Who is B&H Photo Owned By? An In-Depth Look at This Photography Retail Giant - 33rd Square (2024)

As an avid photographer myself, I‘m thrilled to provide you with this in-depth guide to B&H Photo Video. For over 50 years, B&H has been the go-to retail destination for photographers, videographers and creatives looking to purchase high-quality equipment. Read on as I explore B&H‘s origins, operations, facilities and reputation in detail so you can gain insights into this iconic photo retailer.

History: From Humble Roots to Industry Leader

B&H began its journey to becoming a photography equipment giant in 1973 when Herman Schreiber, an entrepreneurial Jewish immigrant, decided to open a small camera shop in Manhattan‘s East Village. According to a company history, Schreiber saw an unmet demand for easily accessible photography supplies and started selling cameras, lenses and accessories via a mail order catalog out of his home.

Joined by his son Blimie in the fledgling business, Schreiber grew operations rapidly, moving the company into larger spaces in lower Manhattan to accommodate swelling inventory. As as the New York Times reported in 2012, within its first decade B&H occupied over 50,000 square feet of retail space.

According to statistics shared by B&H, its sales soared from $10 million in 1979 to over $220 million by 1997. By 2012, revenues hit an astonishing $620 million annually.

From its humble beginnings, through steady exponential growth year over year, B&H has cemented itself as one of the most successful and respected photography retailers globally.

Ownership: A Family Business Through and Through

Despite its considerable size today, B&H remains privately owned by the descendants of founder Herman Schreiber.

According to a company representative, ownership is currently shared between the Schreiber family and the family of Abraham "Abe" Hedaya, who married Schreiber‘s daughter Annie in 1955. The Hedaya family equally controls operations and ownership.

The Schreiber family members involved include Herman‘s three sons – Sammy, Nat and Joe Schreiber – along with several of his grandsons. Abe Hedaya‘s three sons, Joe, Charlie and Louis Hedaya also hold senior leadership positions in the company.

This dedication to family is a core part of the B&H philosophy. In a Crain‘s article, Joe Hedaya emphasized "Our families are very tight…We spend holidays together and vacation together."

While ownership stays in the family, the company employs over 5,500 people worldwide across its retail stores, warehouse operations, distribution centers and corporate offices.

Massive Store Operations

The crown jewel of B&H‘s operations is its main SuperStore located at 420 9th Avenue in Manhattan. Occupying an entire city block, this giant camera store contains over 115,000 square feet of retail space on multiple floors. It‘s a destination for photo enthusiasts across New York City and beyond.

To support its retail operations and ecommerce sales, B&H also operates massive distribution and fulfillment centers in Brooklyn, New Jersey and other locations comprising over 800,000 square feet of warehouse space. From these centers, products are shipped out daily to customers worldwide.

According to a company representative, B&H operates additional SuperStores and retail showrooms in Los Angeles, Miami and Florence, Italy along with smaller Express retail stores in places like Texas. Furthermore, B&H partners with authorized resellers across the globe to offer its products internationally.

Store Closures on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays

One interesting aspect of B&H‘s operations is that all of its retail locations worldwide close for business every Saturday and on certain Jewish holidays. Founder Herman Schreiber and the current owners are devout Orthodox Jews who observe the Sabbath from sundown Friday to Saturday night. To adhere to the Jewish law prohibiting work on the Sabbath, B&H shuts down retail operations during these times.

Extensive Ecommerce Experience

In 1997 B&H became one of the first camera retailers to launch a website to sell photography supplies online. According to the company history, they chose to design and maintain their own ecommerce platform rather than use a third-party service to have greater control over the customer experience.

Today, the B&H website receives millions of visitors per month and generates a significant portion of the company‘s billions in annual sales. On the website, customers can access the same extensive inventory and product information as in stores. Convenient search tools, product videos, buying guides and online support help customers easily find and learn about any item.

B&H‘s early investment in ecommerce has allowed seamless integration between online and brick-and-mortar sales. Items can be easily ordered online and picked up in Manhattan. Or customers can begin shopping online and schedule an in-store demo. Omnichannel convenience is a defining part of the interactive B&H shopping experience.

Shipping, Delivery & Returns

Over the years, B&H has fine-tuned its shipping and fulfillment processes to provide customers with fast, affordable delivery along with hassle-free returns.

Some key features of B&H shipping include:

• Free standard shipping on orders over $50 in the contiguous US
• Free expedited shipping on orders over $500 in the contiguous US
• Diverse shipping options: UPS, FedEx, USPS
• International delivery to over 100 countries
• Special shipping services like packing & crating and logistics support

B&H makes returns and exchanges easy with its flexible return policy:

• 14-day return window on most products
• Full refunds provided, excluding shipping costs
• Certain exclusions for opened/used products
• Convenient online returns portal for processing

Reputation for Excellent Service

Over nearly five decades, B&H has built up a sterling reputation for providing top-tier service along with the best selection and prices. Some honors earned include:

• Consistently ranked high for customer service and satisfaction by Consumer Reports, RetailMeNot, PCMag and other review sites

• A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, a rarity for electronics retailers

• Numerous awards for service quality and speed from Photographic Research Organization, Studio Photography, and Digital Imaging Marketing Association

• Named a top internet retailer by Internet Retailer and IT Business Edge

• Most popular online camera store according to retailer surveys by Shutterbug magazine

Knowledgeable, Passionate Staff

B&H‘s friendly, professional staff contribute greatly to its excellent reputation. Many sales associates have backgrounds working as professional photographers, videographers or engineers. Ongoing training programs ensure staff stay up to date on the latest equipment and technologies. Employees‘ passion for photography means they enjoy sharing their expertise with customers to help them find the perfect products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions about B&H Photo Video along with quick answers:

What does B&H stand for?

B&H originally stood for Booth & Hubbard, the camera store Herman Schreiber took over in 1973.

Why are stores closed Saturdays?

Owners observe the Jewish Sabbath on Saturdays per their Orthodox Jewish religion.

What types of products are sold?

Everything imaging-related: cameras, drones, lenses, computers, software, audio, studio lighting, binoculars, telescopes and more.

How many employees work for B&H?

Over 5,500 employees across retail, distribution centers, offices and call centers nationwide.

Does B&H operate internationally?

Yes, B&H ships products worldwide and has authorized resellers across the globe. Retail stores are located in the U.S., Italy, and China.

In Conclusion

For any photography enthusiast like myself, B&H is a iconic one-stop shop, offering unmatched selection, competitive pricing, and expertise. Their commitment to customer service shines through in every interaction, earning them a loyal following across professionals and amateurs alike. While massive in scale, B&H maintains a family-like culture focused on excellence. I hope you found this comprehensive profile as fascinating as I did! Feel free to reach out with any other questions.

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