Burlington Stores to move longtime headquarters from NJ to Philadelphia
The retailer got its start in Burlington in 1972. Its new headquarters project is expected to create at least 2,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, while thousands of Burlington jobs will remain in New Jersey.
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Burlington Stores, the national retailer that opened its first store in Burlington more than 50 years ago, is moving its corporate headquarters from Burlington Township to Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania officials announced Thursday that Burlington plans to invest $370 million in a new headquarters at Schuylkill Yards in West Philadelphia. The project is expected to create at least 2,000 jobs in Pennsylvania over the next five years.
About 1,600 employees currently work at Burlington's Burlington Township headquarters, according to the company. Burlington told News 12 those employees will transition to Philadelphia as part of the headquarters move.
The company said it does not anticipate any overall job losses, while noting that it continues to grow and open stores in New Jersey. Burlington's warehouses and distribution centers in the state will also continue operating, employing more than 2,000 associates.
Burlington plans to move teams to Philadelphia in phases beginning no earlier than the end of 2028 or early 2029. The company said it has not yet determined what it will do with its current headquarters property.
The relocation will take Burlington's headquarters out of the state where the company opened its first store in 1972. Burlington operated 1,300 stores in 47 states as of Aug. 1.
Pennsylvania is committing $30 million in state funding to support the project. Philadelphia is also offering a $7 million forgivable loan and a Job Creation Tax Credit award.
"We are very excited to be relocating our corporate headquarters to Philadelphia," Burlington Stores CEO Michael O'Sullivan said. He said the company was "strongly attracted to the energy, talent, and infrastructure that Philadelphia has to offer."
Gov. Mikie Sherrill's office said it was disappointed by Burlington's decision.
"Governor Sherrill has been clear that she is committed to making New Jersey the best place to start and grow a business, but right now, it is simply too hard to do business in our state," the governor's office said.
The administration cited lengthy permitting, difficult-to-navigate regulations and unnecessary delays as obstacles to investment, expansion and job creation. It said Sherrill is working to streamline permitting, increase accountability and engage directly with the state's business community.
The New Jersey Business & Industry Association also called the departure a significant loss for the state, pointing to the loss of executive presence and potential future job growth in New Jersey.
Despite the headquarters relocation, Burlington said it does not anticipate an overall loss of jobs and will continue operating warehouses, distribution centers and stores in New Jersey.
