For over 150 years, Montgomery Ward has been dedicated to serving customers and helping make their lives a little easier. Originally founded in 1872 as a mail order catalog company, Montgomery Ward revolutionized shopping by delivering a vast array of products right to customers’ doors. Over the decades, we’ve continued to evolve with our customers’ needs, transforming into the beloved department store and online retailer we are today.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Montgomery Ward operates department stores and our ecommerce website across the United States. We believe in providing quality merchandise at affordable prices, delivering outstanding customer service, and fostering a rewarding, motivating work environment for our employees.
Our History
Montgomery Ward traces its roots back to 1872, when young traveling salesman Aaron Montgomery Ward envisioned a way to bring products from the city directly to rural customers. He launched the first Montgomery Ward mail order catalog in August 1872, listing 163 items across 24 pages. The catalog was an instant hit, as farm families loved having access to a variety of everyday goods without leaving home.
The company grew quickly, issuing catalogs twice a year with increasing number of pages and variety of products. In the 1880s, the catalog exploded in popularity by selling pianos, organs, firearms, buggies, bicycles and even houses and cars through mail order. Montgomery Ward was the source for almost anything customers could want delivered right to their door.
Richard Sears, one of Montgomery Ward’s early employees, left to form a mail order business of his own in 1888 called Sears, Roebuck and Co. The two brands were fierce competitors for decades. By the early 1900s, Montgomery Ward had become the biggest retailer in the United States.
When Aaron Montgomery Ward retired in 1913, the company continued to flourish under president Theodore Schwinn. Montgomery Ward opened its first physical department store location in 1926 in Plymouth, Indiana. Over the next decades, retail locations expanded across the country in addition to the ever-popular mail order business.
Montgomery Ward enjoyed great success into the 1950s and 1960s by providing value to middle class families. However, the company began struggling with the economic downturn in the 1970s. Competition from discount big-box stores also eroded Montgomery Ward’s market share. The brand ended its storied catalog business in 1985 to focus efforts on retail stores.
In the 2000s, Montgomery Ward initiated major strategic changes to revive the brand. The company focused its efforts on providing quality customer service, partnering directly with manufacturers, and enhancing omnichannel retail integration. Montgomery Ward also revitalized its apparel, hardlines, furniture, and cosmetics product offerings.
Today, Montgomery Ward operates over 500 department stores in 46 states and our flagship online store at montgomery-ward.com. After over 140 years in business, the Montgomery Ward name still stands for providing customers great value, superior service and trusted quality merchandise.
Our Stores
Montgomery Ward operates department stores averaging 80,000 – 120,000 square feet. You’ll find us in shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and freestanding locations across the continental United States. We have a strong presence across the Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic, and Southwest.
Our stores offer customers a wide range of quality, affordable apparel, accessories, furniture, home goods and more across these major departments:
- Men’s, Women’s and Children’s Apparel
- Shoes and Accessories
- Cosmetics and Fragrances
- Lingerie
- Furniture and Mattresses
- Home Goods, Décor and Storage
- Toys and Sporting Goods
- Consumer Electronics
- Tools and Hardware
- Garden Center
- Grocery Essentials
Visit the Store Locator on our website to find a Montgomery Ward near you. Our store hours are generally 10am to 9pm local time Monday through Saturday, and 11am to 7pm on Sundays. Store managers have the discretion to adjust hours based on local circ*mstances.
Montgomery Ward store locations feature wide aisles, clear signage and displays to make shopping a breeze. Friendly, knowledgeable sales associates are available throughout the store to answer questions and assist customers. We pride ourselves on delivering fast, friendly service with a smile.
Many locations also include Ward’s Eateries, our in-store cafes serving fresh meals, snacks and treats. It’s the perfect place to take a break and refuel while shopping. Parents can take advantage of our family rooms to comfortably feed or change babies.
We continually invest in enhancing our stores to improve the overall shopping experience. Recent upgrades include self-checkout kiosks, interactive displays and mobile POS systems to empower sales associates to better serve customers anywhere in the store.
