Pier 1 Imports Inc. is a Fort Worth, Texas-based retailer specializing in imported home furnishings and decor, particularly furniture, table-top items, decorative accessories and seasonal decor. The chain operates over 1,200 stores under the name Pier 1 Imports in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The company also had a children's furniture and accessories retail concept in the United States called Pier 1 Kids which was disbanded in September 2007. It was a member of the S&P MidCap 400 list through the end of 2006, when it was bumped off the list.

The company was founded in 1962 in San Mateo, California.

Former spokespeople for the company, seen largely in broadcast commercials, include Cheers alumna Kirstie Alley and Thom Filicia of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.

History

The first Pier 1 Imports store opened in San Mateo, California in 1962. According to the Company's official history, the original store catered to hippy baby boomers and featured love beads and incense.

By 1966 Pier 1 had grown to 16 store locations, and established its corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

Pier 1 went public on the American Stock Exchange in 1970 and later joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1972. At this time, the company had grown to 123 stores, posted 100 percent sales gains for four consecutive years, and opened stores internationally in Australia and Europe.

A Pier 1 store in Royal Oak, Michigan reached annual sales of $1 million in 1979. By 1985, the Pier 1 chain grew to 265 stores, with the management goal of doubling that number by 1990.

On December 29, 2006 Standard & Poor's bumped Pier 1 Imports Inc. down one spot and off the bottom of the S&P MidCap 400 Index when it added Parametric Technology Corp. a software company.

Merchandise

Pier 1 merchandise consists of home furnishings and items including accessories such as candles, vases and picture frames as well as full-sized upholstered furniture, hand-carved armoires, large-scale vases and eclectic wall décor. Items are imported, created in conjunction with foreign designers, or produced by Pier 1's Trend and Product Development team.

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