Jewelry

Bloomingdale’s Corporate Office

Brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale opened their first shop in 1872 at 938 Third Avenue in New York City.

At the time the Upper East Side of Manhattan was a working-class neighborhood with shantytowns, garbage dumps, and stockyards. Within a few years of the store opening the Metropolitan Museum of Art opened, Central Park was finished, and the Lexington Avenue line started construction, all of which brought wealthier customers to the neighborhood.

In 1886 the store moved to its current location at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. This was the center of the horse-drawn trolley system in New York and a convenient location for the store.

Today Bloomingdale’s is a chain of more than 35 upscale department stores and home stores in a dozen states. Bloomingdale’s is a subsidiary of Macy’s.

The Bloomingdale’s flagship store in New York City is a Manhattan institution and a tourist attraction.

Bloomingdale's

Brothers Joseph and Lyman G. Bloomingdale opened their first shop in 1872 at 938 Third Avenue in New York City.

In 1886 the store moved to its current location at 59th Street and Lexington Avenue. This was the center of the horse-drawn trolley system in New York and a convenient location for the store.

History

Today Bloomingdale’s is a chain of more than 35 upscale department stores and home stores in a dozen states. Bloomingdale’s is a subsidiary of Macy’s.

The Bloomingdale’s flagship store in New York City is a Manhattan institution and a tourist attraction.

Kmart Corporate Office

Kmart was founded by Sebastian S. Kresge when he invested in to five-and-dime stores that became the first S.S. Kresge stores in 1897.

By 1912 S.S. Kresge had 85 stores, by 1924, 257 stores, and by 1929, 597 stores.

The company first went public in 1918, trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

S.S. Kresge opened the first Kmart store on March 1, 1962. Eighteen more stores were opened that year.

In 1977 S.S. Kresge changed its name to Kmart Corporation.

Until 1990, when it was passed by Walmart, Kmart was the second-biggest retailer after Sears.

In 2002 the company filed for bankruptcy, emerging from bankruptcy protection as Kmart Holdings Corporation.

In 2004 the company bought Sears, changing its name to Sears Holding Corporation.

As of 2022, there are only 12 Kmart stores left in the US, with the majority being located in the US Virgin Islands.

Kmart

Kmart was founded by Sebastian S. Kresge when he invested in to five-and-dime stores that became the first S.S. Kresge stores in 1897.

By 1912 S.S. Kresge had 85 stores, by 1924, 257 stores, and by 1929, 597 stores.

The company first went public in 1918, trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

History

S.S. Kresge opened the first Kmart store on March 1, 1962. Eighteen more stores were opened that year.

In 1977 S.S. Kresge changed its name to Kmart Corporation.

Until 1990, when it was passed by Walmart, Kmart was the second-biggest retailer after Sears.

In 2002 the company filed for bankruptcy, emerging from bankruptcy protection as Kmart Holdings Corporation.

In 2004 the company bought Sears, changing its name to Sears Holding Corporation.

As of 2022, there are only 12 Kmart stores left in the US, with the majority being located in the US Virgin Islands.

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.

Bluestem Brands Corporate Office

Previous to 2010, Bluestem Brands was named Fingerhut Companies, Inc.

Fingerhut Companies, Inc. was founded in 1948 by William Fingerhut and his brother, Manny Fingerhut. At first, the company produced and sold automobile seat covers.

In 1952 the brothers reorganized their company as a mail-order company.

Fingerhut Companies went public in 1969.

In 1995 Fingerhut launched two e-commerce sites: fingerhut.com and AndysGarage.com.

The company was acquired several times in its history, with the most recent being by Bain Capital, the current owner of the company.

Since the acquisition of the company by Bain Capital the company has shown tremendous growth. Previous to 2004, the year of the first investment by Bain, Fingerhut had only $135 million annually in sales. In 2012 the company has $700 million in sales.

Fingerhut was rebranded as Bluestem Brands in 2010.

Today Bluestem Brands offers private-label and name-brand merchandise, including apparel, appliances, electronics, furniture, health and beauty products, jewelry, kitchenware, luggage, sporting goods, toys, and tools through its two e-commerce sites: fingerhut.com and Gettington.com. The company also owns and operates Paycheck Direct, an employee purchase plan whereby employees can buy big ticket items through interest-free payroll deductions.

Bluestem Brands, Inc.

Previous to 2010, Bluestem Brands was named Fingerhut Companies, Inc.

Fingerhut Companies, Inc. was founded in 1948 by William Fingerhut and his brother, Manny Fingerhut. At first, the company produced and sold automobile seat covers.

In 1952 the brothers reorganized their company as a mail-order company.

History

Fingerhut Companies went public in 1969.

In 1995 Fingerhut launched two e-commerce sites: fingerhut.com and AndysGarage.com.

The company was acquired several times in its history, with the most recent being by Bain Capital, the current owner of the company.

Fingerhut was rebranded as Bluestem Brands in 2010.

Blue Nile Inc. Corporate Office

Blue Nile Inc is a specialty retailer of online jewelry.

Blue Nile Inc. was founded in 1995 by Doug Williams. Mark C. Vadon, then of Bain & Company, raised $6 million to buy 85% of the business in 1999.

The company went public in 2004, raising $76 million with its IPO which was reinvested in the company.

In 2004 Blue Nile expanded to Canada, and the following year to the United Kingdom.

In 2006 Blue Nile sold $197 million in engagement rings and wedding bands.

Blue Nile markets itself as a supplier of conflict-free ethical diamonds.

Today Blue Nile is the largest online retailer of diamonds, serving customers in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region – more than 40 countries in all. Blue Nile has 200 employees and had $333 million in revenue in 2010.

Blue Nile Inc.

Blue Nile Inc is a specialty retailer of online jewelry.

Blue Nile Inc. was founded in 1995 by Doug Williams. Mark C. Vadon, then of Bain & Company, raised $6 million to buy 85% of the business in 1999.

The company went public in 2004, raising $76 million with its IPO which was reinvested in the company.

History

In 2004 Blue Nile expanded to Canada, and the following year to the United Kingdom.

In 2006 Blue Nile sold $197 million in engagement rings and wedding bands.

Blue Nile markets itself as a supplier of conflict-free ethical diamonds.