Retail

Zales Corporate Office

Zales was founded in 1924 when brothers Morris and William Zale and Ben Lipshy opened a jewelry store in Wichita Falls, Texas. Zales revolutionized the jewelry industry by offering payment plans that made jewelry affordable for everyone.

By 1942, there were 12 stores in Texas and Oklahoma.

In 1957, the company opened its first shopping mall location.

In 1958, the company went public.

In 1998, the company began selling jewelry online at zales.com.

In 2000, the company acquired Piercing Pagoda and Peoples Jewellers of Canada.

In 2014, Signet Jewelers acquired Zales, which will continue under the Zales name and operate as a subsidiary. This sale created a company worth $6.2 billion.

Today, Zales operates over 1750 locations in the US and Canada. These stores operate under several brands, including Zales, Gordon’s Jewelers, Piercing Pagoda, Zales Outlet, Kay Jewelers, and Peoples Jewellers.

In 2013, the company had $1.888 billion in revenue.

In January 2017, Zales announced it would close many of its mall stores when the leases expire due to lackluster sales.

Zale's

History

By 1942, there were 12 stores in Texas and Oklahoma.

In 1957, the company opened its first shopping mall location.

In 1958, the company went public.

In 1998, the company began selling jewelry online at zales.com.

In 2000, the company acquired Piercing Pagoda and Peoples Jewellers of Canada.

In 2014, Signet Jewelers acquired Zales, which will continue under the Zales name and operate as a subsidiary. This sale created a company worth $6.2 billion.

In 2013, the company had $1.888 billion in revenue.

In January 2017, Zales announced it would close many of its mall stores when the leases expire due to lackluster sales.

Aeropostale Corporate Office

Aeropostale was the brainchild of the R.H. Macy Co. and was created in the early 1980s. The original plan was a clothing store targeted to 20 somethings.

The first mall based Aeropostale, or Aero for short, was opened in 1987. By then, the target demographic had changed to 14 to 17 year old girls.

In 1995, Macy’s sold Aeropostale to Bear Sterns Merchant Banking division.

In 2002, the company went public.

In 2009, the company launched P.S. from Aeropostale. The P.S. line is targeted towards 7-12 year olds. The company added merchandise for 5 and 6 year olds in 2011.

Today, the company operates over 1,000 stores in the US and Canada. Most locations are located in shopping malls. In addition, the company licenses their brand to other operators in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. There are currently 27 international locations.

In September of 2016, the company filed for bankruptcy protection. Aeropostale is expected to come out of bankruptcy in 2017 with only 229 locations. The company was acquired by Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties.

Aeropostale

Aeropostale was the brainchild of the R.H. Macy Co. and was created in the early 1980s. The original plan was a clothing store targeted to 20 somethings.

The first mall based Aeropostale, or Aero for short, was opened in 1987. By then, the target demographic had changed to 14 to 17 year old girls.

In 1995, Macy’s sold Aeropostale to Bear Sterns Merchant Banking division.

History

In 2002, the company went public.

In 2009, the company launched P.S. from Aeropostale. The P.S. line is targeted towards 7-12 year olds. The company added merchandise for 5 and 6 year olds in 2011.

Wet Seal Corporate Office

Wet Seal began as Lorne’s in 1962 in Newport Beach, California. It was founded by Lorne Huycke. The chain focuses on young women’s clothing and accessories.

In 1990, the company name was changed to Wet Seal.

In 1995, the company acquired Contempo Casuals from Neiman Marcus. Those stores were renamed to Wet Seal in 2001.

In 1998, the company launched Arden B.

In 2010, Blink by Wet Seal was launched. The Blink brand focuses on denim.

Today, Wet Seal operates 530 stores in 47 US states and Puerto Rico.

Wet Seal

Wet Seal began as Lorne’s in 1962 in Newport Beach, California. It was founded by Lorne Huycke. The chain focuses on young women’s clothing and accessories.

In 1990, the company name was changed to Wet Seal.

In 1995, the company acquired Contempo Casuals from Neiman Marcus. Those stores were renamed to Wet Seal in 2001.

History

In 1998, the company launched Arden B.

In 2010, Blink by Wet Seal was launched. The Blink brand focuses on denim.

Today, Wet Seal operates 530 stores in 47 US states and Puerto Rico.

Ulta Corporate Office

Ulta was founded in 1990 by Terry Hanson and Dick George. George had worked many years of Osco Drugs when he decided to quit in 1989 and make his own company. This company would eventually become Ulta.

In 1999, Lyn Kirby was appointed to President and CEO.

