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Oriental Trading company history timeline

1932

The company was founded as a gift shop in 1932 in Omaha, Nebraska by Harry Watanabe.

1977

During the year 1977, the focus of the company had shifted from carnivals to supplying party goods for churches, schools, retailers and individuals.

1999

Our website launched in 1999, introducing us as an online retailer to an ever-growing number of customers.

2000

Then in the year 2000, the company was sold off to Brentwood Associates.

2006

As of the year 2006, The Carlyle Group bought 68 per cent interest in the company with Brentwood owning a reported 25 per cent.

2010

As of the year 2010, the company had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

2012

The company's CEO Sam Taylor appeared in the March 10, 2012, episode of the TV show Undercover Boss.

On November 2, 2012, Berkshire Hathaway announced they would acquire the company.

In 2012, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway saw tremendous value and growth opportunity in Oriental Trading and made the decision to purchase our company.

2017

To better meet the needs of our customers, Oriental Trading created Fun365 in 2017.

2021

In 2021, Oriental Trading purchased Morris Costumes, a leader in the costume industry for over 50 years.

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Founded
1932
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Headquarters
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Founders
Harry Watanabe
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Oriental Trading competitors

Company nameFounded dateRevenueEmployee sizeJob openings
Vudu2004-180-
Sears Holdings2005$1.4B85,000750
Winmark1988$81.3M902
Sharper Image1977$86.0M2,000-
Michaels Stores1973$5.3B45,0002,521
Sterling Jewelry1906$6.0B18,000-
Kroger1883$147.1B465,0008,553
Walgreens1901-210,50020,556
Staples1986$18.2B75,0001,861
Kohl's1962$16.2B110,0001,468

Oriental Trading history FAQs

Zippia gives an in-depth look into the details of Oriental Trading, including salaries, political affiliations, employee data, and more, in order to inform job seekers about Oriental Trading. The employee data is based on information from people who have self-reported their past or current employments at Oriental Trading. The data on this page is also based on data sources collected from public and open data sources on the Internet and other locations, as well as proprietary data we licensed from other companies. Sources of data may include, but are not limited to, the BLS, company filings, estimates based on those filings, H1B filings, and other public and private datasets. While we have made attempts to ensure that the information displayed are correct, Zippia is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of this information. None of the information on this page has been provided or approved by Oriental Trading. The data presented on this page does not represent the view of Oriental Trading and its employees or that of Zippia.

Oriental Trading may also be known as or be related to Oriental Trading, Oriental Trading Co, Oriental Trading Company and Oriental Trading Company Inc.