Batus Inc.
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.
Department stores owned by BATUS
- The Crescent of Spokane, Washington (became Frederick & Nelson 1988) In 1982, BATUS purchased Marshall Field's, owners of The Crescent. BATUS sold The Crescent with Frederick & Nelson in 1986.
- Frederick & Nelson of Seattle, Washington (closed 1992, flagship became a Nordstrom in 1998) In 1982, BATUS purchased Marshall Field's, owners of Frederick & Nelson. BATUS sold Frederick & Nelson with The Crescent in 1986.
- Gimbels of New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee (now Macy's) BATUS purchased Gimbels in 1973. BATUS closed the division in 1986. Some stores were taken over by sister division Marshall Field's, which became Macy's in 2006.
- J.B. Ivey of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jacksonville, Florida (now Dillard's) In 1982, BATUS purchased Marshall Field's, owners of Ivey's. BATUS sold Ivey's in 1990 to Dillard's.
- Kohl's of Wisconsin (still operating) In 1972, BATUS purchased Kohl's. The Kohl's grocery stores were sold to A&P in 1983. BATUS sold Kohl's department stores in 1986.
- Marshall Field's of Chicago, Illinois (now Macy's) In 1982, BATUS purchased Marshall Field's. BATUS sold Marshall Field's to Dayton Hudson Corporation (now Target Corporation) in 1990. Marshall Field's was then purchased by May Department Stores in 2004. May Department Stores was purchased in 2005 by Federated Department Stores, which renamed all of the stores Macy's in 2006.
- Saks Fifth Avenue of New York City, New York (still operating) BATUS acquired Saks Fifth Avenue in 1973 with its acquisition of Gimbels. In 1990, BATUS sold Saks to Investcorp S.A., which later sold Saks to Proffitt's, Inc.; that firm in turn changed its name to Saks Incorporated.