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B&H Photo

Coordinates: 40°45′11″N 73°59′47″W / 40.753124°N 73.996281°W / 40.753124; -73.996281
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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article B&H Photo, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 202523 sources


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B&H Photo & Electronics Corp.
Company typePrivate
IndustryRetail
Founded1973; 53 years ago (1973)
Manhattan, New York, U.S.
FoundersBlimie Schreiber
Herman Schreiber
HeadquartersManhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
40°45′11″N 73°59′47″W / 40.753124°N 73.996281°W / 40.753124; -73.996281
Number of locations
1
ProductsCameras, video equipment, film, audio devices, computers, electronics
Website{{URL|example.com|optional display text}}

B&H Photo Video—also referred to as B&H Photo, B&H, or B&H Foto & Electronics Corporation—is a U.S.-based retailer specializing in photographic and video gear. Established in 1973 and headquartered in Manhattan, New York City,[1] B&H primarily operates through e-commerce platforms serving both individual consumers and business clients, maintaining a single physical retail outlet. Originally focused on photographic film and related products, the company has since evolved into one of the largest electronics retailers in the United States, offering an inventory exceeding 400,000 items.[2]

Their distribution center is situated in Florence, New Jersey.[1]

History

B&H began operations in 1973 as a film shop located at 17 Warren Street in Tribeca. The name derives from the initials of its founders, Blimie Schreiber and her husband Herman. During the late 1970s, the business relocated to 119 West 17th Street—positioned between Sixth and Seventh Avenues within Manhattan’s Photo District—and broadened its product range to encompass a variety of photographic supplies. By the 1990s, B&H expanded its merchandise portfolio to include diverse electronics such as computers, lighting equipment, and audio devices.[3] The company settled into its current premises in 1997.

Herman Schreiber, the company’s proprietor, along with numerous staff members, observe Satmar Hasidic Jewish traditions.[4] The sole physical store is located at 420 Ninth Avenue at West 34th Street in Manhattan. It remains closed during Shabbat, most Jewish holidays, and Christmas. Although the website remains accessible throughout Shabbat and Jewish holidays according to New York local time, order processing and checkout functions are suspended from Friday sundown through Saturday evening.[5][6]

In 2007, B&H expanded by adding a second floor above its original retail area, increasing total sales space to approximately 70,000 sq ft (6,500 m2). That year also saw the relocation of corporate offices to 440 Ninth Avenue.

To support its growth trajectory, B&H enlarged its office footprint to accommodate departments such as sales, customer support, purchasing, marketing, and administrative operations within a combined space totaling roughly 150,000 square feet.[7] The retail location features an extensive conveyor belt system installed along the ceiling for efficient product movement.[8][9]

In March 2015, B&H incorporated an Apple-authorized mini-store within its computer department offering a selection of Apple devices alongside on-site Apple staff for assistance.[10] The following year Vaio formalized a distribution agreement with B&H to retail their products.[11][12] Additionally in that year, the warehouse operations were transferred to Florence in Burlington County, New Jersey.[13]

In 2019, B&H introduced the Payboo credit card—exclusively for use at their stores—issued initially by Synchrony Bank,[14] which was later relaunched in 2022 with Comenity Capital Bank as the issuing institution.[15]

A lawsuit initiated by the New York State Attorney General alleging that B&H deliberately evaded millions of dollars in state sales taxes was dismissed by the New York Supreme Court in September of 2021.[16][17]

To commemorate its fiftieth anniversary in 2023, B&H offered limited-edition custom LEGO models replicating their flagship Manhattan store.[18]

Bild Expo

Template:Infobox Convention B&H Photo Video marked its 50th year in 2023 by launching the inaugural Bild Expo (derived from the Yiddish term for "image"), which took place on September 6–7 at New York City's Javits Center.[19]

The event was structured around four primary stages:

  1. The Bild Main Stage, showcasing presentations from photographers, directors, and creatives;
  2. The OPTIC stage, dedicated to outdoor and travel photography topics;
  3. The Depth of Field Stage, focused on portrait, wedding, and event photography education; and
  4. The Creative Production stage, covering filmmaking, videography, and editing techniques.[20]
Presentation at the 2025 Bild Expo

Beyond the educational sessions, attendees explored a Gear Expo spanning over 100,000 square feet, featuring more than 130 brands specializing in creative technology. The expo also commemorated the centennial of 16mm filmmaking through a dedicated Kodak 16mm Film Workshop.[19]

Attendees at the 2025 Bild Expo

The second edition of Bild Expo took place on June 17–18, 2025, once again hosted by B&H Photo Video at the Javits Center in New York City. This iteration featured over 130 speakers alongside more than 250 exhibitors, drawing an estimated crowd of up to 50,000 participants during the two-day event.[21] Notable presenters included filmmaker Drex Lee, Sarina Soriano, and Chris Burkard.[22]

Distinct from conventional merchant-driven trade exhibitions, Bild Expo is not designed to generate profit. Jeff Gerstel, B&H Photo Video’s Chief Marketing Officer, stated:[23]

Template:Blockquote

The strong turnout and enthusiasm for Bild Expo are believed to stem partly from the recent decline of comparable camera and film expos in New York City, allowing Bild Expo to fulfill a market gap.[21] Additionally, about one-third of the sessions focused on content creation, attracting a younger demographic to complement B&H’s traditional photography audience.[21]

Philanthropy

In 2013, the B&H Wilderness Photo Competition presented two awards: one determined by a panel of professional judges and another decided by popular vote. The contest featured various categories, including terrestrial mammals, aquatic life, birds, and scenic landscapes.