In addition to its own brand of cosmetics and skin care products, the company is known for carrying high-end beauty products, all in one store.

In 2007, the company went public on the NASDAQ under stock symbol ULTA.

In 2008, a second distribution center was opened in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 2010, Chuck Rubin was appointed as President and COO.

In 2013. Mary Dillion took over as CEO of the company. She is generally credited with taking the company from a small, strip mall operation to one of the leading beauty companies today.

In 2016, the company listed an annual revenue of $4.85 billion.

Beginning in June of 2017, the company will be offering MAC cosmetics both online and in stores.

CEO Mary Dillion said in an interview with Forbes that anything is possible with hard work and persistence.

Ulta had put plans to open in Canda on hold in September 2020, due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Also in a September 2020 interview, the CEO of Ulta stated that while business was better than expected, she was cautious about expected profits in the second part of the year.

Today, Ulta is a leading cosmetics, hair and skin care retailer. The company operates over 970 stores in 45 states and plans to reach the 1,000 mark in 2018. Each store has its own salon and offers tutorials on how to use the makeup and other products the company sells.

Ulta

In 1999, Lyn Kirby was appointed to President and CEO.

History

In addition to its own brand of cosmetics and skin care products, the company is known for carrying high-end beauty products, all in one store.

In 2007, the company went public on the NASDAQ under stock symbol ULTA.

In 2008, a second distribution center was opened in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 2010, Chuck Rubin was appointed as President and COO.

In 2013. Mary Dillion took over as CEO of the company. She is generally credited with taking the company from a small, strip mall operation to one of the leading beauty companies today.

In 2016, the company listed an annual revenue of $4.85 billion.

Beginning in June of 2017, the company will be offering MAC cosmetics both online and in stores.

CEO Mary Dillion said in an interview with Forbes that anything is possible with hard work and persistence.

Ulta had put plans to open in Canda on hold in September 2020, due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Also in a September 2020 interview, the CEO of Ulta stated that while business was better than expected, she was cautious about expected profits in the second part of the year.

Dollar Tree Corporate Office

Dollar Tree began in 1953 when K.R. Perry opened a Ben Franklin store in Norfolk, Virginia. The store was later renamed to K&K 5&10 and then to K&K Toys.

In 1986, the company opened a new dollar store concept called Only $1.00 in Dalton, Georgia. The concept was so successful that 5 more locations were opened that same year.

In 1991, K&K Toys division was sold to KB Toys so the company could focus on Only $1.00.

In 1993, the company name was changed to Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.

In 1995, the company went public.

In 1996, the company acquires 136 Dollar Bills stores. In 2000, Dollar Express is acquired.

In 2006, the 3000th Dollar Tree location opens.

In 2010, the 4000th Dollar Tree opens.

In 2012, the company began accepting manufacturer’s coupons.

In late 2018, Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar stores for $8.5 billion. Many Family Dollar stores are being rebranded.

In April of 2019, Dollar Tree announced that it would close more than 390 Family Dollar locations, but will expand or renovate 400 other locations.

In March of 2020, many retail stores had to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, costing them millions. Dollar Tree was one exception, with people buying everything from toilet paper to alcohol.

In January 2023. Dollar Tree announced a new CEO and a new outlook for its stores.

Headquarters for Dollar Tree are located in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree began in 1953 when K.R. Perry opened a Ben Franklin store in Norfolk, Virginia. The store was later renamed to K&K 5&10 and then to K&K Toys.

In 1986, the company opened a new dollar store concept called Only $1.00 in Dalton, Georgia. The concept was so successful that 5 more locations were opened that same year.

History

In 1991, K&K Toys division was sold to KB Toys so the company could focus on Only $1.00.

In 1993, the company name was changed to Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.

In 1995, the company went public.

In 1996, the company acquires 136 Dollar Bills stores. In 2000, Dollar Express is acquired.

In 2006, the 3000th Dollar Tree location opens.

In 2010, the 4000th Dollar Tree opens.

In 2012, the company began accepting manufacturer’s coupons.

In late 2018, Dollar Tree acquired Family Dollar stores for $8.5 billion. Many Family Dollar stores are being rebranded.

In April of 2019, Dollar Tree announced that it would close more than 390 Family Dollar locations, but will expand or renovate 400 other locations.

In March of 2020, many retail stores had to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, costing them millions. Dollar Tree was one exception, with people buying everything from toilet paper to alcohol.

In January 2023. Dollar Tree announced a new CEO and a new outlook for its stores.

Headquarters for Dollar Tree are located in Chesapeake, Virginia.