At Home is an American home decor superstore chain that has been rapidly growing since its inception in 1979. With more than 180 stores across the United States and Canada, At Home is the latest addition to the home decor retail landscape. But who owns At Home?
Who Owns At Home?
At Home is owned by At Home Group, Inc., a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. At Home Group, Inc. is majority owned by Bain Capital, a private equity firm founded in 1984 by Mitt Romney, the former Governor of Massachusetts and 2012 Republican presidential candidate. At Home Group, Inc. is also partially owned by its executives and other major investors.
History of At Home
At Home was founded in 1979 by Steve Lifferth, a real estate investor and former retail executive. The company began as a small chain of furniture stores in Texas and quickly expanded to more than two dozen stores across the country. In 2002, At Home merged with Garden Ridge, a garden-focused retail chain founded in 1979. The combination of the two companies resulted in a much larger chain of stores with a greater selection of home decor products.
At Home's Expansion
Since its merger with Garden Ridge, At Home has grown rapidly, opening more than 180 stores across the United States and Canada. At Home stores are typically large, stocking more than 50,000 items in each location. In addition to traditional home decor products, At Home stores also offer a range of seasonal and holiday items.
At Home's Branding Strategy
At Home has adopted a unique branding strategy that focuses on a wide range of home decor products. The company emphasizes its selection of home decor products, which range from furniture to wall art to lighting. Additionally, At Home has positioned itself as a destination for shoppers seeking home decor inspiration, offering online tips and advice for creating beautiful home spaces.
At Home's Growth Plans
At Home is continuing to expand its presence in the home decor retail landscape. The company plans to open at least 20 new stores in 2018 and 2019, as well as launch an e-commerce website. Additionally, At Home plans to expand its selection of products and offer a greater range of home decor services.