Sustainable Brand Benchmark - Express

Express, Inc. is an American fashion retailer that has been a notable player in the apparel industry. The company, which owns the brand Express, has a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1980. Initially established as ""Limited Express"" within the Limited Brands umbrella, the company opened its first store in Chicago's Water Tower Place. Over the years, Express, Inc. has evolved significantly, both in its product offerings and its market presence.

The company's portfolio includes the brands Express, Bonobos, and UpWest, each catering to different segments of the fashion market. Express, Inc. operates on an omnichannel platform, which means it has a strong presence both in physical stores and online. As of 2021, the company operated over 500 stores across the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

Express, Inc.'s product range is diverse, offering apparel and accessories for both men and women. The company's offerings include a variety of clothing items such as shirts, suits, shorts, blazers, vests, sweaters, tees, polos, jeans, pants, dresses, jumpsuits, dress pants, tops, skirts, and jackets. In addition to clothing, Express also provides accessories like ties, shoes, hats, watches, sunglasses, belts, jewelry, handbags, hair accessories, boots, and fragrance and beauty products.

The company has undergone several strategic changes over the years. In 2001, Express reintegrated its Structure stores as ""Express Men,"" making it a dual-gender brand. This move was followed by the opening of dual-gender Express stores the next year. In 2019, Express announced the launch of UpWest, a direct-to-consumer lifestyle brand focused on health, wellness, and sustainability. Alongside UpWest, the company also established The UpWest Foundation, which supports various charitable causes.

In terms of financial performance, Express, Inc. reported a revenue of US$ 1.87 billion in 2021. However, the company has faced challenges, particularly due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In August 2023, Express announced layoffs as part of an effort to achieve significant annualized expense reductions by the end of 2025. The company also warned of the potential need to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing declining store sales and rising costs.

Despite these challenges, Express, Inc. continues to be a key player in the retail fashion industry, adapting to changing market conditions and consumer preferences. The company's commitment to style, quality, and value remains at the core of its business philosophy, as it strives to provide fashionable choices for its customers. Express, Inc. is traded on the OTC Pink under the symbol EXPR and maintains its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.