White House Black Market

Last updated
White House Black Market, Inc.
Company type Subsidiary
Industry Retail
Founded1985;39 years ago (1985)
Headquarters Fort Myers, Florida
Number of locations
451 boutiques, 67 outlet stores
Area served
 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands, Canada
Products Apparel and
accessories
$888M (fiscal 2014) [1]
Parent Chico's FAS (2003–present)
Website www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store
A White House Black Market store at an outdoor shopping center in Delaware A White House Black Market store at an outdoor shopping center in Delaware.jpg
A White House Black Market store at an outdoor shopping center in Delaware

White House Black Market is an American women's clothing retailer headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida. The multichannel brand, founded in 1985, specializes in upscale clothing.

Contents

White House Black Market owns and operates various clothing and accessories boutiques in the United States, where they sell their tops, dresses, skirts, pants, jackets, outerwear, shoes, jewelry, and accessories. Since 2003, White House Black Market has operated as a subsidiary of Chico's FAS. [2]

History

Store exterior, White House Black Market WHBM store exterior.jpg
Store exterior, White House Black Market

1980s and 1990s

The company began in 1985 when cofounders Patricia Smith and Richard Sarmiento opened the first store called The White House, in Baltimore, Maryland. The White House only carried women's clothing in shades of white. The boutique performed extremely well, catering to an upscale clientele of women. [3]

In 1991, with the help of National Retail Group, a North Carolina-based consulting firm, The White House began its national expansion. After a decade of selling exclusively white merchandise, the brand launched a new retail format – "Black Market"— in Annapolis,MD, in 1995. [4] A few experiments followed, where Smith and Sarmiento housed both White House and Black Market under the same roof as a store that only sold sale merchandise culled from both stores. Their endeavors were successful, and in 1997, the company began converting existing stores to this White House Black Market combination concept. [5]

2000s

In 2003, Chico's FAS, Inc. purchased White House Black Market after the privately held firm went public. [6] The purchase price for the specialty retailer was $90M, with $85.6M in cash and about $4.4M in Chico's common stock. [7]

In 2007, Donna M. Noce stepped into the role of White House Black Market brand President. Prior to taking her position at White House Black Market, Noce served as President of Ann Taylor LOFT and also spent time at Lerner New York Division of Limited, Inc. and Petrie Stores Corporation. [8]

White House Black Market gained coverage in 2008 when Michelle Obama wore the brand's Tank Leaf Print Dress as a cohost of TV talkfest The View . Virtually overnight, the dress (priced at $148) all but sold out at White House Black Market boutiques. [9] [10]

Collections

White House Black Market's collections include dresses, jackets, pants, shoes, swim, tees, accessories and "everyday essentials". [11] Key collections include:

Advertising and promotion

Store interior, White House Black Market WHBM store interior 1.jpg
Store interior, White House Black Market

In fiscal 2014, WHBM re-launched its rewards program as WHBM Rewards. The program includes tier-based discounts, promotions, free shipping and invitations to private sales based on customer's annual spend. [16]

White House Black Market's marketing program consists of the company's loyalty program (WHBM Rewards), direct marketing efforts (direct mail, email), national print and broadcast advertising, internet and direct phone sales, social media marketing, and public relations and community outreach programs. [17]

White House Black Market has worked with models Alyssa Miller, Linda Voitova, Michaela Kocianova, and Naty Chabenenko (Holiday 2012), Anne Vyalitsyna, (Spring/Summer 2013), Bette Franke, and Lakshmi Menon, (Holiday 2011) and Ali Stephens (Spring/Summer 2011) among others. [18] A 2012 television ad directed by Johan Renck featured supermodel Coco Rocha in over a dozen outfits from the company's WorkKit collection. [19]

Locations

White House Black Market, Fashion Show Mall WHBM storefront 1.jpg
White House Black Market, Fashion Show Mall

White House Black Market currently operates more than 440 boutiques and over 60 outlets across the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. [20]

The opening of a White House Black Market store in Toronto, Canada on October 24, 2014, was the first push toward international expansion for Chico's brands. [21] As of January 31, 2015 White House Black Market had five stores across Canada. [22] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic White House Black Market closed all of its Canadian locations and Chicos FAS Canada filed for bankruptcy. [23] They officially left the Canadian market in September 2020.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Tire</span> Canadian retail company

Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited is a Canadian retail company which operates in the automotive, hardware, sports, leisure and housewares sectors. Its Canadian operations include: Canadian Tire, Mark's, FGL Sports, PartSource, and the Canadian operations of Party City. Canadian Tire acquired the Norwegian clothing and textile company Helly Hansen from the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan in 2018.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer headquartered at SouthSide Works in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1977 by brothers Jerry and Mark Silverman as a subsidiary of Retail Ventures, Inc., a company that also owned and operated Silverman's Menswear. The Silvermans sold their ownership interests in 1991 to Jacob Price of Knoxville, Tennessee. American Eagle Outfitters is the parent company of Aerie, Unsubscribed and Todd Snyder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Torrid (clothing retailer)</span> American retail chain

Torrid Holdings Inc. is an American women's retail chain formerly owned by Hot Topic. While it is still owned by Sycamore Partners, owners of Hot Topic, in 2015, the company branched off to become Torrid, LLC. The store offers plus-size clothing and accessories for women size 10-30. Torrid began operations in April 2001. The first location opened in the Brea Mall in Brea, California. As of 2024, Torrid has over 650 stores in operation across all states in the United States and some regions of Canada. Torrid opened its first store in 2001, and an international store in Canada (Toronto) in August 2015. In July 2021, the company went public on the New York Stock Exchange, under the symbol CURV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aéropostale (company)</span> American clothing retailer

Aéropostale Inc., is an American shopping mall–based retailer of casual apparel and accessories, principally aimed at young adults and teenagers. Aéropostale maintains control over its proprietary brands by designing, sourcing, marketing, and selling all of its own merchandise. The company sells via Aéropostale stores in the United States and through its e-commerce site.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free People</span> American bohemian apparel and lifestyle retail company

Free People is an American bohemian apparel and lifestyle retail company that sells women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, intimates, and swimwear. It also has a beauty and wellness category, which includes products such as cosmetics, skin, and oral care, oral supplements, crystals, and books. Their headquarters is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Free People is a part of Urban Outfitters, Inc., along with Anthropologie, BHLDN, Terrain, and the Vetri family restaurant group.

<i>Boutique</i> Type of retail shop

A boutique is a retail shop that deals in high end fashionable clothing or accessories. The word is French for "shop", which derives ultimately from the Ancient Greek ἀποθήκη (apothēkē) "storehouse".

Bebe Stores, Inc. is a women's retail brand that was established in 1976. The brand develops and produces a line of women's apparel, accessories, and perfume fragrances, which it markets under the "bebe" or "Bebe Sport" or "Bebe Outlet" names.

The Izod Corporation is an American midrange clothing company that produces dressy-casual clothing, sportswear for men, and footwear and accessories. It is a division of Authentic Brands Group, and is currently marketed and manufactured by Centric Brands under a long-term licensing agreement. Other Izod classics include the Harrington jacket G-9 model and V-neck and cardigan sweaters. Today, the closest competitor of the Izod brand is the Chaps brand owned by Ralph Lauren Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lululemon Athletica</span> Multinational athletic apparel retailer

Lululemon athletica inc., commonly known as lululemon, is a Canadian multinational athletic apparel retailer headquartered in British Columbia and incorporated in Delaware, United States. It was founded in 1998 as a retailer of yoga pants and other yoga wear, and has expanded to also sell athletic wear, lifestyle apparel, accessories, and personal care products. The company has 711 stores and sells online.

Le Château Inc. is a fashion company, currently owned by Suzy's Inc. The chain was founded in 1959 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and designed, imported, and retailed women's and men's apparel, accessories, and footwear. In 2015, the company generated sales of about CA$237 million. The company operates in 57 Suzy Shier stores, before bankruptcy, they sold directly to customers from 123 retail stores in Canada and 5 in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Inc.</span> American clothing company

Ann Inc. is an American group of specialty apparel retail chain stores for women. The company headquartered in New York City and currently operates as a subsidiary of Ascena Retail Group. The stores offer classic-styled suits, separates, dresses, shoes and accessories. The brand is marketed under five divisions: Ann Taylor, Loft, Lou & Grey, Ann Taylor Factory, and Loft Outlet.

