Burlington Secures Lease for New South Philadelphia Store Format
Burlington Stores Inc. is continuing its aggressive expansion in the Philadelphia market by securing a lease for a new location at Whitman Plaza in South Philadelphia. The off-price retailer will occupy a 25,324-square-foot space at 330 West Oregon Avenue, taking over a portion of the site formerly occupied by Kmart. This new outpost will feature the company’s modernized “3.0” store format, which represents a significant departure from its traditional, sprawling layouts.
The “3.0” concept focuses on a smaller physical footprint, utilizing bright lighting and wider aisles to create a more organized shopping experience. This strategy allows Burlington to infiltrate shopping centers where large anchor spaces are unavailable, aiming to compete more directly with TJ Maxx and Ross Stores. The Whitman Plaza location joins a growing list of new stores as the company targets opening 100 net new locations annually.
However, the move has drawn scrutiny from some market observers and local residents. Critics point out that the smaller format necessitates a reduced inventory compared to the massive “Coat Factory” stores of the past, potentially frustrating customers seeking the brand’s historically deep selection of outerwear and suits. Additionally, the arrival of another high-traffic retailer to the Oregon Avenue corridor has raised concerns about worsening congestion in an area already plagued by gridlock during peak shopping hours. Despite these potential drawbacks, the retailer remains focused on capitalizing on the vacancies left by bankrupt big-box chains to capture value-oriented shoppers.
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