Robert Hall Clothes

Robert Hall Clothes, Inc., popularly known as Robert Hall, was an American retailer that flourished circa 1938–1977. Based in Connecticut, its warehouse-like stores were mostly concentrated in the New York, Chicago and Los Angeles basins. According to a Time magazine story in 1949, the corporate name was an invention. The founder and head was garment merchant Jacob Schwab, who "plucked the name out of the air."[2] It started as a single store in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1937.[2]

Robert Hall Clothes
IndustryRetail
FateBankrupt
Founded1937 [1]
FounderJacob Schwab [2][3]
Defunct1977 [1]
ProductsClothing
ParentUnited Merchants and Manufacturers Inc.[1]

History

In 1937, the company opened as a single store in Waterbury, Connecticut. It gradually expanded to over 350 warehouse-like outlets, based in 36 states. All through the mid-1950s, the Robert Hall shop launched on 2725 5th St. Ave. in Huntington. The company already has retail facilities in Portsmouth, Ohio and Morgantown.[4]

In July 1977, after losing more than $100 million in three years, the company applied for bankruptcy proceedings. In summer 1977, all 367 Robert Hall stores were sold for $35 million. In 1982, Jacob Schwab died at the age of 90 in Manhattan. [5]

Sales

Robert Hall pioneered low-overhead, large-facility ("big-box") merchandising, and combined inexpensively made goods with extensive radio and television advertising. Many Americans who grew up in the 1950s and 60s recall the commercial jingles. ("When the values go up up up/And the prices go down down down/Robert Hall this season/Will show you the reason/Low overheads - Low overheads.")

The company also operated outlets of Robert Hall Village,[6] where Robert Hall clothing was sold alongside other merchandise in stores of approximately 120,000 ft² in what's considered one of the forerunners of the discount superstore concept. Non-clothing retail areas were leased to other companies.[7]

Bankruptcy

In July 1977, Robert Hall's parent company, United Merchants and Manufacturers, filed for bankruptcy citing losses in the Robert Hall chain. All 366 Robert Hall stores were closed and inventory was auctioned off.[8] The Robert Hall business was purchased from the UMM bankruptcy by Steven Watstein, who managed to do it with its own assets then liquidated it.[9]

References
  1. Michman, Ronald D.; Alan James Greco (1995). Retailing triumphs and blunders : victims of competition in the new age of marketing management. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 135–136. ISBN 0-89930-869-4. ()
  2. "Up in the Loft". TIME. April 25, 1949. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
  3. "Company Histories: United Merchants Manufacturers Inc.", fundinguniverse.com (adapted from entry in the International Directory of Company Histories, Vol. 13. St. James Press, 1996.)
  4. Castro, James (19 March 2018). "Lost Huntington: Robert Hall Clothes". Herald Dispatch. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  5. Marzlock, Ron (9 May 2019). "Robert Hall Clothes was a mainstay in Queens". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  6. ROBERT HALL VILLAGE Trademark of Robert Hall Clothes, Inc. - Justia Trademarks
  7. Jeff Spitalnik, former Robert Hall Villages management, comment on North Park Mall, Villa Park, Ill
  8. Barmash, Isadore (July 13, 1977). "United Merchants, Citing Losses, Files Voluntary Bankruptcy Action". The New York Times. pp. D1.
  9. Palm Beach: Wild Wild West Robert Hall purchased and liquidated by Steven Watstein
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