History

The original Burlington Coat Factory store in Burlington, New Jersey with previous logo.

The company was founded in 1924 as “Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation”, a wholesaler of ladies coats and outerwear. The modern company was formed in 1972 when Monroe Milstein purchased a warehouse in Burlington, New Jersey, and started selling coats and outerwear. The company started gradually adding apparel, including suits, shoes, and accessories, and presently has even branched out to include baby items and linens, all clothing at considerable discount to some of its competition. MJM Designer Shoes and Cohoes Fashions are separate stores in the Burlington Coat Factory family. In 2007, the company announced that three of the seven Cohoes stores will close, and two of the remaining Cohoes stores will be converted to Burlington Coat Factory. The fate of the other two Cohoes stores is unknown.

Burlington Coat Factory store in Hoboken, New Jersey with ’70s-’80s logo.

Business issues

Under investigation from animal welfare organization Humane Society of the United States, Burlington Coat Factory has been accused of labeling real fur products as “faux fur”. The company agreed to pull the false advertisements after an undercover investigation revealed “faux fur” as actually made from the pelts of animals killed in China. Burlington Coat Factory’s coats have also been found to contain dog pelts.

Burlington Coat Factory’s logo is often supplemented with the tag “Not Affiliated with Burlington Industries.” When Burlington Coat Factory settled a trademark dispute with fabric maker Burlington Industries in 1981, Burlington Coat Factory agreed to say in advertisings it does to this dayhat the two companies are not affiliated, even though Burlington Industries ceased operations in 2004.

By late 2009, the “not affiliated” disclaimer had disappeared from TV commercials.

Market

Competitors to Burlington Coat Factory include T.J. Maxx, Ross Stores, and Filene’s Basement. A key difference between Burlington Coat Factory and other off price stores is that Burlington Coat Factory features more of a traditional department store layout than its competitors.

In 2006, after changing ownership, the company for the first time began offering cash and credit card refunds. Prior to this policy change, the only refunds were in the form of store credit, regardless of whether the customer had a receipt.

Departments and services

A typical Burlington Coat Factory store includes menswear, sportswear, accessory, youth, and shoe departments. Most stores have two specialty departments. “Luxury Linens” sells linen and furniture items, as well as housewares and home decor items. The “Baby Depot” sells a variety of baby furniture and equipment and offers a baby registry service. Many stores also provide tailoring services.

References

^ “FOR RELEASE ON JANUARY 18, 2006”. Corporate.burlingtoncoatfactory.com. http://corporate.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/corpinfo/releases/Final_Closing_Press_Release.html. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 

^ [dead link]

^ “Fur-Raising Reality Dog And Cat Pelts Fetch A Profit”. Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 2001-01-02. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/65899976.html?dids=65899976:65899976&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Jan+02%2C+2001&author=Rose+Boccio+Special+to+the+Tribune&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=FUR-RAISING+REALITY+DOG+AND+CAT+PELTS+FETCH+A+PROFIT&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 

^ View all comments that have been posted about this article. (2008-02-05). “Md. Bill Seeks to End Mislabeling of Fur Coats”. Washingtonpost.com. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/04/AR2008020402979_pf.html. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 

^ “Secret Search Led to Discovery of Dog Fur in U.S. Clothing; Investigation: Humane Society estimates at least 2 million domesticated animals abroad are killed annually to make garments, toys and other products”. Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. 1998-12-18. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/37288213.html?dids=37288213:37288213&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+18%2C+1998&author=BRIAN+MOOAR&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Secret+Search+Led+to+Discovery+of+Dog+Fur+in+U.S.+Clothing%3B+Investigation%3A+Humane+Society+estimates+at+least+2+million+domesticated+animals+abroad+are+killed+annually+to+make+garments%2C+toys+and+other+products.&pqatl=google. Retrieved 2009-05-30. 

External links

Official Company Web Page

Baby Depot Web Page

v d e

Philadelphia-area Corporations (Including the Delaware Valley)

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Categories: Companies based in Burlington County, New Jersey | Off-price department stores of the United States | Companies established in 1924 | Private equity portfolio companies | Bain Capital companiesHidden categories: All articles with dead external links | Articles with dead external links from May 2009 | Articles needing additional references from September 2008 | All articles needing additional references