Burlington
Burlington is an American off-price retailer offering discounted clothing, footwear, home goods, and related merchandise through a nationwide store network.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Burlington is a U.S. off-price retail chain best known for selling branded and private-label apparel, footwear, home merchandise, accessories, baby products, and seasonal goods at prices generally below those of conventional department stores. The business developed from an outerwear operation established by the Milstein family. Monroe Gary Milstein and his father, Abe, had operated in wholesale and retail outerwear since 1946. In 1972, Monroe and his wife, Henrietta, acquired a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey. Henrietta contributed much of the down payment from savings earned while working as a librarian, and the store became the foundation of the Burlington Coat Factory business. The original proposition focused on coats and jackets, but the company gradually reduced its dependence on the highly seasonal outerwear category. It expanded into women's, men's, and children's clothing, shoes, accessories, linens, gifts, and baby merchandise. A second store opened in Copiague, Long Island, in 1975. The chain expanded during the following decade and went public in 1983 with 31 locations. Its historical operating names included Burlington Coat Factory, Cohoes Fashions, Baby Depot, and MJM Designer Shoes. Burlington's off-price model relies on obtaining branded merchandise and other products through opportunistic purchasing, including excess inventory, canceled orders, closeouts, and other forms of supply that allow merchandise to be sold below traditional department-store prices. The retailer's assortment is therefore designed to change frequently rather than to provide a fully predictable seasonal collection. This treasure-hunt format, combined with value pricing, has been central to its competitive positioning against larger off-price groups such as TJX Companies and Ross Stores. The company underwent a major ownership change in the 2000s. Bain Capital acquired the business in a transaction valued at approximately $2.06 billion in 2006, according to the cited historical account, and a holding company was created as the ultimate parent. Mark Nesci served as acting chief executive after the transaction. Tom Kingsbury became president and chief executive officer in 2008 and led the company through its return to the public markets. Burlington filed for an initial public offering in 2013 and began trading publicly that year. The company later entered the Fortune 500 for the first time in 2016. Burlington continued to reposition itself as a broader off-price retailer rather than a coat specialist. The company adopted the shorter Burlington name in its customer-facing identity and expanded its store base beyond its historical footprint. Michael O'Sullivan became chief executive officer in 2019 after a long career at Ross Stores, another major off-price retailer. More recently, Burlington has used opportunities created by retail bankruptcies to expand its real-estate portfolio. In 2023 it acquired leases for more than 40 former Bed Bath & Beyond locations in the United States, and in 2024 it acquired leases for 15 locations previously operated by Conn's after that retailer's bankruptcy and store closures. The chain also maintains a charitable and community-oriented profile. Its long-running initiatives have included checkout fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, coat donations through the Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive, and women's heart-health programs developed with WomenHeart. Burlington remains an active national U.S. retailer, with its corporate headquarters in Burlington Township, New Jersey, and a business model centered on value, changing assortments, and broad family-oriented merchandise categories.
History
Burlington originated in the Milstein family's outerwear business. Monroe Gary Milstein and his father, Abe, had been engaged in wholesale and retail coats since 1946. In 1972, Monroe and Henrietta Milstein bought a former factory outlet in Burlington, New Jersey. Henrietta reportedly used savings from her work as a librarian to provide much of the down payment. The first store concentrated on coats and jackets, but its economics were vulnerable to the seasonal nature of outerwear. The family therefore broadened the merchandise mix to include general apparel, shoes, accessories, linens, gifts, and baby goods. The expansion began early. A second location opened in Copiague on Long Island in 1975. The family business adopted the Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corporation name and continued adding stores. By 1983, it had 31 locations and became a public company. The chain's identity remained closely associated with coats, while its merchandise scope increasingly resembled a broad off-price department store. Historical banners and divisions included Burlington Coat Factory, Cohoes Fashions, Baby Depot, and MJM Designer Shoes. A significant ownership transition occurred in the 2000s. Bain Capital acquired the company in 2006 in a transaction reported at approximately $2.06 billion. Burlington Coat Factory Holdings Inc. was established as the ultimate parent, and Mark Nesci, previously an executive vice president and chief operating officer, became acting CEO. The Milstein family exited its central ownership role, although some family members remained involved for a limited period. Tom Kingsbury became president and CEO in 2008. During his tenure, Burlington continued moving from a coat-led identity toward a national off-price model with a broader assortment and a stronger emphasis on flexible buying. In 2012, the company received a New Jersey economic-development incentive associated with plans for a new headquarters in Florence, next to its existing headquarters. The arrangement helped retain the corporate base in New Jersey. Burlington filed its registration statement for an initial public offering in June 2013 and returned to public trading in October of that year. At the time, its store network included more than 500 locations across much of the United States and Puerto Rico, operating under several historical names. The company later joined the Fortune 500 in 2016. Kingsbury remained CEO through 2018. In September 2019, Michael O'Sullivan became CEO. His previous career at Ross Stores gave Burlington leadership experience from a direct competitor in the off-price sector. Under the broader Burlington identity, the retailer has continued to sell discounted apparel, footwear, accessories, home goods, baby products, and seasonal merchandise. Its stores are designed around changing assortments and opportunistic purchases rather than the fixed, highly curated inventory model typical of full-price specialty retail. The company has also expanded through real-estate opportunities created by retail failures. In June 2023, Burlington acquired leases for more than 40 stores vacated by Bed Bath & Beyond in the United States. In 2024, it acquired leases for 15 locations previously occupied by Conn's after that retailer's bankruptcy and closures. These transactions illustrate a store-growth strategy based partly on obtaining established retail sites at times when other chains are contracting. Burlington's public profile has included charitable campaigns and business controversies. Since 2002, it has supported the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night fundraising effort. In 2006, it launched Warm Coats and Warm Hearts with Good Morning America and Fashion Delivers to collect coats for people in need. It later worked with WomenHeart on women's cardiovascular-health education and an annual Red Dress promotion. Separately, the company faced criticism after an animal-welfare investigation alleged that some products labeled faux fur contained real fur; Burlington agreed to withdraw the disputed advertising. The company was also affected by the September 11, 2001 attacks when aircraft debris damaged its store near the World Trade Center. Burlington remains an active U.S. off-price retailer headquartered in Burlington Township, New Jersey.
