Belk, Inc. (stylized as
belk) is an American mid-range to upscale
department store chain founded in 1888 by William Henry Belk in
Monroe, North Carolina. It is a large family owned and operated department store company, with 299 locations in 16 states. The company is in the third generation of Belk family leadership. Belk stores and Belk.com offer national brands and private label fashion apparel, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, a wedding registry and home furnishings. Belk competes with department stores
JCPenney,
Kohl's and
Sears. Its flagship locations are larger and sell higher end, more specialty brands of merchandise and compete with higher end retailers, such as
Dillard's,
Macy's and
Von Maur.