- P. C. Richard & Son
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P.C. Richard & Son, Inc. 
Type Private Industry Retailing Founded September 26, 1909 Headquarters Farmingdale, New York, United States Number of locations 66 (November 2011) Key people Gregg Richard, President
A.J. Richard, Founder
Gary Richard, CEO and ChairmanRevenue 
US $1.150 Billion (2006)Net income US $? (2006)Employees 2,500 Website www.pcrichard.com P.C. Richard & Son, also known as simply P.C. Richard, is the largest chain of private, family-owned electronics and appliances stores in the United States.[1] Its stores are located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, with the majority of the stores located on Long Island and in the New York City boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn. The company is also known for its trademark whistle jingle created by Soundsmith worker Leer Leary.
Contents
History
The first P.C. Richard opened on September 26, 1909 in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. This particular store sold hardware and was run by Peter Christiään Richard, an immigrant from Holland. The first electric appliance the store sold was an electric iron. His son, Alfred J. Richard, would spend all of his time helping his father, as he quit school at the age of fourteen for the sake of the store, which at that point was located in Queens. Within time, A.J. would become the head of the store, and would prove to be highly successful in persuading people to buy appliances. As the years progressed, his sons would aid him with the business, as they expanded to other locations. To this day, the chain is still run by the Richard family, as A.J. himself would serve as chairman well into his 90's.
Growth and expansion
PC Richard & Son opened 5 stores in former Circuit City locations, including this store in Norwalk, CT
In 2009, P.C. Richard and Son announced that it would acquire the leases of 5 empty Circuit City stores in New Jersey (3), New York (1) and Connecticut (1). The announcement marked an expansion of the company's footprint, with its first stores in Connecticut and the New Jersey shore communities. P.C. Richard & Son cited its financial stability and ability to negotiate favorable lease rates as reasons the company chose to expand.
In 2010, P.C. Richard and Son opened stores in Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Milford, North Haven, and Danbury in Connecticut. Three more stores in Connecticut, located in Manchester, Newington, and Enfield have also opened.[2]
References
- ^ Beating the Odds: How PC Richard & Son, the largest privately held appliance and electronics retailer in the country, continues to thrive through 100 years and four generations, Price Waterhouse Coopers article from gyb Vol. 61
- ^ P.C. Richard & Son New Stores, P.C. Richard & Son Website as of August 23, 2010
External links
Categories:- Companies established in 1909
- Family businesses
- Consumer electronics retailers
- Companies based in Nassau County, New York
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