J Crew vs J Crew Factory: Difference and Comparison

J Crew and J Crew factory are both parts of the J Crew company. J Crew factory is one of the outlet stores of J Crew.

These are a part of the same company that is given different names.

J Crew factory was later launched by J Crew Company to make goods available at affordable prices. These two come are owned by the same people.

Key Takeaways

  1. J.Crew offers higher-quality, trendier clothing at a higher price point.
  2. J.Crew Factory provides more affordable, discounted items focusing on casual and basic wear.
  3. J.Crew Factory items are specifically designed for the outlet store, while J.Crew items are from the main line.

J Crew vs J Crew Factory

J.Crew is a high-end fashion brand that offers a range of clothing, shoes, and accessories for men, women, and children. The brand is known for its preppy, classic styles and quality materials. J.Crew Factory is a more affordable clothing brand that offers similar styles to J.Crew at lower prices.

J Crew vs J Crew Factory

J Crew is a big multi-brand company in America. It sells clothing for males, females, and children. It sells all kinds of clothes and accessories.

They include fancy dresses, shirts, pants, t-shirts, loungewear, swimwear, bags, etc. It is a garment retailer company. The company was formed in 1947.

The brand made huge profits and gained lots of popularity back then.

J Crew Factory is one among many outlet stores of J Crew Company. It is an initiative of the company to sell clothes at affordable prices.

However, these affordable prices lead to a decrease in the quality of the product. One can find several retail shops of J Crew factory around the cities of the US and Europe.

Comparison Table

Parameters of ComparisonJ CrewJ Crew Factory
DefinitionIt is a company.It is an outlet of J Crew company.
RateIts products are expensive. Its products are cheap compared to J Crew.
QualityIt has high-quality products.Its products are of low quality compared to that of J Crew.
FormedIt was established before J Crew Factory.It was formed later.
Designs It has new original designs.Its designs are copied from that of J Crew.

What is J Crew?

J Crew is a famous multi-brand garment retailer company. It was formed in 1947 with the name “Popular Merchandise.” Its founder was Mitchell Cinader It’sSaul Charles.

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The company sells its products through retail stores, factories, online, Madewell stores, etc.

Back in 2018, the company owned about 506 retail shops. These shops included J Crew retail stores, J Crew factory (outlet), Madewell stores, etc. The company also works through catalogues.

The very first catalog the company launched was in 1947 after five months of its formation. The company launched both designers wear a”d comfy wear which w”re ideal for working.

The very first international store the company opened was in Toronto. It has operated in Canada, France, UK, Japan, Hong Kong, etc.

Back during its formation, the company was called Popular Merchandise; later, in 1983, it was renamed J Crew.

For a long time, the company was owned by the Cinader family. Today the company belongs to Anchorage Capital and Leonard Green and Partners.

The recent CEO of the company is Libby Wadley, who replaced Jan Singer, who had been a CEO for almost a year or so.

j crew

What is J Crew Factory?

The J-Crew company has several divisions. One of these divisions is the J Crew Factory. The other divisions it includes are J Crew Crewcuts, Madewell, The Ludlow Shop, J Crew Mercantile, etc.

In simple words, J Crew Factory is one of the outlets of J Crew.

Same as J Crew, this outlet keeps men, women, and children’s clothes and accessories. This outlet is a famous outlet of J Crew.

The J crew factory stores do business through both retail stores as well as online websites.

There are about 147 J Crew Factory stores (which also counts J Crew Mercantile) present all around Europe, the US, Japan, Hongkong.

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The objective of the J Crew Factory is to provide garments and accessories at reasonable prices.

One can find similar design clothing in J Crew Factory to that of the original J Crew. The plus point is that these pieces are very affordable compared to the actual J Crew ones.

This outlet has clearance sales both in physical stores as well as online stores. It also provides an exchange and returns facility within 30 days of purchase if one has a receipt.

However, many reviews say that the J Crew Factory clothes aren’t of the same quality as that of the J Crew original. This is self-explanatory as the prices of clothes go down, so does their quality.

