Burlington, NJ – The New Jersey Retail Merchants Association (NJRMA) named Burlington Coat Factory 2005 Retailer of the Year. Burlington Coat Factory Vice Presidents Stephen Milstein and Brad Friedman represented the company at the NJRMA Annual Awards Ceremony, held November 9, 2005 in Lawrenceville, NJ.

"Burlington Coat Factory was founded in 1972 with a single store in Burlington, New Jersey and we have been proud to call it our home state ever since. The NJRMA has been crucial in advocating for our interests as a retailer. It is an outstanding organization helping retailers flourish, which in turns drives the local economy and creates jobs for New Jersey residents," notes Stephen Milstein, Executive Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for Burlington Coat Factory. "Receiving this award is an honor, especially considering our impressive company in the industry."

The NJRMA, formed in 1967, is a statewide business association working to improve the business climate for the retail industry in New Jersey. NJRMA represents the interests of merchants before the State Legislature and serves as the critical link between retailers and state government. More than 3500 stores of all size across the state comprise the NJRMA, including apparel, furniture and home improvement merchants, chain restaurants and drug stores.

Burlington Coat Factory is a national retailer offering clothing, footwear, and accessories for the entire family, a specialty baby product department, Baby Depot, and Luxury Linens, a home décor department. The company and its subsidiaries own and operate more than 360 stores, nationwide. Burlington Coat Factory, founded and incorporated in 1972, has been publicly traded since 1983, and is presently traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "BCF." Burlington Coat Factory can be found online a www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com.