Bedding

Kate Spade Corporate Office

Kate Brosnahan Spade started Kate Spade New York under the name Kate Spade Handbags in 1993 when she set out to design the perfect handbag.

Ms. Spade was a former accessories editor at Mademoiselle. Through her time at Mademoiselle, she noticed that the market lacked stylish and sensible handbags. This inspired her to create a line of handbags with classic shapes, colors, and fabrics.

The brand was sold to Neiman Marcus in 1996 and was then expanded to include stationary, personal organizers, address books, beauty products, perfume, raincoats, pajamas, and eyewear.

In 2004 Kate Spade Home was launched, featuring bedding, bath items, china, wallpaper, and other home products.

In 2007 the company was sold to Fifth & Pacific, formerly known as Liz Claiborne Inc.

In 2008 the new owners cashed out and a new management was installed. The new leadership then expanded the brand to jewelry, shoes, baby, fragrance, and gifts.

Kate Spade apparently committed suicide in her Manhattan apartment. She was 55.

Today Kate Spade New York is a global company with stores in Tokyo, London, Paris, and Germany. The company has retail, wholesale, and e-commerce business. Kate Spade had $462 million in sales in 2012.

Kate Spade

Kate Brosnahan Spade started Kate Spade New York under the name Kate Spade Handbags in 1993 when she set out to design the perfect handbag.

History

The brand was sold to Neiman Marcus in 1996 and was then expanded to include stationary, personal organizers, address books, beauty products, perfume, raincoats, pajamas, and eyewear.

In 2004 Kate Spade Home was launched, featuring bedding, bath items, china, wallpaper, and other home products.

In 2007 the company was sold to Fifth & Pacific, formerly known as Liz Claiborne Inc.

In 2008 the new owners cashed out and a new management was installed. The new leadership then expanded the brand to jewelry, shoes, baby, fragrance, and gifts.

Kate Spade apparently committed suicide in her Manhattan apartment. She was 55.

Overstock.com Corporate Office

Patrick M. Byrne founded Overstock.com in 1997 to sell surplus and returned inventory of retail stores, liquidating the inventories of at least 18 failed dot-com companies at prices that were below wholesale.

The first year of operation, Overstock.com had $1.8 million in revenue.

The company showed a profit for the first time in 2008. In 2009 the company resumed making losses and finally became profitable in 2010.

In recent years Overstock.com has expanded to sell new merchandise. From 2004 to 2011 the company offered online auctions but the practice was ultimately retired.

Overstock.com began rebranding in 2011 as “O.co” in an effort to simplify and unify its international operations. However, customer confusion led to a temporary retraction of the rebranding.

Today Overstock.com is an internet retailer providing discounts on brand name, non-brand name, and closeout merchandise in the United States and internationally. The company also has a vehicle selling service.

In September 2018, the company announced that it was selling Bitcoin through its website using Bitsey Wallet.

In August 2019, CEO Patrick Byrne stepped down after making claims that he had been an FBI informant and that he was involved romantically with a Russian spy. Jonathan Johnson was named as interim CEO.

Many products are made specifically for overstock.com and the company also sells merchandise of other retailers through its website. Overstock. com has 1,800 employees and had $1.745 billion in revenue in 2017.

Overstock.com

History

The first year of operation, Overstock.com had $1.8 million in revenue.

The company showed a profit for the first time in 2008. In 2009 the company resumed making losses and finally became profitable in 2010.

In recent years Overstock.com has expanded to sell new merchandise. From 2004 to 2011 the company offered online auctions but the practice was ultimately retired.

Overstock.com began rebranding in 2011 as “O.co” in an effort to simplify and unify its international operations. However, customer confusion led to a temporary retraction of the rebranding.

In September 2018, the company announced that it was selling Bitcoin through its website using Bitsey Wallet.

Belk Corporate Office

Belk was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina. The store was originally called New York Racket and then renamed to Belk Brothers.

In 1908, the company headquarters was moved to Charlotte, where it remains today. A huge flagship store was built where the Bank of America Corporate Center now stands.

In 1921, the Belks begin partnering with the Leggett brothers to open new stores.

In 1952, the company opens its first shopping center in Florida.

In 1956, department store chain Efird is acquired.

In 1988, a new corporate headquarters is constructed in Charlotte.

