P. C. Richard & Son
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (appliances, electronics, mattresses) |
| Founded | 1909 |
| Founder | Alfred J. Richard, Pieter Christian Richard |
| Headquarters | Farmingdale , United States |
Area served | New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania |
Key people | Gregg Richard (President and CEO) |
| Products | Appliances, televisions, electronics, mattresses |
Number of employees | 3,000 (2018) |
P.C. Richard & Son, commonly referred to as P.C. Richard, stands as the largest privately held, family-operated chain specializing in appliances, televisions, electronics, and mattresses within the United States. Operating 66 stores throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, its primary customer base is concentrated in Long Island as well as the Queens and Brooklyn boroughs of New York City. Established in 1909 by Alfred J. Richard and Pieter Christian Richard, the company has maintained a significant regional footprint, employing around 3,000 individuals as of 2018.
Based in Farmingdale, New York, P.C. Richard & Son reported $1.5 billion in revenue during 2008. The company is led by President and CEO Gregg Richard, who directs its strategic initiatives aimed at consistent growth amid a competitive retail landscape. A notable element of the brand identity is its distinctive whistle jingle, composed by Soundsmith employee Leer Leary. This audio branding has been effectively utilized in collaborations with sports franchises such as the New York Yankees and Long Island Ducks to boost brand recognition and market presence within its core territories.
History
The origins of the company trace back to 1909 when Pieter Christian Richard, an immigrant from the Netherlands, launched a modest hardware shop in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. His son Alfred J. Richard (A.J.), born that same year, became involved early on and left formal education after ninth grade in 1923 to dedicate himself to growing the enterprise. A.J. was instrumental in introducing electric appliances like clothes irons and pioneered installment payment plans to stimulate sales growth.
On February 1, 1947, A.J. assumed the roles of president and majority owner while gradually integrating his sons Peter and Gary into management positions. The business expanded its reach into Long Island and other regions over time. Following Pieter’s passing in 1972, A.J. took on the chairman role until his death in his nineties. In 1982, Gary stepped into the presidency with Peter acting as executive vice president. Gary’s son Gregg joined the firm later and ascended to president in 2004, shortly before A.J.’s death at age ninety-five. Leadership now includes members of the fourth generation—Gregg Richard, Bonni Rondinello, and Peter Richard III—who continue to guide the family-owned company.
Growth and expansion
The company entered the New Jersey market in 1993 and subsequently launched fifteen showrooms spanning New Jersey, Westchester County, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island between 1995 and 2003.
In 2009, P.C. Richard & Son expanded into Connecticut by acquiring six former Circuit City outlets. Growth persisted with new locations opening in Milford, North Haven, Danbury, Newington, Manchester, and Enfield through 2010. That same year marked the debut of its first Pennsylvania superstore situated in Philadelphia.
By 2014, mattress offerings from Sealy, Stearns & Foster, and Tempur-Pedic were incorporated into fourteen store locations’ inventories.
In 2016, the company secured an exclusive retail agreement for U.S. distribution with Beko—a prominent European appliance manufacturer making its initial entry into the American market.
Builders Division
P.C. Richard & Son also manages a Builders Division dedicated to handling large-scale purchases for builders, property managers, and sizable facilities—facilitating bulk procurement distinct from its consumer retail operations.
Official sponsorships
The company serves as the official retailer for appliances, electronics, and mattresses at numerous notable sports and entertainment locations, including:
- New York Yankees
- Barclays Center (NY)
- Long Island Ducks (NY)
- iHeartRadio Theater (NY), previously bearing the company's name
- New York Islanders (NY)
- Brooklyn Nets (NY)
- Music Conservatory of Westchester
- Nassau Coliseum (NY)
- Somerset Patriots (NJ)
- Raceway Park (NJ)
- Splish Splash Water Park (NY)
- Sun National Bank Center (NJ)
- UConn Athletics (CT)
- Webster Bank Arena (CT)
These collaborations boost brand exposure within vital regional markets and align closely with the company’s targeted marketing strategies.
Thanksgiving
According to The New York Times, the retailer’s advertisements focus more on people than products, featuring a nostalgic and sincere tone that captures "what drives P.C. Richard." The New York Daily News emphasized that a core part of the company’s philosophy is valuing its workforce by allowing employees to spend Thanksgiving at home with their families, underscoring its employee-centric culture. New York Newsday noted the company’s choice to close on Thanksgiving Day while opening early on Black Friday, deliberately avoiding a widespread retail practice.
A 2014 opinion article in New York Post praised this stance, highlighting social media support for retailers closing on Thanksgiving, which aligns well with P.C. Richard & Son’s principles and market positioning.