- 2024
Acquires former Conn's leases
[1]Burlington acquires leases for 15 locations after Conn's bankruptcy and store closures.
- 2023
Acquires former Bed Bath & Beyond leases
[1]Burlington acquires leases for more than 40 locations vacated after Bed Bath & Beyond's U.S. closures.
- 2019
Michael O'Sullivan becomes CEO
[1]Michael O'Sullivan succeeds Tom Kingsbury as chief executive officer.
- 2016
Joins the Fortune 500
[1]Burlington appears on the Fortune 500 for the first time.
- 2013
Burlington files for an IPO
[1]The company submits its S-1 registration statement in preparation for a return to public markets.
- 2013
Burlington returns to the public markets
[1]Shares begin trading publicly in October.
- 2012
New Jersey headquarters incentive approved
[1]The state approves a GrowNJ incentive connected with construction of a new headquarters in Florence.
- 2008
Tom Kingsbury becomes CEO
[1]Tom Kingsbury becomes president and chief executive officer.
- 2006
Bain Capital acquires the company
[1]Bain Capital acquires Burlington in a transaction reported at approximately $2.06 billion.
- 2006
Warm Coats and Warm Hearts launches
[1]Burlington starts a coat-donation program with Good Morning America and Fashion Delivers.
Products and positioning
A national off-price retailer emphasizing value pricing, branded merchandise, broad family categories, and frequently changing assortments.
Apparel
Women's apparel
Burlington sells discounted women's clothing across everyday, seasonal, casual, and occasion-oriented categories. The assortment can include dresses, tops, sweaters, denim, activewear, sleepwear, and outerwear sourced through the retailer's off-price buying model. Availability changes frequently as the company purchases closeouts, excess inventory, and other opportunistic merchandise.
Apparel
Men's apparel
The men's assortment includes casual clothing, work and dress apparel, denim, basics, activewear, underwear, and seasonal outerwear. Burlington positions these products around value and brand discovery rather than a fixed permanent assortment, so specific labels, colors, and sizes vary by store and time.
Apparel
Children's apparel
Burlington offers clothing and accessories for children and infants, including everyday apparel, seasonal items, sleepwear, and outerwear. The category supports the retailer's family-oriented positioning and benefits from the same rotating inventory approach used throughout its stores.
Apparel · 1972
Coats and outerwear
Coats and jackets are the category from which Burlington developed its original identity. The modern business carries outerwear for women, men, and children, although it has broadened substantially beyond coats to reduce reliance on the seasonality of the original product line.
Footwear
Footwear
The retailer sells family footwear, including casual shoes, athletic styles, boots, sandals, dress shoes, and children's footwear. Historically, footwear was also represented through the MJM Designer Shoes banner. Product availability is shaped by off-price purchasing and therefore changes regularly.
Home
Home goods and textiles
Burlington's home assortment includes linens, bedding, bath textiles, décor, and related household merchandise. These categories helped the business become less dependent on outerwear and gave customers a broader destination for value-oriented household purchases.
Baby
Baby Depot
Baby Depot was a historical Burlington operating banner and merchandise division focused on baby clothing and related goods. It formed part of the company's expansion from coats into family and household categories.
Controversies
Faux-fur labeling controversy
An investigation by the Humane Society of the United States alleged that some Burlington products advertised as faux fur contained real animal fur, including fur associated with animals killed in China. Burlington agreed to remove the disputed advertising.
Marketing campaigns
- 2014Heart of Style Tour
United States
Burlington and WomenHeart operated a traveling bus program visiting store locations. Health professionals provided blood-pressure and body-mass-index checks alongside educational information about women's heart health.
