Batus

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This page refers to the former subsidiary of British American Tobacco, plc. For the British military organization, see BATUS.

BATUS Inc. is a United States former subsidiary of British American Tobacco, now the world's second largest cigarette manufacturer. Beginning in the late 1960s, British American Tobacco followed the then-fashionable theory of diversification, including significant investments in the apparently booming world of retail.

Through its BATUS unit (somewhat redundantly, the acronym referred to "British American Tobacco -- US"), the company created BRG, for BATUS Retail Group.

BRG also owned ready-to-wear specialist Thimbles and west coast furniture chain Breuners. Ultimately, BATUS proved unable to withstand increasing competitive pressures, leading it to withdraw from the market completely by 1990.

[edit] Department stores owned by BATUS

• Saks Fifth Avenue of New York City, New York (Still operations)
• Gimbel's of New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee (Now Macy's)
• J.B. Ivey of Charlotte and Jacksonville, Florida (Now Dillard's)
• Kohl's (Still operations)
• Frederick & Nelson (Now Nordstrom)
• The Crescent of Spokane, Washington (Closed 1992)
• Marshall Field's (Now Macy's)