Footwear

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.

Rue 21 Corporate Office

Rue 21 was originally known as Pennsylvania Fashions Inc. Pennsylvania Fashions Inc filed for bankruptcy in 2002. The 250 store chain was purchased by Saunders Karp & Megrue and renamed to Rue 21.

In 2009, the company opened its 500th location and went public.

In 2011, the company announced it would double the size of its distribution center in Weirton, West Virginia.

By 2012, there were 800 stores.

In 2013, the 900th store was opened.

Today, there are 1,213 Rue 21 stores in 48 US states. The company is a discount retailer of young adult clothing and accessories.

Rue 21

Rue 21 was originally known as Pennsylvania Fashions Inc. Pennsylvania Fashions Inc filed for bankruptcy in 2002. The 250 store chain was purchased by Saunders Karp & Megrue and renamed to Rue 21.

In 2009, the company opened its 500th location and went public.

In 2011, the company announced it would double the size of its distribution center in Weirton, West Virginia.

History

By 2012, there were 800 stores.

In 2013, the 900th store was opened.

Today, there are 1,213 Rue 21 stores in 48 US states. The company is a discount retailer of young adult clothing and accessories.

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.

Crocs Corporate Office

Crocs was founded in 2002 by friends Scott Seamans, Lyndon (Duke) Hanson, and George Boedecker, Jr. The original Crocs designed was acquired from a Quebec company called Foam Creations.

The first model, called The Beach, was unveiled at the 2002 Ft. Lauderdale boat show. All 200 pairs were sold at the show.

In 2003, the friend of the founders Ron Snyder was hired as CEO.

In 2004, the company acquired Finproject NA, the company who owned the proprietary foam formula.

In 2006, the company went public.

In 2008, after a 90% drop in stock price, the company hired former Nike executive Adam Baker to revamp their marketing.

In May 2018, Crocs stocks jumped nearly 160% on a resurgence of popularity.

Crocs is a specialty shoe manufacturer that also sells clothing and accessories.

Crocs

Crocs was founded in 2002 by friends Scott Seamans, Lyndon (Duke) Hanson, and George Boedecker, Jr. The original Crocs designed was acquired from a Quebec company called Foam Creations.

The first model, called The Beach, was unveiled at the 2002 Ft. Lauderdale boat show. All 200 pairs were sold at the show.

In 2003, the friend of the founders Ron Snyder was hired as CEO.

History

In 2004, the company acquired Finproject NA, the company who owned the proprietary foam formula.

In 2006, the company went public.

In 2008, after a 90% drop in stock price, the company hired former Nike executive Adam Baker to revamp their marketing.

In May 2018, Crocs stocks jumped nearly 160% on a resurgence of popularity.

Crocs is a specialty shoe manufacturer that also sells clothing and accessories.

Patagonia Corporate Office

Patagonia was founded by climber Yvon Chouinard in 1973. Couinard previously owned a climbing supply company called Chouinard Equipment.

In 1977, the company introduced a pile sweater, the first multi-layer outdoor clothing.

In 1984, the company discovered Capilene, a polyester that would not melt in the dryer.

In 1986, the company began donating 10% of its profits to environmental causes.

The company grew rapidly in the 90s. After growing too quickly, a bank called a loan due early, and the company was forced to lay off 20% of its workforce.

In 2008, the company received the “Eco Brand of the Year” award.

Today, Patagonia is a leading retailer of high-end outdoor clothing.

In 2022, the owner and founder of Patagonia stated that he intended to give away his $3 billion company in order to help save the planet.

Patagonia maintains a corporate office in Ventura, California.

Patagonia

Patagonia was founded by climber Yvon Chouinard in 1973. Couinard previously owned a climbing supply company called Chouinard Equipment.

In 1977, the company introduced a pile sweater, the first multi-layer outdoor clothing.

History

In 1984, the company discovered Capilene, a polyester that would not melt in the dryer.

In 1986, the company began donating 10% of its profits to environmental causes.

The company grew rapidly in the 90s. After growing too quickly, a bank called a loan due early, and the company was forced to lay off 20% of its workforce.

In 2008, the company received the “Eco Brand of the Year” award.

Today, Patagonia is a leading retailer of high-end outdoor clothing.

In 2022, the owner and founder of Patagonia stated that he intended to give away his $3 billion company in order to help save the planet.

Patagonia maintains a corporate office in Ventura, California.