Bob's Discount Furniture is an American furniture store headquartered in Manchester, Connecticut. Bob's Discount Furniture was founded in 1991 with its first store in Newington, Connecticut and is ranked 12th in sales among United States furniture stores according to Furniture Today's list of Top 100 Furniture Stores. As of February 2020, the company has 126 stores in 20 states, primarily in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and West Coast.
History
In 1976, future company co-founder Bob Kaufman was injured in a motorcycle accident. He discovered the benefits of a waterbed for recuperation. The experience inspired Kaufman to become involved with waterbed sales, and during the 1980s, he rented space in 24 New England stores for selling waterbeds. By 1990, waterbed sales had dwindled, and Kaufman partnered with Gene Rosenberg, owner of Wholesale Furniture, where Kaufman had rented space for waterbed sales. Rosenberg acquired a building in Newington, Connecticut that was previously owned by a furniture company that had become bankrupt. In 1991, the Newington, Connecticut location became the first Bob's Discount Furniture store. The company was initially co-owned by Rosenberg and Kaufman. As time progressed, the company expanded to additional locations, often acquiring buildings that had been vacated by tenants bankrupted during the recession. By 1997, the company operated a dozen stores in Connecticut and two in western Massachusetts. The company's ability to grow during its early years in spite of unfavorable economic conditions has been partially attributed to the extensive use of commercials. In early 2005, the investment firmSaunders Karp & Megrue acquired 70 percent ownership of Bob's Discount Furniture. Subsequently, Saunders Karp & Megrue was acquired by Apax Partners Worldwide in March 2005. In November 2006, Ted English, former president and CEO of TJX Companies, became the CEO of Bob's Discount Furniture, replacing Stan Adelstein, who became chairman. Adelstein retired in April 2013, with English taking over as chairman. In late 2006, Bob's Discount Furniture expanded into Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New York. English led Bob's into its expansion further south into Maryland and Virginia. In Q1 of 2014, Bob's Discount Furniture was acquired by Bain Capital, with the current management team continuing to own a significant stake in the company as a part of that deal. In 2016, Michael Skirvin was promoted from president and COO to president and CEO, replacing English, who remained with Bob’s Discount Furniture as executive chairman.
Advertising
Bob's Discount Furniture is a prolific advertiser on both television and radio. As of 1997, the company broadcast roughly 500 commercials a week in Connecticut on network and cable television stations. By 2006, the commercials had become common during broadcasts of Boston Red Sox and New York Mets games. The commercials usually feature company president Bob Kaufman, typically wearing jeans and a golf shirt or turtleneck, and have also included Bob's Discount Furniture employees such as Cathy Poulin, the company's Director of Public Relations. “Little Bob,” a miniature version of Bob Kaufman, frequently appears in the company’s commercials. The advertisements are frequently described as prolific, wacky and goofy often containing catch phrases describing their “untouchable value.” Through corporate sponsorship programs, Bob’s Discount Furniture has worked with several professional sports teams, including the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers, and Los Angeles Galaxy.
Stores and products
Bob’s Discount Furniture has stores located in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan and Wisconsin. The Midwest expansion came in the wake of H.H. Gregg's sudden liquidation, allowing Bob's to purchase the leases for those former buildings. The company expanded to the West Coast in February 2018. Bob’s Discount Furniture locations include an in-store cafe with complimentary refreshments. Some stores also have a back room with products that are considered imperfect; this area is called “The Outlet.”
Community involvement
Bob's Discount Furniture donates over $2.75 million per year to charitable causes through two initiatives, the Bob’s Discount Furniture Charitable Foundation and Bob’s Outreach program. Through these efforts, the company has supported March of Dimes, Autism Speaks, Special Olympics, Save the Children, and Camp Rising Sun. The company has been recognized by the American Red Cross for its blood drives and financial contributions to the organization. Bob's Discount Furniture has sponsored blood drives in partnership with professional American football teams including the New England Patriots and the New York Giants. Through the company’s Random Acts of Kindness program, funds are donated to local schools and programs for children following the opening of a new store. Bob’s Discount Furniture operated a charity fundraising event for over 30 years. The event raised funds for a number of non-profit charities, including Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Family & Children’s Aid, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and Camp Rising Sun. The company collects and matches in-store donations from its customers through their Café Collections for a Cause program. The program has supported non-profit charities including Autism Speaks, Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, and Special Olympics. In response to the damage caused by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012, Bob's Discount Furniture and its employees provided relief assistance. The company provided food, clothing and relief supplies as well as the trucks to deliver the items.