Justice is a clothing brand sold exclusively through Walmart targeting the tween girl market. In 2020, it became a brand owned by the private equity firm Bluestar Alliance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Klein (fashion house)</span> American fashion retailer chain

Calvin Klein Inc. is an American luxury fashion designer retail chain marketing its eponymously branded products worldwide. The company, which became famous for its designer underwear and denim lines in the 1980s, specializes in mass-market ready-to-wear clothing for all genders and age groups as well as leather products, lifestyle accessories and shoes, home furnishings, perfume/cosmetics, eyewear, jewelry and watches in the mid-price segment. Its high-end runway fashion division, which represented the top level of the various Calvin Klein sub-brands, was discontinued in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chico's FAS</span> American retail company

Chico's FAS, Inc. is an American women's clothing and accessories retailer founded in 1983 on Sanibel Island, Florida. Founded by Marvin and Helene Gralnick, it is headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida and operates four brands: its namesake Chico's store, White House Black Market, Soma and TellTale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starter (clothing line)</span> American clothing manufacturer

Starter, Inc. is an American clothing manufacturer, focusing on major league sports teams. Starter's current licenses include MLB, NBA, NFL, and NHL teams. Non-sports agreements include a partnership with Coca-Cola.

Ralph & Russo British fashion house

Ralph & Russo is a European, privately held company owned and founded by Tamara Ralph and Michael Russo. Ralph & Russo is a high fashion house that specializes in haute couture and ready-to-wear clothes, luxury goods, and fashion accessories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ralph Lauren Corporation</span> American fashion company

Ralph Lauren Corporation, the legal name of the Ralph Lauren brand, is an American publicly traded fashion company that was founded in 1967 by American fashion designer Ralph Lauren. Headquartered in New York City, the company produces products ranging from the mid-range to the luxury segments. Ralph Lauren is known for marketing and distributing products in four categories: apparel, home, accessories, and fragrances. Known mostly for its flagship brand Polo Ralph Lauren, the company's brands include mid-range, sub-premium, and premium labels up to its highest priced luxury Ralph Lauren Purple Label apparel.

Rufskin is an American men's athletic, underwear, swimwear, sportswear and denim manufacturer headquartered in San Diego, California. Founded in 2002, the company is owned and operated by designer Hubert Pouches and president Douglas Coats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Opening Ceremony (brand)</span> American clothing brand

Opening Ceremony is a fashion brand founded in 2002 by Carol Lim and Humberto Leon. The brand designs and creates its own products and also retails other emerging fashion labels. During the COVID-19 pandemic the company announced it would close all its physical stores. Opening Ceremony was one of the first retail shops to carry Havaianas and Topshop products, and has carried Alexander Wang, Comme Des Garcons, Proenza Schouler and Rodarte.

References

  1. ↑ "Chico's FAS Inc Annual Report" (PDF). Edgar Online. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  2. ↑ "The White House Inc. History". Funding Universe. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ "The White House Inc. History". Funding Universe. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ "The White House Inc. History". Funding Universe. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ "White House Black Market About Us". White House Black Market. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  6. ↑ "No Shades of Gray at Chico's FAS". Investor's Business Daily. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Chico's signs $90M Deal to Buy the White House Inc". Direct Marketing News. Retrieved April 20, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Donna Noce on the Power of Personalized Customer Relationships". Wharton University of Pennsylvania. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Michelle Obama Makes $148 Frock a Fashion Smash". Today. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Shop for Michelle Obama's Style". About Style. Archived from the original on April 4, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Our Brands White House Black Market". Chico's FAS Inc. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  12. ↑ "White House Black Market Store". White House Black Market. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ "White House Black Market Store". White House Black Market. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ "4 Ways to Wear the Genius Dress". White House Black Market. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  15. ↑ "White House Black Market Introduces Wedding and Event Boutique". News OK. Retrieved April 19, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Chico's FAS Inc Annual Report" (PDF). Edgar Online. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Chico's FAS Inc Advertising and Promotion". Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  18. ↑ "White House Black Market Models". Models. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  19. ↑ "White House Black Market Spring 2012 Work Kit Commercial Starring Coco Rocha". Huffington Post. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Our Brands White House Black Market". Chico's FAS Inc. Retrieved April 12, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Chico's White House Black Market Enters Canadian Market". Retail Solutions Online. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Chico's FAS Inc Annual Report" (PDF). Edgar Online. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  23. ↑ "BRIEF: Chico's/White House Black Market Exiting Canada, Polstar Announces First 3 Stores". Retail Insider. 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2021-03-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.