Retail Business Analysis

Burlington Coat Factory

Corporate History and Summary

Originally founded in 1972 by Monroe and Henrietta Milstein with only one coat/outerwear factory and store, Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation has grown into an extremely successful discount retail outlet chain. Although it began as a family-owned and -operated business, the company went public for a time, with the Milsteins retaining a majority of share holdings (BCF, 2011). Eventually, the company was purchased in 2006 by Bain Capital Partners, LLC, and was made a private holding. Currently, Burlington Coat has more than 460 stores in 44 states nationally, as well as satellite stores in Puerto Rico and joint ventures in Mexico; employs more than 28,000 workers; and generated $3.67 billion in sales as of the closing of the final fiscal quarter ending in January 29, 2010 (BCF, 2011).

Burlington Coat is known in the retail industry as a major player,...
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