By 2018, B&H had supported Bushwick Stories, a documentary filmmaking workshop designed for emerging storytellers and organized by the Bushwick Film Festival. For many years, B&H has been a key sponsor of NYC Salt, an initiative providing rigorous photography education to students in New York City high schools. Additionally, B&H contributes to programs and fellowship opportunities at BRIC, Brooklyn's largest free cultural programming organization. Collaborating with partners such as Intel, B&H has also donated technology equipment to classrooms within NYC public schools.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, B&H arranged "Days of Appreciation" events to honor healthcare professionals at Lenox Hill Hospital and other medical centers across New York City.

Controversies

In October 2007, B&H Photo consented to a $4.3 million settlement related to allegations of discrimination against Hispanic employees, while not admitting any fault.

Two years later, in November 2009, four women filed a lawsuit against B&H Photo accusing the company of violating human rights laws in New York City and State through discriminatory hiring practices. The plaintiffs sought class action status and demanded $19 million in compensatory and punitive damages aimed at deterring similar conduct in the future.

In 2011, B&H faced another lawsuit alleging discrimination against Hispanic workers. Subsequently, in August 2017, B&H agreed to pay $3.22 million to resolve claims brought by the United States Department of Labor’s Office of Contract Compliance. The lawsuit alleged that B&H hired predominantly Hispanic men for entry-level warehouse roles where they experienced harassment and unfavorable working conditions; however, the company did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

Awards & recognition

In 2015, B&H's Google Play application earned the title of "Best Mobile Shopping App" at the Mobile Shop Conference.

The following year, Consumer Reports ranked B&H Photo as the top electronics retailer, awarding it the No. 1 rating. By 2018, the publication recognized B&H as the premier online consumer electronics retailer.

Forbes Magazine included B&H in its list of America's Best Midsize Employers in May 2018, a distinction derived from independent employee feedback surveys. In 2020, Forbes further honored the company by featuring it on their “America’s Best Employers By State” compilation.

Also in 2018, the Baymard Institute acknowledged B&H's consumer website as having the best user experience among e-commerce platforms. The same institute ranked B&H #1 in mobile usability among the 50 highest-grossing U.S. e-commerce sites.

Newsweek recognized B&H as one of America's Top Companies for Customer Service in 2019, 2020, and again in 2024. Additionally, Newsweek designated B&H as a Best Online Shop consistently from 2020 through 2023.

B&H Photo has received two Webby Awards in the How-to, Explainer & DIY video category: for The Art of Street Photography with Hugh Brownstone in 2023, and for Ira Block's The Colours of Cuba in 2024.

See also

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References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named sales
  2. ↑ Zhang, Michael (December 31, 2018). "A Brief History of B&H, The Largest Non-Chain Camera Store in the US". PetaPixel. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  3. ↑ "The Wild Success Of B&H Photo - Professional Leadership Institute". August 5, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  4. ↑ "The Wild Success Of B&H Photo - Professional Leadership Institute". August 5, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  5. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named B_H_homepage
  6. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named B_H_schedule
  7. ↑ "Japanese group pays $210M for 9th Ave. property". Crain's New York Business. December 12, 2013. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Inside B&H conveyor system…". Swiss Miss. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  9. ↑ Lâm, Par (June 6, 2011). "BH Photo: Visite de la Mecque des boutiques photo" (in français). Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  10. ↑ "B&H Photo's Manhattan superstore opens prestigious Apple-authorized mini-store". AppleInsider. March 18, 2015. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Vaio Expands Distribution With Ingram Micro On Board". Twice. April 13, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  12. ↑ "CORRECTING and REPLACING VAIO Expands Distribution Channels to B&H Photo Video, DataVision and Ingram Micro". BusinessWire. April 13, 2016. Retrieved July 8, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Why New Jersey's warehouse sector is booming". WHYY. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
  14. ↑ https://files.consumerfinance.gov/a/assets/credit-card-agreements/pdf/QCCA3Q2023/SYNCHRONY_FINANCIAL/B&H_Payboo_Credit_Card_Account_Agreement_and_Pricing_Information.pdf-267596.pdf
  15. ↑ "B&H revamps Payboo Credit Card, now offers choice of sales tax refund or special financing". AppleInsider. January 20, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  16. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named theverge
  17. ↑ Marks, Jeffrey. "B&H Photo Prevails in NY Sales Tax Dispute (via Passle)". Passle. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  18. ↑ Altland, Rikka (January 25, 2024). "B&H has a custom LEGO set of its flagship NYC storefront that you can actually buy". 9to5toys.com.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 DIRAdmin (August 23, 2023). "B&H Presents Bild Expo 2023: Celebrating Photo, Video & Audio Creativity". Digital Imaging Reporter. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  20. ↑ VanTine, Michelle (August 19, 2023). "B&H's Bild Expo: Who Will Be There and What You Will Learn". Fstoppers. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Schneider, Jaron (June 23, 2025). "The Popularity of the 2025 Bild Expo Vastly Exceeded My Expectations". PetaPixel. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  22. ↑ Staff Writers (June 21, 2025). "Speaker Schedule Behind the Lens: Secrets of Viral Video Success". bildexpo. Archived from the original on June 21, 2025. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
  23. ↑ Silberstein, Nicole (June 17, 2025). "How B&H's Focus on Serving Customers Led to an Unlikely Endeavor — Hosting a Free Expo". Retail TouchPoints. Retrieved June 17, 2025.

External links

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