J.Crew
Company type | Public (NYSE: JCG) |
---|---|
Industry | Retail |
Founded | In 1983 as a mail-order catalog |
Headquarters | Corporate: New York, New York Distribution: Lynchburg, Virginia, Asheville, North Carolina |
Key people | Jeff Pfeifle, Millard Drexler, Tracy Gardner, Jim Scully |
Products | Apparel Shoes |
Revenue | $953 million |
Number of employees | 6800 |
Website | www.jcrew.com |
J.Crew is a fully integrated, multi-channel retailer specializing in men's, women's and children's apparel and accessories. J.Crew was founded in 1983 with the launch of its catalog and expanded into brick and mortar retailing in 1989 with its first store at the South Street Seaport in New York City.
It has since become an American brand known worldwide for its collections of classic styles with a quirky, J.Crew twist.[citation needed]. In addition to its men's and women's clothing, accessories, and shoes, the company has a Wedding & Special Occasions shop through its website, and a high end J.Crew Collection available in select stores. In 2006, J.Crew launched a children's line, CrewCuts. The company sells clothing with a "preppy" look similar to retailers Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren[citation needed].
Currently J.Crew's catalog has a circulation of over 80 million, and J.Crew has 175 retail stores and 52 outlet stores[1]. Their website was launched in 1996 and allows buyers to browse both J.Crew's online only offerings, and normal catalog and retail offerings. There are two J.Crew distribution centers in the U.S., one in Lynchburg, VA (this facility also doubles as a call center for the whole U.S.), and the other in Asheville, NC. There are J.Crew stores in Japan, and J.Crew's website offers shipping to Canada and Japan.
News
In May 2006, J.Crew CEO Millard Drexler, announced plans to launch a chain of casual stores in August under the name Madewell. The name comes from a former workwear company based in New Bedford, Mass. Madewell will be a separate company from J.Crew.
Initial Public Offering
J.Crew, a large stake of which was owned by private equity giant Texas Pacific Group, had its stock market debut (IPO) on June 28, 2006. J. Crew's share price opened over 25% above its IPO offer price on its first day of trading.
The company is listed on the NYSE under the stock ticker JCG. CEO Millard Drexler, a veteran of Gap Inc., will control 15% of the company following the IPO.