Ollie's Bargain Outlet
| File:Ollie's Bargain Outlet logo.svg Logo used since 2015 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (discount stores) |
| Founded | July 29, 1982 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Founder | Morton Bernstein, Mark Butler, Harry Coverman, Oliver "Ollie" Rosenberg |
| Headquarters | Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania , United States |
Area served | 31 U.S. states (as of 2025) |
Key people | John Swygert (President and CEO) |
| Products | Discounted merchandise including gifts, housewares, food products, flooring materials, books, toys, hardware, electronics, apparel, lawn and garden supplies, health and beauty goods, sporting equipment, pet products, automotive accessories, seasonal merchandise |
| Website | ollies |
Ollie's Bargain Outlet is a U.S.-based discount store chain established in 1982 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania by Morton Bernstein, Mark Butler, Harry Coverman, and Oliver "Ollie" Rosenberg, whose name the company bears. As of 2025, the retailer operates 558 outlets spanning 31 states. Its inventory encompasses a wide variety of discounted items such as gifts, housewares, food products, flooring materials, books, toys, hardware, electronics, apparel, lawn and garden supplies, health and beauty goods, sporting equipment, pet products, automotive accessories, and seasonal merchandise. Ollie's business model centers on acquiring bulk overstock and closeout products from other retailers and offering them at reduced prices. The brand's advertising frequently features cartoon depictions of Rosenberg alongside the tagline "good stuff cheap."
History
Ollie's Bargain Outlet was founded in 1982 by entrepreneur Mort Bernstein, who transitioned from a struggling lumber business after drawing inspiration from Boston’s Building 19 surplus stores. He collaborated with local businessmen Harry Coverman and Mark Butler to launch the venture and secured funding from Oliver "Ollie" Rosenberg, who ultimately lent his name to the enterprise. The inaugural store opened on July 29, 1982, occupying a former Lawrence Millwork site on Carlisle Pike (US 11) in Mechanicsburg. The initial product assortment emphasized surplus and overstock merchandise.
By 1987, Ollie's had grown to three locations, each generating approximately $1 million in annual revenue. Expansion persisted through the late 1980s and early 1990s with new outlets frequently established in repurposed big-box retail spaces such as former Channel Home Centers. During this period, Coverman held the position of president while Butler served as vice president. The company’s marketing strategy featured handwritten-style signage and humorous caricatures of Rosenberg to strengthen brand recognition. Oliver Rosenberg passed away in 1996 at age 75.
This foundational growth phase and focus on discounted overstock inventory laid the groundwork for Ollie's continued success within the competitive discount retail sector.
2000–onward: Continued growth
After Rosenberg’s passing, Ollie's extended its footprint across Pennsylvania and Maryland, inaugurating its 20th store in Pottsville, Pennsylvania by late 2000. By February 2005, the chain operated 36 stores with annual sales reaching $150 million under the leadership of president and CEO Mark Butler.
In 2008, Ollie's streamlined its logistics by consolidating four distribution centers into a single facility located in York, Pennsylvania. To support further expansion, a second distribution hub was established in Commerce, Georgia in 2014.
The company went public on July 16, 2015, listing on Nasdaq under the ticker OLLI. A notable achievement came in 2017 when Ollie's surpassed $1 billion in total sales for the first time.
Following Butler’s death in December 2019, John Swygert—formerly executive vice president and COO since 2018—was promoted to president and CEO. In 2021, Ollie's reported net sales of $1.753 billion, representing a slight decrease of 3.1% compared to the previous year.
In March 2025, Ollie's acquired leases for 63 stores from competitor Big Lots after its closure. The company plans to convert these locations into Ollie's stores by year-end to expand its market presence and geographic reach.
Operations
Ollie's Bargain Outlet operates by acquiring products in large quantities directly from manufacturers and other sellers, then offering these items in smaller lots at reduced prices across its retail locations. The inventory mainly consists of manufacturer overruns, excess stock, packaging modifications, and clearance items, which allows the company to keep its operational and distribution expenses low. The brand's motto is "good stuff cheap".
Other ventures
Since 2004, Ollie's has been a sponsor of NASCAR competitor Dave Blaney, boosting its brand recognition. The Ollie's Cares Charitable Foundation contributes to prominent national organizations including the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation, Kevin Harvick Foundation, Feeding America, Toys for Tots, and Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. Through various store-driven campaigns and events, the foundation generates over $2 million annually in support.