Talbots

The Talbots, Inc.

Talbots logo

Type

Private

Industry Fashion

Founded 1947; 72 years ago

Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.

Founder Rudolf Talbot

Nancy Talbot

Headquarters Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.

Number of locations

517 (February 2012)[1]

Key people

Lizanne Kindler (CEO)

Products Clothing, shoes and accessories

Revenue US$ 1.331 billion

Owner Sycamore Partners

Number of employees

8,737

Website www.talbots.com

Talbots store in Hudson, Ohio

Talbots is an American specialty retailer and direct marketer of women's clothing, shoes and fashion accessories.

As of 2018, the company operated 495 Talbots stores in the United States: 425 core Talbots stores (412 U.S), 65 Talbots Factory Outlets (U.S.) and five Talbots Clearance stores (4 U.S.). The company's retail operation comprises approximately 80% of its overall business, with the other 20% conducted via catalog and internet.[clarification needed]

History

The first shop, located in Hingham, Massachusetts, was opened in 1947 by Rudolf and Nancy Talbot. In 1948, the Talbots launched a direct mail business by distributing 3,000 fliers to names obtained from The New Yorker magazine. In 1973, they sold the company, consisting of a growing catalog enterprise and five stores, to General Mills.

The chain was expanded along the U.S. east coast. When General Mills divested its Specialty Retail Division in 1988, Talbots was acquired by JUSCO Co. Ltd.

Talbots became a public company in 1993 and was traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TLB. The New York City-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners acquired Talbots in August 2012 for $391 million (including debt). Talbots also had stores for both men's and children's apparel.