Our Online Store
The Montgomery Ward online store at montgomery-ward.com builds on our 150 years of serving customers. On our website, customers can shop our entire catalog of products, take advantage of web-only sales and deals, and enjoy convenient delivery options.
montgomery-ward.com makes it easy to find exactly what you need with robust search and filtering tools. Shop by department, price range, brands, product options and more. Our category and product pages offer detailed information like sizing charts,materials, care instructions and more.
The website provides a seamless shopping experience across desktop, tablet and mobile devices. Key features include:
- Mobile responsive design that automatically optimizes the site for any screen size
- Intuitive site-wide navigation and “hamburger” menu on mobile
- Product zoom capability and expanded product imagery
- Customer reviews and easy 5-star ratings for all products
- Wish Lists for creating and sharing gift ideas
- Easy checkout with stored payment methods and shipping addresses
- Order tracking with status updates and delivery notifications
- My Account section to view order history, manage Ward’s Credit Card, and modify personal info
- Live chat and email customer service right from the site
The montgomery-ward.com online store also makes in-store services available digitally for customer convenience:
- Buy Online, Pick Up In Store:Order online and pick up at your local Montgomery Ward store.
- Curbside Pickup:Have your online order brought right out to your car at our designated pickup spots.
- Order In Store:Don’t see what you want on the sales floor? Associates can order products right from montgomery-ward.com with free delivery to your home.
- In Store Returns:Return online purchases to any Montgomery Ward store location. Print a prepaid return label or return without a receipt.
- Price Match Guarantee:We’ll match any verified price from a competitor’s website for identical products.
Together, our online store and physical retail locations provide customers with a seamless omnichannel shopping experience.
Our Private Brands
Montgomery Ward offers outstanding quality and value on products through our portfolio of private label brands:
Ward + Field
Ward + Field delivers casual comfort and laidback style for the whole family. It offers apparel essentials from wardrobe basics like tees, jeans and hoodies to loungewear, activewear, swimsuits and more. Ward + Field clothing combines current styles, soft fabrics and great fitting comfort.
Elizabeth James
Elizabeth James features trend-right women’s clothing, shoes and accessories designed for real life. The versatile, affordable collections effortlessly go from work to weekend in chic, flattering styles. Elizabeth James makes it easy to put together head-to-toe looks.
Harris Club
Harris Club provides timeless, high quality menswear staples for both work and play. The brand offers sharp suits, tailored separates, casual shirts, pants, outerwear and accessories in classic and modern fit. Harris Club helps gentlemen build a handsome, functional wardrobe.
Simply Floret
Simply Floret offers femininity and beauty through florals. The brand brings fresh, on-trend floral prints and patterns to apparel, intimates, accessories, home décor and gifts. From loud blooms to quiet wisps, Simply Floret captures flowers’ joyful spirit.
Adeline James
Adeline James delivers heirloom worthy furniture that grows with family life. Designed in-house, the brand incorporates thoughtful features, space-saving versatility and superior materials. Adeline James balances classic charm and modern functionality.
Hudson Street
Hudson Street provides premium bedding and bath essentials for serene home havens. Made from the finest long-staple cottons and hypoallergenic down, Hudson Street makes everyday luxury achievable. The brand’s sheets, towels and bedding ensure the ultimate cozy sleep.
Garden Society
Garden Society has everything needed to grow green spaces and happy plants. It provides quality gardening tools, soils, planters, hoses, outdoor décor, landscaping supplies and more. Garden Society helps cultivate the backyard oasis or windowsill garden.
Simply Solv
Simply Solv offers effective cleaning solutions for busy homes. The plant-based, eco-friendly formulas tackle messes safely on a variety of surfaces. Products range from all-purpose cleaners to bathroom disinfectants, laundry detergent, degreasers and more.
We conduct rigorous testing and inspections to ensure all Montgomery Ward private label products meet our stringent quality and safety standards. Discover how our brands make shopping affordable, easy and rewarding.
Our Services
Montgomery Ward offers various services to enhance the shopping experience, provide exceptional convenience and demonstrate our commitment to customers.
