Belk, Inc. (stylized as belk) is an American mid-range to upscale department store chain founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, North Carolina. It is a large family owned and operated department store company, with 299 locations in 16 states. The company is in the third generation of Belk family leadership. Belk stores and Belk.com offer national brands and private label fashion apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, a wedding registry and home furnishings. Belk competes with department stores JCPenney, Kohl's and Sears. Its flagship locations are larger and sell higher end, more specialty brands of merchandise and compete with higher end retailers, such as Dillard's, Macy's and Von Maur.

History

Belk was founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in Monroe, North Carolina, outside Charlotte. The store was first called "New York Racket" and then "Belk Brothers," after Belk made his brother, physician Dr. John Belk, his partner. Belk bought in volume to pass savings on and sold at fixed prices, then a relatively unusual practice.