Herman's World of Sporting Goods

Infobox_Company
company_name = Herman's World of Sporting Goods
company_
company_type = Defunct
slogan = We are sports
foundation = 1916|
location = Carteret, New Jersey
industry = Retail
products = Sporting Goods
homepage = [http://www.hermansalumni.com www.hermansalumni.com] |

Herman's World Of Sporting Goods was once the largest sporting goods retailer in the United States. It was founded by Herman Steinlauf in 1916 as a music store.Janofsky, Michael. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE7DE1438F933A25751C0A965958260 "COMPANY NEWS; New Owners For Herman's Sports Chain"] , "The New York Times", February 10, 1993. Accessed November 16, 2007. "Founded in 1916 by Herman and Eddie Steinlauf as a music store in lower Manhattan. The first store was at 110 Nassau Street, in Lower Manhattan. Later, the chain expanded to West 42nd Street, West 34th Street, then to Paramus, New Jersey. The chain kept growing as time went on, in the New York area, and later other areas. Herman's later became a sporting goods outlet and was sold as a four-store group in 1970 to W. R. Grace & Company. Eddie Steinlauf's son Leonard expanded into a forth store in Paramus, NJ, creating the first sporting goods superstore. This drew the attention of conglomerate W.R. Grace, who made a play for the company. Leonard Steinlauf fought the sale, siting his vision of creating a national chain of sporting goods superstores. He believed that Herman's should stay a family company. Herman Steinlauf and Leonard Steinlauf's sister pressured Leonard into selling his 25% of the company, a decision he would forever regret. Leonard Steinlauf became Herman's CEO, but lasted less than ten years under a strained relationship with W.R. Grace.

Fully expanded by 1986, the chain was sold to the Dee Corporation in Britain; Dee later changed its name to Gateway."] At one time, there was a gentleman's agreement with west coast competitor Oshman's Sporting Goods, that the Herman's chain would stay east of the Mississippi, while Oshman's would be dominant on the west coast. Later on, Herman's did expand west, although this was short lived. The company entered bankruptcy in 1993, first closing the stores out of the New York area, then the New York stores. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE3DF1331F935A25750C0A965958260 " COMPANY NEWS; Bankruptcy Protection Is Sought for Herman's"] , "The New York Times", March 16, 1993. Accessed November 16, 2007.] Herman's could not compete with the warehouse size stores of Dick's Sporting Goods and Sports Authority, as most locations were in malls or strip malls.

Herman's main executive offices and warehouse were co-located in Carteret, New Jersey, at 2 Germak Drive. This building still remains vacant.

The company was purchased by W. R. Grace and Company in 1970, as part of Grace's retail division, which sold it to the Dee Corporation, of England, in 1986. Later, it was sold to a Dutch firm.

Some of the slogans the company used included "Herman's.. We Are Sports."

Herman's was one of Manhattan's--and later most of the U.S.-- most visible retail stores.Their yellowy-orange bags with sun and snowflakes became an icon. At any time you would see New Yorkers carrying the playful, vibrant bag. Herman's was also know for their customer service, with real experts in every department--a far cry from today's stores, where you are left to your own devices. While Herman's was a large sporting goods retailer, about half of the floor space of any store was soft goods, including ski jackets, and other apparel. Herman's had their own label, made by other vendors.

Herman's sponsored on several occasions a Free Ski Day in New York's Central Park, providing cross country skis and poles for free, where people could ski on the great lawn or go downhill on an artificial hill. [Leimbach, Dulcie. [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7D7143BF934A35751C0A964958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 "For Children"] , "The New York Times", February 7, 1992. Accessed November 16, 2007.]

Alumni Website: Website for former employees [http://www.hermansalumni.com www.hermansalumni.com]

References