Ward’s Credit Card – The Montgomery Ward credit card helps savvy shoppers save more. Cardholders enjoy benefits like 5% rewards on all purchases, exclusive bonus reward offers, flexible payment plans, and special discounts. Open an account in store or online.
Wish List – Create a Wish List online or in store to easily organize gift ideas for birthdays, holidays and special occasions. Make the list collaborative to allow others to contribute. Purchase items from the list and coordinate giving.
Gift Cards – Give the flexibility of Montgomery Ward Gift Cards, available online or in store in any denomination. Gift Cards never expire and have no fees. Recipients can apply gift cards to both in-store and online purchases.
Layaway – Our layaway program allows customers to put items on hold with a small deposit and flexible pay-over-time option. It makes budgeting for large purchases easier. Layaway is available in store only.
Home Services – We’ll take care of it for you! Our home offerings delivered by Handy include furniture assembly, mounting, handyman services and more. Book services along with a product purchase or independently. Available in select markets.
Trade In & Recycling – Bring in gently used electronic items like smartphones, tablets, game consoles and more to trade in for cash or store credit. We also responsibly recycle a variety of used consumer goods through our partnerships. Available in most stores.
Product Protection Plans – Get extensive coverage beyond the manufacturer’s warranty with our Product Protection Plans on electronics, appliances, furniture, mattresses, jewelry and more. Add a plan during your purchase for peace of mind.
Personal Shoppers – Struggling to find that perfect gift or outfit? Our expert personal shoppers provide complimentary styling and wardrobing services in store to save you time and take the stress out of shopping. Book an appointment online.
Alterations – Get tailored fit on all your apparel purchases with our professional in-house alterations teams. Services include hemming, slimming, repair and more. Alterations available at every Montgomery Ward store location.
Special Order Kiosks – Don’t see what you want on the sales floor? Use our Special Order Kiosks to access expanded product selection and customization options. Associates will place the order for free home delivery.
Montgomery Ward is always looking for new ways to make shopping, gifting, styling, decorating and more fun and frictionless. Let us know how we can further create joy and convenience for you!
Our Company Values
Montgomery Ward is committed to enriching customers’ lives through affordable quality and superior service. We bring this mission to life through our core company values:
We are customer advocates – Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. We earn their loyalty through caring service, expertise and going the extra mile.
We embrace honesty & transparency – We build trust by operating ethically, responsibly and openly at all levels of the organization.
We deliver excellence – We are passionate about providing merchandise and experiences that exceed expectations. We drive excellence by being accountable, solution-oriented and proactive.
We honor our legacy – We respect our rich history and tradition as we continue to reinvent ourselves. We balance innovation with our heritage.
We support our communities – We believe in giving back and making a positive local impact. We volunteer our time, donate our resources and partner with community organizations.
We value our associates – We support associates’ wellbeing, diversity, professional growth and work-life balance. We promote collaborative, respectful teamwork.
We preserve our environment – We manage operations sustainably through recycling, efficiency, reducing waste and partnering with eco-friendly vendors.
Our values inform everything from our merchandise assortment and customer service approach to our community outreach and environmental practices. They define who Montgomery Ward is.
Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability
Montgomery Ward believes in operating ethically, giving back and reducing environmental impact. Some highlights of our corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives:
- Donated over $5 million each of past 3 years to national and local charitable causes
- Ranked in America’s Top 100 Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises for commitments to supplier diversity
- Developed goal to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040
- Operate over 50 LEED Certified green retail locations
- Eliminated single-use plastic shopping bags from all stores
- Provide paid volunteer time off for employees to support communities
- Implemented comprehensive ethical sourcing program that traces supply chains, audits factories and promotes transparency
- Developed partnerships to recycle over 150 million pounds of operational materials like cardboard annually
- Completed transition to energy efficient LED lighting across stores to reduce electricity usage
- Initiated Food Recovery program that donated over 3 million pounds of food from store locations to national hunger relief partners
- Launched Education Assistance Program providing employees up to $5,250 annually in tuition reimbursem*nt
We continuously challenge ourselves to identify new ways to strengthen communities, diversity our suppliers, and reduce waste. Visit our Corporate Responsibility site for more information on our programs and partnerships.
