C O N T E N T F R O M A LTA R ’ D S TAT E
PROFILE 2019 | BEST WORKPLACES IN RETAIL
The Fashion
Company Doing
Good Every Day
At retailer Altar’d State, doing good is simply part of
doing good business.
Right: Every Altar’d State boutique creates
a multisensory experience for guests.
Below: The Altar’d State family works to
improve the lives of people in their local
communities who are in need.
WALK INTO ANY ONE OF ALTAR’D STATE’S
more than 100 boutiques in 37 states
and it becomes abundantly clear that
the clothing and accessories retailer is
focused on more than mere profits. While
guests are greeted with racks of modern
merchandise for young women, a variety
of greenery, and even a signature scent,
they also see photographs of associate
volunteer efforts hanging from the walls
that depict team members providing
educational services, school uniforms,
nutritious lunches, and psychological care
for children.
“We are on a mission to inspire, encour-
age, and enlighten our guests as they
journey through our boutiques,” says Aaron
Walters, chairman and CEO of the Maryville,
Tenn., business. “Our goal is that our guest
always feels better when she leaves.”
This welcoming atmosphere extends to
Altar’d State’s digital presence. The com-
pany’s website features videos highlighting
charitable work, articles about mission
trips, and conversations with associates
who donate four volunteer hours a month.
“From day one, before we even knew what
we would sell, we decided that giving
back was the foundation of our company,”
explains Walters.
Indeed, philanthropy is always front and
center. Altar’d State’s Stand Out for Good
program has built schools, community
centers, and chapels in Peru, and it has
a commitment to finish an additional 15
projects over the next five years. Through
its successful Mission Monday program,
Altar’d State gives 10% of all net Monday
proceeds to local charitable organizations
that feed the hungry, help the sick, house
the homeless, rescue pets, or assist ser-
vicemen and -women (the company also
offers a 15% discount to service members).
It’s an effort that makes up about 70% of
Altar’d State’s giving, which equals more
than $12 million to date. Every year, the
retailer’s charitable giving is growing at a
faster clip than sales.
And that’s fine by the team at Altar’d
State, because doing good is also good
for business. “Guests send us emails daily
about how experiences in our boutiques
transformed their moods,” says Walters.
He’s quick to add that Altar’d State’s mis-
sion is bigger—refreshing words from a
fashion executive in a fast-paced industry.
Walters says: “Our goal is to become the
best give-back company in the world.” ■