Building A Global Brand From Crates And Barrels, Gordon Segal - Founder Crate & Barrel

Retail is a brutal industry where even the massive companies, that seem impossible to topple, can crumble. Crate and Barrel has long been a household name in American retail, which shaped how generations of consumers furnish their homes. What started as a small Chicago storefront in the 1960s has grown into a $2B global brand with over 100 locations, a powerful online presence, and sister brands like CB2 and Crate & Kids that continue to redefine the home shopping experience.In this episode of The Reboot Chronicles, we sit down with Gordon Segal, the co-founder of Crate and Barrel. As the Chairman and CEO, Gordon grew Crate & Barrel into a global home furnishings powerhouse, pioneering the accessible modern design movement that rebooted American retail through experiential store layouts, minimalist merchandising, and international sourcing. A pioneer in retail, Gordon helped create an accessible, design-forward brand long before “lifestyle retail” became a thing. Follow along as Gordon reflects on Crate and Barrel’s humble beginnings, keys to scaling a values-driven business, tough leadership transitions and reboots, and how staying true to culture remains a competitive advantage—even in an era of Amazon and Wayfair.