Vera Bradley
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File:Vera Bradley Designs (logo).png | |
Public | |
Traded as | NASDAQ: VRA |
Founded | 1982 |
Founder | Patricia Miller and Barbara Bradley Baekgaard |
Headquarters | Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States |
Number of locations
|
144 (August 2015) 107 Full Line Stores + 37 Factory Stores |
Key people
|
Robert Wallstrom (CEO) Kevin Sierks (CFO) Sue Fuller (Chief Merchandising Officer) Theresa Palermo (Chief Marketing Officer) |
Products | handbags, weekend and travel accessories, totes, backpacks, wallets, watches, scarves, glasses cases, cosmetic cases, umbrellas, accessory coverings, and stationery |
$40.8 million, or $1.00 per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended 1/31/15 | |
Number of employees
|
2800 as of March 2015 |
Website | verabradley.com |
Vera Bradley is the name of a luggage and handbag design company founded by Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia Miller in 1982.[1] It is an American design company best known for its patterned bags.[2] The Fort Wayne, Indiana company produces a variety of products, including handbags, luggage, and accessories.
Contents
History
While traveling through the Atlanta, Georgia airport, neighbors Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia Miller noticed the fact that there were no feminine looking luggage styles.[3] They started the company with five hundred dollars, (each contributing $250).[4] The name comes from Baekgaard's mother, Vera, who was a stylish inspiration, formerly a model for Elizabeth Arden.[3] In three years, the company expanded into a multimillion-dollar company.[citation needed] Net revenues from continuing operations totaled $509.0 million for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2015.
Miller and Baekgaard were awarded with Entrepreneur of the Year in 1987.
Products
Vera Bradley bags come in several sizes and styles, as well as many different patterns and colors. There are handbags, totes, travel duffels, backpacks, and diaper bags. The Company has broadened its product assortment from quilted cotton bags to include solid microfiber, leather, faux leather, and several other fabrications.
Vera Bradley also offers rolling luggage, wallets, electronic device cases (for laptops, phones, and iPads), glasses/eyeglass/sunglass cases, cosmetic cases, wrist accessories, jewelry, jewelry cases, umbrellas, accessories, stationery, and gifts.
The Company distributes its products through Vera Bradley Full Line stores, Vera Bradley Factory Outlet stores, verabradley.com, its annual outlet sale (held in Fort Wayne), approximately 2700 specialty gift retailers, over 600 department stores (Dillard's, Macy's, Von Maur, Belk, and Bon Ton), key accounts (such as QVC and Disney), and third party e-commerce sites.
The Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer
The Vera Bradley Foundation supports Breast Cancer Research at the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories at the Indiana University Cancer Center. Its biggest fund-raising event is the annual Vera Bradley Classic Women's Golf and Tennis Tournament in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Through October 2015, the Foundation has donated a total of $25.7 million to breast cancer research.