Robert Hall Clothes
| Industry | Retail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | Jacob Schwab |
| Defunct | 1977 |
| Fate | Bankrupt |
| Products | Apparel |
| Parent | United Merchants and Manufacturers Inc. |
Robert Hall Clothes, Inc., commonly referred to as Robert Hall, was a prominent American apparel retailer operating approximately between 1938 and 1977. Headquartered in Connecticut, its warehouse-style outlets were primarily located within the metropolitan regions of New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. A 1949 Time magazine article noted that the company’s name was a fabricated creation; its founder, garment merchant Jacob Schwab, admitted to having "pulled the name out of thin air." The enterprise began with a single retail location in Waterbury, Connecticut in 1937. Schwab had served as treasurer for United Merchants and Manufacturers—the parent organization of Robert Hall—since 1922. By 1946, Schwab ranked among the nation's top-earning executives, with an annual income exceeding $440,000.
History
Founded in 1937 with one store in Waterbury, Connecticut, Robert Hall expanded steadily to operate more than 350 warehouse-format outlets across 36 states. During the mid-1950s, the company established a new store at 2725 6th Ave. in Huntington, West Virginia, supplementing existing locations in Portsmouth, Ohio, and Morgantown, West Virginia.
Manufacturing for Robert Hall was predominantly conducted domestically, mainly in the lower Hudson Valley near Poughkeepsie, New York, as well as in North Carolina. The company's decline in the 1970s was largely attributed to its reluctance to offshore production—a trend embraced by competitors such as K-Mart and other department stores. Unlike these rivals who sold mass-produced “ready to wear” clothing available in standard sizes, Robert Hall emphasized tailoring and personalized customer service to ensure garments were affordable, well-fitting, and durable.
After incurring losses exceeding $100 million over three years, Robert Hall filed for bankruptcy protection in July 1977. Subsequently, all 367 stores were sold that summer for $35 million. Jacob Schwab passed away in Manhattan in 1982 at the age of 90.
Sales
Robert Hall was a trailblazer in the low-cost, large-format ("big box") retail model, merging affordable merchandise with widespread radio and television marketing campaigns. Many individuals who grew up during the 1950s and 1960s fondly remember the catchy advertising tunes. One such jingle went, "When the values go up up up/And the prices go down down down/Robert Hall this season/Will show you the reason/High quality - economy," while another version ended with "Low overhead... low overhead."
The company also ran Robert Hall Village stores,[1] where its clothing was sold alongside various other products within approximately 120,000 ft² outlets. These locations are recognized as early examples of the discount superstore format. Retail space not dedicated to clothing was leased out to separate businesses.[2]
Bankruptcy
In July 1977, United Merchants and Manufacturers, the parent company of Robert Hall, filed for bankruptcy due to financial losses incurred by the Robert Hall chain. This led to the closure of all 366 stores, with their inventory sold through auctions.[3] Subsequently, Steven Watstein acquired the Robert Hall business from the UMM bankruptcy estate using its own assets and proceeded to liquidate it.[4]
The January 24, 2022 issue of The New Yorker features an article titled "What's the Deal, Hummingbird?" by Arthur Krystal that includes a reference to Robert Hall’s jingle.
References
- ↑ ROBERT HALL VILLAGE Trademark of Robert Hall Clothes, Inc. - Justia Trademarks
- ↑ Jeff Spitalnik, former Robert Hall Villages management, comment on North Park Mall, Villa Park, Ill
- ↑ Barmash, Isadore (July 13, 1977). "United Merchants, Citing Losses, Files Voluntary Bankruptcy Action". The New York Times. pp. D1.
- ↑ "Palm Beach: Wild Wild West Robert Hall purchased and liquidated by Steven Watstein". Archived from the original on 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2011-11-17.
External links
- Robert Hall Jingle/Commercial Video via YouTube
- Clothing retailers of the United States
- American companies established in 1937
- Clothing companies established in 1937
- Retail companies established in 1937
- Retail companies disestablished in 1977
- Defunct retail companies of the United States
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1977
- 1937 establishments in Connecticut