is well known for its involvement with various charitable causes. The company has long been involved with these types of initiatives and has continued to do so under new ownership. Here are some examples of its charitable work:

• Leukemia Cure: Burlington is known to frequently help with charitable causes, including attempting to find a cure for leukemia. This demonstrates their commitment to making a positive impact in the realm of healthcare.
• Coat Drive: The company also contributes to a yearly coat drive, ensuring that individuals who cannot afford to purchase their own coats can stay warm during the cold months. This is a way for Burlington to give back to the community and help those in need.
• Heart Health Awareness: In an unusual initiative, Burlington purchased and decorated a bus to raise awareness about heart health for women. The bus travelled across the country, offering free health checks and educational sessions on how diet and exercise impact heart health.
• Local Community Organisations: Burlington has listings from Charity and Not-for-Profit organisations in its community. These include organisations such as the BurlingtonGreen Environmental Association, The Darling Home for Kids, and the Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services. By providing a platform for these organisations, Burlington helps raise awareness and support for their causes.
• Burlington Foundation: The Burlington Foundation is a philanthropic organisation that works with the community to address vital needs, make grants, and build legacies for the future. They have a deep understanding of the community's pressing needs and can match funding from endowment funds to where it is most needed.

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