Retail

Safeway Corporate Office

Safeway was originally founded in American Falls, Idaho, when Marion Barton Skaggs purchased his father’s grocery store for $1,089 in 1915. Originally called Skaggs United, Marion enlisted the help of his 5 brothers to help expand the business. In 1925, Skaggs doubled the number of stores when he purchased Sam Seelig’s grocery stores. The name was then changed to Safeway.

By 1926, there were 322 stores in southern California and controlling interest in the company was sold to Merrill Lynch.

In 1927, the company went public. In 1929, the company expanded to Canada.

By 1932, there were 3400 Safeway stores.

In 1959, the first store was opened in Alaska.

In 1986, the company was taken private by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The company subsequently sold off many of its holdings to pay down assumed debt.

In 1990, the company went public again.

Safeway, like many other grocery chains, is trying to entice customers into shopping online and having them delivered but most customers would rather shop at the stores, according to Forbes.

Today, Safeway has over 900 stores in the United States and 224 stores in Canada. 80% of the stores are located in the Western parts of each country.

Safeway

History

By 1926, there were 322 stores in southern California and controlling interest in the company was sold to Merrill Lynch.

In 1927, the company went public. In 1929, the company expanded to Canada.

By 1932, there were 3400 Safeway stores.

In 1959, the first store was opened in Alaska.

In 1986, the company was taken private by private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts. The company subsequently sold off many of its holdings to pay down assumed debt.

In 1990, the company went public again.

Safeway, like many other grocery chains, is trying to entice customers into shopping online and having them delivered but most customers would rather shop at the stores, according to Forbes.

Today, Safeway has over 900 stores in the United States and 224 stores in Canada. 80% of the stores are located in the Western parts of each country.

Sherwin Williams Corporate Office

Sherwin Williams was founded in 1866 in Cleveland, Ohio by Henry Sherwin and Edwards Williams. They initially sold pigments and painting supplies.

In 1877, the company developed the first re-sealable paint can.

In 1884, Percy Neyman was hired as a paint chemist, a first in the industry.

The company acquired several competitors in the early 1900s, including the Martin-Senour Company.

In 1920, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: SHW.

The company had financial issues in the 1970s but bounced back in the 80s and acquired rivals Dutch Boy and Dupli-Color.

In March of 2016, it was announced that Valspar would be acquired for $11.3 billion. The merger was finalized June 1st, 2017.

In January of 2014, the Santa Clara County Superior Court ruled that Sherwin-Williams, along with ConAgra and NL Industries, were jointly and singularly liable for $1.15 billion, to be paid into a lead paint abatement fund to be used to remove lead paint from older housing units. The judge ruled that the paint companies manufactured, marketed, and sold lead paint without disclosing the health risks to the consumers in spite of “actual and constructive knowledge that it was harmful. In March 2014 Sherwin-Williams was denied a new trial. In February of 2018, the California Supreme Court denied the request for a review.

In July 2023, the company was surprised to find that a TikTok user gained 10 million views after painting their apartment in Pewter Green.

Today, Sherwin-Williams is a Fortune 500 company. They manufacture, distribute, and sell paint, coatings and accessory products. In 2017, the company had annual revenue of 10.185 billion and employed more than 52,000 persons. Headquarters remain in Cleveland, Ohio.

Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams was founded in 1866 in Cleveland, Ohio by Henry Sherwin and Edwards Williams. They initially sold pigments and painting supplies.

In 1877, the company developed the first re-sealable paint can.

History

In 1884, Percy Neyman was hired as a paint chemist, a first in the industry.

The company acquired several competitors in the early 1900s, including the Martin-Senour Company.

In 1920, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: SHW.

The company had financial issues in the 1970s but bounced back in the 80s and acquired rivals Dutch Boy and Dupli-Color.

In March of 2016, it was announced that Valspar would be acquired for $11.3 billion. The merger was finalized June 1st, 2017.

In July 2023, the company was surprised to find that a TikTok user gained 10 million views after painting their apartment in Pewter Green.

Bed Bath and Beyond Corporate Office

Bed Bath and Beyond, sometimes also called B3, was founded in 1971 by Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein as Bed ‘n Bath Inc.

By 1985, the chain has 17 stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and California.

In 1987, the company built its first superstore to compete with companies such as Linens ‘N Things. It was at this time that the name was changed to Bed Bath & Beyond.

In 1992, the company goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: BBBY

By 2000, there were 311 stores in 43 US states.

In 2007, the company acquired BuyBuy Baby and in 2012, Cost Plus World Market was acquired.

In June of 2016, the company acquired One Kings Lane for an undisclosed amount.

