The Buckle, Inc. is an American fashionretailer selling clothing, footwear, and accessories for men, women, boys, girls. The company operates 451 stores in 42 states throughout the United States of America, under the names Buckle and The Buckle. Buckle markets brand name and private label apparel, including denim, other casual bottoms, tops and shirts, dresses and rompers, sportswear and athleisure, outerwear, footwear, swimwear, fragrances, sunglasses, bags and purses, wallets, and other accessories.
History
Buckle began as a men's clothing store established in 1948 in Kearney, Nebraska. The first store was founded by David Hirschfeld and operated under the name Mills Clothing. His son, Dan Hirschfeld, took over the business in 1965. In 1967, a second store was purchased and operated under the name Brass Buckle. The company began selling more casual men's clothing and by the early 1970s, Brass Buckle had developed into a denim-based store offering a wide selection of denim and shirts.
1970 – Current president and CEO, Dennis Nelson, joins the company.
1977 – The company introduces women's clothing and the first mall-based location is opened.
1988 – Distribution operations relocate to a new home, the Brass Buckle Center, in west Kearney.
1991 – Brass Buckle changes its name to The Buckle, Inc. and begins development of private clothing label, bkle, known today as BKE.
1992 – The company goes public on the NASDAQ, where it is traded as BKLE. The company reaches operations of 100 stores in 18 states.
1997 – The Buckle moves to the New York Stock Exchange, where it now trades under the symbol, BKE.
1998 – The Buckle reaches operations of 200 stores in 29 states.
1999 – The first eCommerce website is launched.
2009 – The Buckle reaches operation of 400 stores in 41 states.
2011 – The company reaches a milestone of selling five million pairs of jeans in one year.
2017 – The Buckle operates over 450 stores in 44 states.
Merchandise
Buckle markets denim jeans, casual bottoms, fashion tops and shirts, dresses and rompers, active wear, outerwear, footwear, swimwear, fragrances, sunglasses, bags and purses, wallets, and other accessories. Buckle's own private label brands make up 35% of sales.
