- Restoration Hardware
Infobox_Company
company_name = Restoration Hardware
company_
company_type =Privately held company
company_slogan =
foundation = In1979 inEureka, California
location =Corte Madera, California
key_people = Stephen Gordon,Founder
Gary Friedman,CEO
num_employees = 1,500 Full Time
industry = Home Furnishing Stores
products =Furniture Linens Paint Hardware
revenue = $660.80M (FY2006 net)
homepage = [http://www.restorationhardware.com/ www.restorationhardware.com]Restoration Hardware is an American furniture chain of home furnishings, bath fixtures and bathware, functional and decorative hardware and related merchandise. The company defines its wares as classic and authentic American. Restoration Hardware, Inc. sells its merchandise offering through its retail stores, catalog and online. As of June 17, 2008, The Company currently operates 100 retail stores and 10 outlet stores in 30 states, the District of Columbia and Canada.
History
The idea for the company came in 1979, while founder Stephen Gordon was restoring his Queen Anne style house in
Eureka, California . He had great difficulty finding authentic period hardware and recognized a need in the marketplace. The first Restoration Hardware store, based in Gordon's home, opened in1980 .Daniel Gross, [http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-op-gross4mar04,1,2440265,print.story Starbucks' 'venti' problem] , "Los Angeles Times", March 4, 2007.] The company had 47 stores when it went public in 1998; when it underwent a rapid expansion that doubled the number of stores in three years, the company began losing money and was forced to restructure and close some locations.Daniel Gross, [http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-op-gross4mar04,1,2440265,print.story Starbucks' 'venti' problem] , "Los Angeles Times", March 4, 2007.]Current
Since 2001,
Gary Friedman has been the company'sCEO andChairman . Friedman was the former President of Williams-Sonoma.The company's headquarters are located inCorte Madera, California .The company is not owned by any other home furnishing brands and is not affiliated in any way with others like
Pottery Barn or Ethan Allen. However, in mid-2006 they established a new brand, Brocade Home, that is currently offered only through the website and catalog.designs. They also carry their own line of paint with a selection of thirty-three colors, grouped into four shades each of yellow, green, blue, purple, brown, rose, three shades of white, and four shades of the company's signature Silver Sage. Silver Sage is painted throughout all 100+ stores nationwide.
Popularly known for their wide range of hardware knobs, pulls, hinges, and hooks, Restoration Hardware has expanded their selection to include bathware, textiles, furniture and gallery lighting to appeal to a larger demographic. Lines are designed to match or complement one another in color and style. The company also carries an eclectic variety of toys, gardening tools, gadgets, and seasonal holiday decor, which maintain an overall
1920s period theme.Today, Restoration Hardware is currently straying away from the tools, toys and gadgets market and has focused on furniture quality and customer service.Fact|date=February 2007 A newly expanded selection of living, bedroom, dining, office, bath, and outdoor furniture, bath textiles, and bed linens are the core of Restoration Hardware. Most Restoration Hardware furniture is made in the USA, bed linens are made in Italy, and bath textiles are made in Turkey.
In November 2007,
Sears Holdings Corporation announced the purchase of a 13.7% share of Restoration Hardware, prompting speculation that Sears Holdings may attempt a full takeover. [ [http://www.thestreet.com/s/sears-eyes-restoration-hardware/newsanalysis/retail/10390957.html TheStreet.com : Sears Eyes Restoration Hardware | Retail | RSTO SHLD ] ]In the slowing housing market, Restoration Hardware is slated to close 2 stores in 2008, and open one in Canada.
In June 2008, Restoration Hardware completed the transaction without Sears Holding, but instead with
Catterton Partners . As of June 18th, 2008, the company is no longer public on the stock market. [ [http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=79100&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1167136&highlight= Restoration Hardware Completes Sale to Catterton Partners] ]Also in June 2008, RH Baby & Child was officially launched via the website & catalog channels.
Competitors
*
Crate & Barrel
*Pottery Barn
*Ralph Lauren Home
*Williams-Sonoma Home
*Frette (For Linens)
*WaterWorks (For Bath Hardware)External links and references
* [http://www.restorationhardware.com Restoration Hardware Official Website]
* [http://www.brocadehome.com Brocade Home Official Website]
* [http://www.rhbabyandchild.com RH Baby & Child Official Website]
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