Burrlington's Coat Conundrum

why does burrlington coat factory not have many coats now

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an American national off-price department store retailer with over 1,000 stores in 40 states and Puerto Rico. The company was founded in 1972 by Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, who purchased a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,050. Initially, the store sold only coats and jackets, but over the years, they expanded their product range to include clothing, accessories, linens, gift items, baby products, and shoes.

Today, Burlington stores offer a wide variety of merchandise, including discounted brand-name shoes, clothing, baby furniture, and accessories. While coats may no longer be the primary focus of their business, they still sell a range of outerwear, including winter coats, puffer jackets, trench coats, and more. The company's decision to diversify its product range was likely influenced by the seasonal nature of the coat business, as well as a desire to attract customers throughout the year.

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Burlington Coat Factory sells more than just coats

Burlington Coat Factory, now known simply as Burlington, is an American national off-price department store retailer with over 1,000 stores across 40 states and Puerto Rico. The company was founded in 1972 by Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, who purchased a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,050. The Milsteins initially sold coats and jackets in wholesale but soon expanded their product range to include clothing, accessories, linens, gift items, baby products, and shoes. This diversification allowed them to reduce their dependence on the seasonal coat business.

Today, Burlington offers a wide range of products beyond just coats. Their stores cater to ladies, mens, kids, baby, and home sections, with a variety of items on offer. For women, they offer dresses, sets, handbags, shoes, and beauty items, among others. Men can find clothing and junior styles, while the baby section includes furniture and accessories. The home section provides deals on various items, and there is also a separate shoe section with brand-name footwear.

The company has expanded significantly since its early days, with over 500 stores across the country by 2013. In 2016, Burlington joined the Fortune 500 for the first time, reflecting its success and growth in the off-price retail market. The company has also been actively involved in charitable partnerships, such as the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night campaign and the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive, where they collect and distribute coats for those in need.

While coats may have been their initial focus, Burlington has successfully diversified its product range to cater to a wide range of customer needs, solidifying its position as a prominent off-price retailer in the American market.

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The company has expanded its product range to include clothing, accessories, baby items, and homeware

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, is an American national off-price department store retailer with over 1,000 stores across 40 states and Puerto Rico. The company has expanded its product range to include clothing, accessories, baby items, and homeware.

The company was founded in 1972 by Monroe Milstein and his wife, Henrietta Milstein, who purchased a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,050. Initially, the store focused on wholesale coats and jackets, but over time, they began adding new product lines to reduce their dependence on the seasonal coat business. They introduced clothing items and accessories, gradually expanding their offerings to include linens, gift items, baby products, and shoes.

Today, Burlington offers a wide range of products beyond coats. They sell discounted brand-name shoes, clothing, baby furniture, and accessories. The company operates under different brand names, including MJM Designers Shoes, Cohoes Fashions, Super Baby Depot, and Burlington Stores.

The company's product expansion strategy has been a key factor in its success, allowing it to attract a diverse range of customers and maintain profitability throughout the year, rather than relying solely on seasonal coat sales. By diversifying their inventory, Burlington has transformed itself from a seasonal coat factory to a thriving department store offering a variety of products to meet the needs of its customers.

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Burlington Coat Factory has over 500 stores across the US

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 now owns and operates over 500 stores in 44 states and Puerto Rico.

The company's initial strategy was to offer a wide range of first-quality, branded outerwear for families at prices below department store prices. However, to reduce dependence on the seasonal coat business, they soon expanded their product range to include clothing, accessories, linens, gift items, baby furniture and accessories, and shoes.

By 1982, the company's annual sales had exceeded $130 million, and they went public for the first time in 1983. By the end of the 1980s, Burlington had expanded to 134 stores in 37 states, with net sales of over $600 million. The company continued to grow, and by 2005, they operated 362 stores in 42 states, with $3.2 billion in annual sales.

In 2006, Bain Capital acquired the company, and it was taken private. The company continued to expand, and in 2012, they opened their 500th store. In October of that year, Burlington went public again, and by the end of 2013, they operated 521 stores, generating $4.4 billion in annual sales.

The company has continued to thrive, surpassing $5 billion in sales in 2015 and setting a long-term target of 2,000 stores in 2020. As of 2024, Burlington has more than 1,000 stores across the US.

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The company was started by the Milstein family in 1972

The company, originally known as Burlington Coat Factory, was started by the Milstein family in 1972. Monroe Milstein and his father, Abe, had been running a successful wholesale and retail outerwear business together since 1946. In 1972, Monroe's wife, Henrietta Milstein, convinced him to purchase a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey, for $675,050. She used 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 clothing items and accessories to reduce their dependence on the seasonal coat business. Over time, they expanded their product line to include linens, gift items, baby products, and shoes. This diversification laid the foundation for the company's growth and success.

The Milsteins opened their first Burlington Coat Factory store in 1972, and by 1975, they had established a second location in Copiague on Long Island. Lazer, Monroe and Henrietta's son, acted as the legal owner of the second store on the condition that it would remain closed on Saturdays in observance of the Sabbath. This condition was significant because, at the time, businesses faced legal action for being open on Sundays, with an exception made for religions observing an alternative Sabbath day.

The company, named Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation since its purchase by the family in 1972, went public in 1983 with 31 locations. By this time, the company had expanded beyond coats and was well on its way to becoming a giant in the retail industry.

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The company has been involved in charitable partnerships and initiatives

Burlington, formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, has a long history of charitable partnerships and initiatives. The company has been committed to giving back to the communities in which it operates and has made significant contributions over the years.

One of Burlington's notable charitable partnerships is its work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Since 2002, they have joined the Light the Night campaign, collecting donations at store checkouts and raising awareness for the organisation. In 2013 alone, they raised over $3 million, bringing their total contribution to over $19 million.

In addition to this, Burlington launched the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive in 2006. By partnering with ABC's Good Morning America and the national nonprofit Fashion Delivers, they collected and distributed over 1.2 million coats to those in need. This initiative embodied the company's roots in the coat business and demonstrated their commitment to making a positive impact.

Burlington has also shown dedication to promoting women's health and heart disease education. Since 2012, they have partnered with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. As part of this partnership, they hold an annual Red Dress Event, where they sell red dresses in stores, donating $1 from every sale to WomenHeart.

The company further showcases its commitment to empowering youth through partnerships with organisations like YouthBuild USA and AdoptAClassroom.org. These partnerships focus on providing educational opportunities and resources to young adults who are not in school or employed, helping them reclaim their education and gain job skills to build brighter futures.

Additionally, Burlington has a history of partnering with local non-profit organisations and initiatives, such as the Her Honor charitable organisation, which provides mentorship and professional development opportunities for young women in underserved communities. Through volunteerism and mentorship, Burlington associates actively engage in making a difference in their communities.

Through these charitable partnerships and initiatives, Burlington has demonstrated a strong commitment to social responsibility and adding value to the communities it serves. The company's efforts have positively impacted the lives of individuals across the nation.

Frequently asked questions

Burlington Coat Factory, now known as Burlington, has expanded its product range since its founding in 1972. While coats were its initial focus, the company has since diversified to include clothing, baby furniture, accessories, and shoes.

Burlington sells a wide range of clothing items, including dresses, sets, handbags, shoes, and junior's styles.

Yes, they do. While the range has expanded, coats remain a key part of their business.

The company wanted to reduce its dependence on the seasonal coat business and increase year-round sales.

Yes, Burlington has a strong commitment to providing good value to its customers. By offering a diverse selection of items at affordable prices, they can ensure their customers have a variety of options to choose from.

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