Batus Inc.

BATUS Inc. is a former United States subsidiary of British American Tobacco (BAT), now the world's second largest cigarette manufacturer. BATUS served as the U.S. holding company for BAT.[1] In 1960s, the company followed the conglomerate fad, diversifying into areas such as insurance, drink and the apparently booming world of retail.

Through its BATUS unit (somewhat redundantly, the acronym referred to "British American Tobacco – US"), British American Tobacco diversified its tobacco holdings with acquisitions in the retail sector, paper sector (through the acquisition of Appleton Paper Company,[1] ), and insurance (through the acquisition of Farmers Insurance Group). BATUS was created by British American Tobacco to oversee the US holdings. Management for BATUS was initially derived from Brown and Williamson Tobacco with B&W's CEO and Chairman of the Board, Joseph E. Edens initially leading BATUS, followed by Charlie McCarty and Hank Frigon, the first non B&W or BAT executive to lead the company.

Throughout the early 1970s to mid-1980s, Brown and Williamson and then BATUS acquired Saks Fifth Avenue,[1] Frederick and Nelson, Marshall Fields, Ivey's, Bruener's Furniture and Home Furnishings, Kohl Food and Department Stores,[2] Gimbel Brothers. The retail operations proved complex and were not competing well in their markets. Several early acquisitions, like Gimbels, acquired with Saks Fifth Avenue, were sold for poor performance, while others, like Kohl, were spun off to their management group. To manage the large retail holdings, BAT and BATUS created BATUS Retail Group in the early to mid 80s (BRG) (who went on to expand the current store presence of existing businesses and developed a ready-to-wear specialty business Thimbles.

In 1989, BAT became a target of a takeover by Sir James Goldsmith. In an effort to fend off the takeover, BAT divested much of its US operations to raise capital and focus the business. BRG and BATUS was shut down and some remaining administrative operations were consolidated back to Brown and Williamson Tobacco.

While the company was not responsible to produce an annual report since they were a subsidiary of British American Tobacco based in London, they did produce the report to assist with financing and investments in the States. One of BATUS' primary responsibilities was the management of funding and cash from US operations.[3]

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 City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee (now Macy's) Brown and Williamson 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) Brown and Williamson 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.
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References
  1. Knight, Jerry (17 March 1982). "Batus Inc. To Acquire Field Stores". Washington Post.
  2. Randle, Wilma. "KOHL`S TO EXPAND MAINSTREET". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2019-06-19.
  3. https://industrydocuments.library.ucsf.edu/tobacco/docs/#id=pldd0194
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