However, if the quality is not a big issue or not a preference, then the clothes from J Crew Factory are not a bad choice.

j crew factory

Main Differences Between J Crew and J Crew Factory

  1. J Crew is a company, whereas J Crew Factory is a division (outlet) of the company.
  2. J Crew has expensive clothing items, whereas J Crew Factory has affordable clothing items.
  3. J Craren’t high-quality products, whereas J Crew Factory’s products are of cheaper quality.
  4. Clothes for J Crew are originally designed, whereas that from the J Crew factory are copies of the original J Crew ones.
  5. J Crew was formed before the J Crew factory ever existed.
References
  1. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.2752/136270497779640125
  2. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2974719

Last Updated : 30 July, 2023

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21 thoughts on “J Crew vs J Crew Factory: Difference and Comparison”

  1. The comparison table clearly outlines the differences between J Crew and J Crew Factory, shedding light on the rate, quality, formation, and designs offered by each. It’s a comprehensive summary of their distinctions.

    Reply
    • Absolutely, Richardson Jonathan. The way J Crew Factory strategically positions itself as an outlet to provide affordable options while maintaining similarity in design with J Crew is an interesting business approach.

      Reply
  2. Thank you for explaining the difference between J Crew and J Crew Factory in such detail. It’s interesting to know that J Crew Factory offers similar styles to J Crew at lower prices by providing discounted items. The expansion of J Crew in different countries is also remarkable.

    Reply
    • I completely agree with you, Isaac28. The comparison table is quite helpful in understanding the distinction between the two and how they cater to different markets.

      Reply
    • The history of J Crew and J Crew Factory is fascinating. It’s impressive to see how far the company has come since its formation in 1947. The shift in ownership and its expansion into international markets is a testament to its success.

      Reply
  3. The detailed comparison of J Crew and J Crew Factory enriches our understanding of their distinct offerings. It’s fascinating to see how the company’s strategies have shaped its approach to providing high-quality and affordable fashion.

    Reply
    • Indeed, Faye Baker. The strategic positioning of J Crew and J Crew Factory as premium and affordable fashion providers, respectively, presents a harmonized approach to cater to diverse consumer preferences.

      Reply
  4. The details provided about J Crew and J Crew Factory are very informative. It’s interesting to learn how J Crew offers higher-quality, trendier clothing at a higher price point, while J Crew Factory provides more affordable, discounted items. It’s a strategic move to target different consumer segments.

    Reply
    • I agree, Tony Bell. The information about the history, expansion, and ownership change of J Crew is quite enlightening. It showcases the company’s resilience and adaptability in the ever-changing fashion industry.

      Reply
  5. This article offers a comprehensive overview of J Crew and J Crew Factory, shedding light on their rates, quality, designs, and formation. The detailed insights provide a clear understanding of their unique brand propositions.

    Reply
  6. The in-depth analysis of J Crew and J Crew Factory is commendable. The establishment of J Crew Factory as one of the outlets of J Crew to sell clothes at affordable prices is a smart move to expand the company’s market presence.

    Reply
    • I completely agree, John Hughes. The provision of similar design clothing at a lower price point through J Crew Factory is an attractive proposition for consumers seeking quality fashion at affordable prices.

      Reply
  7. This article provides a thorough comparison of J Crew and J Crew Factory, highlighting their respective contributions to the fashion industry. The historical background and the evolution of the company are particularly insightful.

    Reply
  8. The historical background and evolution of J Crew and J Crew Factory are insightful. The transition from Popular Merchandise to J Crew, as well as the establishment of J Crew Factory as an affordable outlet, reflects the company’s adaptive business strategies.

    Reply
    • I couldn’t agree more, Theo Saunders. The article eloquently captures the strategic evolution of J Crew Company and its various divisions, providing critical insights into the brand’s resilience and adaptability.

      Reply
    • Absolutely, Theo Saunders. The emphasis on affordability and quality in J Crew Factory’s offerings presents a compelling value proposition while complementing the premium positioning of J Crew.

      Reply
  9. The historical journey of J Crew, from its formation to its international expansion, is quite captivating. The emergence of J Crew Factory as an outlet to offer reasonable prices while maintaining design integrity is a noteworthy aspect.

    Reply
    • The article provides an insightful perspective on how J Crew and J Crew Factory have evolved over time, exemplifying their commitment to providing fashion diversity and accessibility.

      Reply
    • I completely agree, Kirsten40. The company’s adaptation to changing consumer demands and market dynamics is evident in its strategic diversification through J Crew Factory and other divisions.

      Reply
  10. The detailed comparison between J Crew and J Crew Factory is enlightening. The strategic approach to offering high-quality and affordable fashion through these distinct brands is a testament to the company’s commitment to consumer diversity.

    Reply
    • Absolutely, Wright Freya. The company’s ability to cater to diverse consumer segments through J Crew and J Crew Factory underscores its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in meeting evolving market demands.

      Reply

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