As of March 3, 2018, the company had a total of 1,552 stores, including 1,017 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

While the company had originally planned to shutter more than 20 stores in 2020, after the coronavirus pandemic, plans changed and the company announced that it would close approximately 200 stores.

In January 2021, Kohl’s and Bed Bath & Beyond stated that they would stop selling My Pillow due to comments made by CEO Mike Lindell in support of Trump, as well as misinformation about Trump winning the presidential election.

Bed Bath and Beyond filed for bankruptcy protection and was purchased by Overstock.com. Currently, the company is an online retailer only.

In 2018, the company reported annual revenue of $12 billion. Company headquarters are located in Union, New Jersey.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath and Beyond, sometimes also called B3, was founded in 1971 by Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein as Bed ‘n Bath Inc.

By 1985, the chain has 17 stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and California.

History

In 1987, the company built its first superstore to compete with companies such as Linens ‘N Things. It was at this time that the name was changed to Bed Bath & Beyond.

In 1992, the company goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: BBBY

By 2000, there were 311 stores in 43 US states.

In 2007, the company acquired BuyBuy Baby and in 2012, Cost Plus World Market was acquired.

In June of 2016, the company acquired One Kings Lane for an undisclosed amount.

As of March 3, 2018, the company had a total of 1,552 stores, including 1,017 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

While the company had originally planned to shutter more than 20 stores in 2020, after the coronavirus pandemic, plans changed and the company announced that it would close approximately 200 stores.

Bed Bath and Beyond filed for bankruptcy protection and was purchased by Overstock.com. Currently, the company is an online retailer only.

In 2018, the company reported annual revenue of $12 billion. Company headquarters are located in Union, New Jersey.

Polycom Corporate Office

Polycom was founded in 1990 by PictureTel employees Brian Hinman and Jeffrey Rodman.

In 1992, the company shipped their first Soundstation conference phone.

Polycom grew quickly through innovation and acquistions including ViaVideo, PictureTel, MeetU, ViVu and many more.

In 1998, Polycom entered the video conferencing market with the release of their ViewStation product.

In 2001, the company released their first Voice Over IP (VOIP) phone, the Soundstation IP 4000.

In 2004, the Soundstation 2 was released.

In 2006, the company introduced their first high definition video conferencing product.

By 2011, the company had shipped over 4 million conference phones.

Today, Polycom manufactures and sells voice and video communication products including phones and cameras.

Polycom

Polycom was founded in 1990 by PictureTel employees Brian Hinman and Jeffrey Rodman.

In 1992, the company shipped their first Soundstation conference phone.

Polycom grew quickly through innovation and acquistions including ViaVideo, PictureTel, MeetU, ViVu and many more.

History

In 1998, Polycom entered the video conferencing market with the release of their ViewStation product.

In 2001, the company released their first Voice Over IP (VOIP) phone, the Soundstation IP 4000.

In 2004, the Soundstation 2 was released.

In 2006, the company introduced their first high definition video conferencing product.

By 2011, the company had shipped over 4 million conference phones.

Today, Polycom manufactures and sells voice and video communication products including phones and cameras.

Barnes and Noble Corporate Office

Barnes and Noble traces its beginning back to 1886 when the Arthur Hinds & Company bookstore was opened in the Cooper Union building in New York City. Shortly after opening, Gilbert Clifford Noble was hired as a clerk.

In 1894, Noble was made a partner and the name Hinds & Noble was adopted. In 1917, Noble bought out Hinds and partnered with William Barnes to form Barnes & Noble.

In 1930, Noble sold his shares in the company to John Barnes. Noble died in 1936.

In 1969, John Barnes died and the company was sold to Amtel.

In 1971, the company was purchased by current Chairman Leonard Riggio III.

Today, Barnes and Noble operates 689 stores in all 50 states. In addition, they own 667 college bookstores. The company is the largest retail bookseller in the US.

In 2012, the company had annual revenue of $7 billion but has fallen on hard times, with revenue in 2017 only $3.7 billion. Rumors have swirled that the company might be looking at bankruptcy, however, in October 2018, current chairman Leonardo Riggio stated that he might purchase the publicly traded company.

Company headquarters are located in New York, New York and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BKN

Barnes and Noble

In 1894, Noble was made a partner and the name Hinds & Noble was adopted. In 1917, Noble bought out Hinds and partnered with William Barnes to form Barnes & Noble.

History

In 1930, Noble sold his shares in the company to John Barnes. Noble died in 1936.

In 1969, John Barnes died and the company was sold to Amtel.

In 1971, the company was purchased by current Chairman Leonard Riggio III.

Today, Barnes and Noble operates 689 stores in all 50 states. In addition, they own 667 college bookstores. The company is the largest retail bookseller in the US.

Company headquarters are located in New York, New York and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BKN