In 1998, the company consolidates its 112 brands to form Belk Inc.

In 2004, John M. Belk retires as CEO after 50 years of leading the company. He is replaced by Thomas Belk.

In April of 2015, Belk was sold to a private equity firm, Sycamore Partners. Since then, it has laid off more than 200 persons from the corporate office and slashed jobs across the board at all 300 store locations.

In June 2018, the company was listed as one of the three worst employers to work for in North Carolina.

Today, there are over 300 Belk department stores in the US.

Headquarters remain in Charlotte, North Carolina, at this time.

Belk

Belk was founded by William Henry Belk in 1888 in Monroe, North Carolina. The store was originally called New York Racket and then renamed to Belk Brothers.

In 1908, the company headquarters was moved to Charlotte, where it remains today. A huge flagship store was built where the Bank of America Corporate Center now stands.

History

In 1921, the Belks begin partnering with the Leggett brothers to open new stores.

In 1952, the company opens its first shopping center in Florida.

In 1956, department store chain Efird is acquired.

In 1988, a new corporate headquarters is constructed in Charlotte.

In 1998, the company consolidates its 112 brands to form Belk Inc.

In 2004, John M. Belk retires as CEO after 50 years of leading the company. He is replaced by Thomas Belk.

In June 2018, the company was listed as one of the three worst employers to work for in North Carolina.

Today, there are over 300 Belk department stores in the US.

Headquarters remain in Charlotte, North Carolina, at this time.

Ross Corporate Office

Ross Department Store was opened in 1950 by Morris Ross in San Bruno, California.

By 1981, Ross had built the company to 6 department stores.

In 1982, a group of investors led by Mervin Morris purchased the company and changed them to off-price retail stores called Ross Dress For Less.

By 1985, there were 107 Ross Dress For Less stores and the company goes public.

In 1992, the company introduces its Home Accents stores.

In 1994, the company adds a Bed and Bath department to its stores.

In 2004, dd’s Discounts in launched in California.

Today, the company operates over 1,000 stores in 29 US states. They are the third largest off-price retailer in the US market.

Ross Stores

Ross Department Store was opened in 1950 by Morris Ross in San Bruno, California.

By 1981, Ross had built the company to 6 department stores.

In 1982, a group of investors led by Mervin Morris purchased the company and changed them to off-price retail stores called Ross Dress For Less.

History

By 1985, there were 107 Ross Dress For Less stores and the company goes public.

In 1992, the company introduces its Home Accents stores.

In 1994, the company adds a Bed and Bath department to its stores.

In 2004, dd’s Discounts in launched in California.

Today, the company operates over 1,000 stores in 29 US states. They are the third largest off-price retailer in the US market.

Mattress Firm Corporate Office

Mattress Firm was founded in 1986 by Steve Fendrich, Harry Roberts and Paul Stork in Houston, Texas. The first store was a success and the company grew quickly through both corporately owned and franchise locations.

Fendrich left Mattress Firm in 2001. He rejoined the company in 2010.

By 2002, there were 250 corporately owned locations.

In 2010, co-founder Harry Roberts and his brother Charlie rejoined Mattress Firm. They are helping expand the franchise department.

In 2011, the company went public.

In 2012, the company acquired competitors Mattress Giant and Mattress Xpress.

Today, Mattress Firm is the largest bedding retailer in the US. The company currently operates over 1100 locations in 28 states.

The company filed for bankruptcy in October 2018. Longtime CEO Steve Stagner resigned in March 2018 and he was replaced by John Eck, former head of Univision, in May 2019.

The company successfully emerged from bankruptcy in late November 2018.

Mattress Firm

Fendrich left Mattress Firm in 2001. He rejoined the company in 2010.

History

By 2002, there were 250 corporately owned locations.

In 2010, co-founder Harry Roberts and his brother Charlie rejoined Mattress Firm. They are helping expand the franchise department.

In 2011, the company went public.

In 2012, the company acquired competitors Mattress Giant and Mattress Xpress.

Today, Mattress Firm is the largest bedding retailer in the US. The company currently operates over 1100 locations in 28 states.

The company filed for bankruptcy in October 2018. Longtime CEO Steve Stagner resigned in March 2018 and he was replaced by John Eck, former head of Univision, in May 2019.

The company successfully emerged from bankruptcy in late November 2018.