Our Leaders
Montgomery Ward is governed by a board of directors led by Chairman and CEO Jonathan Ward. The executive leadership team includes:
Jonathan Ward, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Jonathan became the third Ward family member to lead the company when he was appointed CEO in 2016. His grandfather served as Chairman in the 1980s. He’s been described as having retail in his blood, growing up working in Ward stores during the summers. Prior to becoming CEO, Jonathan gained experience across store operations, ecommerce, marketing and corporate strategy. He holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
Sarah Klein, President and Chief Operating Officer
Sarah joined Montgomery Ward in 2010 through the company’s emerging leaders rotational program. She quickly progressed through expanding leadership roles in merchandising, store ops, supply chain, marketing and online. Known for her analytical rigor and customer focus, Sarah was integral in the 2015 brand turnaround. She became President and COO in 2020 overseeing all business functions.
Michael Suarez, Chief Financial Officer
Michael brings over two decades of retail finance experience to his role overseeing Accounting, Finance and Strategy. He previously served as CFO for a major footwear and accessories brand. Michael is recognized for establishing robust internal controls and orchestrating a major ERP implementation there. A CPA, he holds an MBA from Cornell University.
Evelyn Chen, Chief Merchandising Officer
Evelyn leads the Merchandising organization encompassing Planning, Private Brands, Global Sourcing and Product Development. She has been essential in evolving Montgomery Ward’s product strategy over 15 years with the company. Evelyn is considered a visionary merchant with deep partner relations and global supply chain expertise. She previously worked in apparel sourcing for an outdoor recreation brand.
Dean Markovic, Chief Marketing Officer
Dean sets the strategic direction for Marketing including overseeing Brand Management, Advertising, Customer Insights, and Loyalty Marketing. He’s an experienced retail marketer known for delivering creative brand campaigns and cutting edge personalization initiatives. Dean joined Montgomery Ward in 2019 from a direct-to-consumer clothing brand where he served as Vice President of Marketing.
Tricia Jones, Chief Digital Officer
Tricia heads up montgomeryward.com, Mobile Apps, Business Intelligence, and Information Technology. She’s been recognized as a Fortune top 10 Breakthrough Woman in Technology for her work defining the digital vision and omni-channel advancements at Wards. Tricia has a Computer Science degree from MIT and over 15 years leading progressive technology programs.
Roger Smith, Chief Stores Officer
Roger manages all Store Operations, Visual Merchandising, Real Estate, Construction, Facilities and Loss Prevention. He began his 30+ year Ward career as a part time sales associate while completing his business degree. Roger is passionate about delivering experiences that exceed customer expectations. He’s known for his motivational, caring leadership style.
Montgomery Ward is fortunate to have experienced, forward-thinking leaders guiding the future of our company. Customers can feel confident we have the expertise, strategic vision and capabilities to provide quality goods and exceptional service for years to come.
Join Our Team
Montgomery Ward employs over 60,000 associates nationwide. We pride ourselves on providing fulfilling jobs and progressing talent from within. Open positions span opportunities in stores, distribution facilities, corporate offices and more. Areas of focus include:
- Retail Store Management
- Cashiers and Sales Associates
- Department Supervisors
- Visual Merchandisers
- Online Order Fulfillment
- Distribution Center Associates
- Driver Transportation Roles
- Corporate Positions in Merchandising, Marketing, Finance, Real Estate, HR and IT
- Many more
We offer competitive pay, benefits packages for full-time employees, flexible work arrangements, generous employee discounts and many paths for advancement. Montgomery Ward is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.
Our dedicated Training & Development team supports associates at all levels with training, skills building and career planning. We invest extensively in people to set them up for success. Associates can take GED courses, English language lessons, college classes and professional development workshops.
Montgomery Ward also promotes community and connections. We organize volunteer activities, diversity networks, holiday parties and