Outcome. Community health education and screening initiative
- 2012WomenHeart partnership and Red Dress Event
United States
Burlington partnered with WomenHeart to promote education about women's heart disease. Its Red Dress promotion donated one dollar from each qualifying red-dress sale to the organization.
Outcome. Recurring health-awareness and fundraising program
- 2006Warm Coats and Warm Hearts Drive
United States
Burlington stores served as collection points for donated coats through a program developed with Good Morning America and Fashion Delivers. Local charitable organizations distributed the coats to people in need.
Outcome. More than 1.2 million coats reportedly collected and distributed since launch
- 2002Light the Night
United States
Burlington began collecting customer donations at checkout for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night campaign. The annual effort has been associated with more than $19 million in cumulative donations according to the cited account.
Outcome. Long-running charitable partnership
Brand decisions
2024
Acquire former Conn's leasesM&ABackground
Conn's bankruptcy and store closures made additional locations available in the retail-property market.
Action taken
Burlington acquired leases for 15 former Conn's locations.
Aftermath
The deal expanded Burlington's pipeline of potential store sites.
2023
Acquire former Bed Bath & Beyond leasesM&ABackground
Bed Bath & Beyond's U.S. bankruptcy and store closures created a large pool of vacant retail locations.
Action taken
Burlington purchased leases for more than 40 closed locations.
Aftermath
The transaction created a significant opportunity for additional store growth using existing retail sites.
2013
Return to public marketsStrategyBackground
After its period under Bain Capital ownership, Burlington prepared to fund and support its next phase as a national off-price retailer.
Action taken
The company filed an S-1 registration statement and completed an initial public offering in October.
Aftermath
Burlington resumed public trading and continued its national expansion.
2006
Accept Bain Capital acquisitionM&ABackground
The family-owned retailer pursued a major ownership transition after decades of expansion and public-company operation.
Action taken
Bain Capital acquired Burlington in a transaction reported at approximately $2.06 billion.
Aftermath
The company became privately held under a new holding-company structure before later returning to public markets.
Transaction value. $2.06 billion (2006 transaction)
1972
Broaden the business beyond seasonal outerwearStrategyBackground
The original store depended heavily on coats and jackets, a category with pronounced seasonal demand.
Action taken
Burlington added apparel, accessories, linens, gifts, baby merchandise, and shoes.
Aftermath
The company developed into a broader off-price department-store retailer and reduced its dependence on coats.
Recent events
Reported
Burlington to open relocated Hobart store[2]
Burlington was set to open its newly relocated big-box store in Hobart that week.
Reported
Burlington announces Spokane Valley store opening[3]
Burlington announced plans to open its first Spokane Valley store on October 16, 2020. The company said it would provide a specific opening date in the near future; the source also reports October 16 as the planned date.
Reported
Burlington and Ralph Lauren collaborate on isolation gowns[4]
Burlington supported Ralph Lauren in transitioning production to make isolation gowns for healthcare and other community workers in New York, New Jersey and North Carolina, supplying Maxima fabrics and technical expertise.
Reported
Burlington withdraws 2020 guidance[5]
Burlington withdrew its first-quarter and full-year 2020 guidance because of uncertainty about the coronavirus’s potential duration and impact on store operations.
Reported
Burlington temporarily closes about 100 U.S. stores[5]
Burlington temporarily closed about 100 stores across the United States amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Reported
Burlington expands No Fly Zone licensing to Canada with Mark’s[6]
Burlington announced that it expanded licensing of its No Fly Zone insect-repellent technology into Canada and named Mark’s as the first Canadian licensee and retailer to sell garments protected by the technology. The companies received government approval for the technology to be sold in Canada.
Reported
Burlington launches Kids Essentials Collection[7]
Burlington announced the launch of its Kids Essentials Collection, a fabric collection designed for children's active play and featuring Burlington performance fabrics.
Reported
Burlington closes Chapel Hills Mall store[8]
Burlington closed its store at Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springs in late January after it and the building owner failed to reach a new lease agreement.
Reported
Burlington launches Chicago coat-drive campaign with Common Ground Foundation[9]
Burlington Stores, Common, and the Common Ground Foundation launched Burlington’s holiday coat-drive campaign in Chicago. Customers donating a coat received 10% off their Burlington purchase through January 20, 2020.
Sources10 sources
- 1Burlington (department store)en.wikipedia.org
- 2Burlington将开设迁址后的Hobart门市nwitimes.com
- 3Burlington宣布将在斯波坎谷开设门店spokesman.com
- 4Burlington与Ralph Lauren合作生产隔离 gowntextileworld.com
- 5Burlington撤回2020年业绩指引finance.yahoo.com
- 6Burlington将No Fly Zone授权业务拓展至加拿大，Mark’s成为首家加拿大被授权方textileworld.com
- 7Burlington推出Kids Essentials系列textileworld.com
- 8Burlington关闭Chapel Hills Mall门店gazette.com
- 9Burlington 与 Common Ground Foundation 在芝加哥启动外套捐赠活动blackenterprise.com
- 10Burlington closes store at Chapel Hills Mall in Colorado Springsgazette.com
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