Burlington Redesigns Stores to Make Shopping Easier
Burlington Stores is giving its locations a major makeover. The off-price retailer has already transformed about half of its 1,115 stores and plans to complete the redesign across its entire fleet by the end of 2026.
The company calls this makeover "Store Experience 2.0." Gone are the cramped aisles and confusing layouts that once defined discount shopping. Instead, Burlington is creating wider walkways, organized sections, and clearer signs to help shoppers find what they need.
"Now, instead of a difficult-to-navigate and endless sea of racks, you'll find a store layout that's much more welcoming, inviting, exciting," CEO Michael O'Sullivan said during a recent analyst call. The new design showcases the latest trends and makes it easier for customers to discover brands.
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Burlington isn't alone in rethinking its retail space. Major players like Walmart and even Amazon Fresh have been widening aisles and making it easier to shop. For Burlington, which sells brand-name merchandise at up to 60% off regular prices, the changes represent a important step in staying competitive with rivals TJX and Ross.
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"Feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive," O'Sullivan noted.
The retailer is celebrating the milestone with weekend events across 21 markets, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. Shoppers can expect sweepstakes and giveaways at participating locations.
Burlington's redesign comes during a period of expansion as the company plans to open 100 new stores this year and another 100 in 2026. Earlier this year, it acquired leases from 46 former Joann locations following that retailer's bankruptcy.
The investment appears to be paying off. Burlington's first-quarter results showed a 6% increase in total sales, while net income jumped 28% year-over-year to over $100 million.
Beyond the physical changes, Burlington has also upgraded its behind-the-scenes operations through what it calls "Merchandising 2.0." These new systems give buyers more flexibility to respond quickly to changing market conditions, including shifting trade costs.