Abt Electronics Fact Sheet

Abt History

April 2024

• Abt is based in Glenview, Ill. (1200 N. Milwaukee Ave.)
• The store is one of the nation’s leading independent electronics and appliance retailers
• It's proud to be the largest single-store retailer of electronics, appliances and home goods in the country
• A majority of Abt's business is from repeat customers or referrals
• We attribute Abt's success to industry-leading, award-winning customer service and an unmatched shopping experience – both in-store and our e-commerce site Abt.com
• Founder David Abt launched the family business with an $800 loan from his wife Jewel in 1936 as a Chicago-based radio store. The small storefront in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood had only three employees
• Abt is a third-generation family-owned and operated business
• The business is currently run by brothers Mike, Ricky, Jon, and Billy Abt, who share the title of co-president. They're the grandchildren of founders Dave and Jewel Abt and sons of former CEO, Bob Abt
• Abt has won dozens of awards, including the Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award (1997, 1998, 2016, 2017, 2020), Consumer Reports #1 Appliance Dealer for 13 years in a row, one of Chicago Tribune’s Top Workplaces for 13 years in a row (2010-2023) taking the #1 spot in the Large Business Category 3 times (2016, 2012, & 2011), and TWICE magazine’s Excellence in Retailing Award (2001, 2006, 2011) among many others

Abt Store

• Abt offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience in an impressive 114,000 square-foot showroom situated on 70 acres
• The entire complex includes a state-of-the art warehouse, totaling over 600,000 square feet after an expansion in 2022
• Abt's layout includes unique stores-within-a-store concept, essentially a mini-mall of boutiques such as Apple, Tumi, Time Watch Store, Abt Candy Store, and more
• Abt offers many unique features including its famous Las Vegas-inspired atrium with a dancing fountain that features hourly light and water shows synchronized to music. Another water feature is the 7,500-gallon saltwater aquarium with schools of exotic fish, a moray eel, a small shark, and colorful coral reefs. Don't miss the one-of-a-kind Samsung TV Windmill
• Product categories include appliances/custom kitchens, gourmet cooking, home comfort (HVAC, power generators and sump pumps), TV and A/V, computers, watches, fitness, sunglasses, luggage, garage doors and home goods
• One of Abt’s most stylish additions is the Inspiration Studio. This space combines the brand's luxe product expertise with visionary designs by renowned kitchen designer, Mick de Giulio. This 10,000-square-foot one-of-a-kind showroom features unique kitchen builds each based on a suite of kitchen appliances from a respected brand
• Abt is known for its weekend treats and provides free, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies for its customers every Saturday and Sunday afternoon

Unmatched Customer Service

• Abt is known for its award-winning customer service. Here, the staff services customers before, during, and after the purchase with a team of 1,700+ expertly trained staff who guide shoppers on what products best match their needs
• Customer support is available through Abt Electronics’ toll-free line at 800-860-3577, online live chat and email seven days a week

Pioneering E-commerce Website | Abt.com

• One of the first major retailers to offer its products online when it launched in 1997
• Selected as one of a few authorized retailers for brands such as Sony, Panasonic, Bose, Onkyo and more when launched
• Offers free nationwide shipping on thousands of products to the continental United States

Commitment to Ongoing Customer Support

• Offers a no-hassle return policy
• Provides all customers with free technical support seven days a week on any product that’s purchased in-store or online
• Repairs all brands it carries at its authorized Service Shop, one of only a handful of retailers to do so so

Abt Electronics Green Initiatives

• Features an on-site 30,000-square-foot recycling center where customers can safely dispose of electronic waste
• New 30,000 sq. ft. recycling center takes in over 14,000 tons of waste per year including 95% of the company’s own waste
• Has recycled over 13 million pounds of electronics and appliances
• Once daily garbage pick-up has been reduced to one time per week
• Energy-saving solar panels help power Abt Electronics, reducing its carbon footprint
• Rooftop Solar Array consists of 3,700 340-watt solar panels which produce enough electricity to run 350 homes for a year
• Rainwater harvesting system features a 10,000-gallon barrel that collects renewable rainwater for the irrigation system
• Offers electric vehicle charging stations
• Abt’s fleet of delivery and service vehicles makes over 9,000 calls per week. All of the used oil, oil filters, coolant, and batteries from the trucks get recycled

Abt Electronics was founded in 1936 when Jewel Abt loaned her husband Dave $800 to open a small electronics store in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago. Abt has grown to become the largest independent, single-store retailer of electronics, appliances and home goods in the country. This third-generation family-run business (now run by Dave and Jewel’s four grandchildren, Mike, Ricky, Jon and Billy, who share the title of co-president) is known for its award-winning customer service from its team of more than 1,700+ expert staff members. Its Glenview, Ill.-based location boasts a 114,000-square-foot showroom on 37 acres. The entire facility, including its continually expanding state-of-the-art warehouse, totals over 450,000 square feet. The company has been recognized by the Chicago Tribune as one of the Top Large Workplaces in Chicago for 13 consecutive years, taking the No. 1 position in 2016, 2012 and 2011. Abt has become an influencer on a national scale thanks to its thriving national e-commerce website where customers can shop online, and receive advice and customer support through the site's live chat feature, email and toll-free phone number. Abt is known for being an eco-friendly business and has an award-winning green program that includes bio-diesel trucks, LED lights, a rooftop solar array, an irrigation system that uses renewable rainwater, and a generator that provides electricity for nine hours of the day. Abt also has an on-premises 30,000-square-foot recycling center that takes in over 8,500 tons of waste per year including 95 percent of the company’s own waste. In the center of the showroom is a beautiful atrium where customers gain access to its many boutique stores-within-a-store such as an Apple Store and a Connect Computer Store. For more information, visit www.Abt.com.

David Viggiano, Mekky Media Relations
[email protected]
773-580-9721