Business Beat: Ocean State Job Lot recognized as a U.S. Best Managed Company

Leading discount retail chain earns “Gold Winner” distinction as a five-time honoree

Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), a leading discount closeout retailer headquartered in Rhode Island with more than 160 stores throughout New England, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland is proud to announce it has been selected as a 2025 US Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private* and The Wall Street Journal, the program recognizes the achievements of U.S. private companies and the successes of their management teams. This is the fifth consecutive year OSJL has been an honoree and has once again received the “Gold Winner” distinction.

Honorees are selected by an external panel of judges who evaluate applicants based on strategy, ability to execute, culture, governance, and financial performance. They join an ecosystem of organizations from more than 44 countries.

“All of our associates can take great pride in receiving this award for the fifth consecutive year,” said Marc Perlman, Co-founder and CEO, Ocean State Job Lot. “Giving back to the communities we live in, offering value to our customers, having a workplace that embraces people with barriers, all while expanding in the marketplace, validates the concept of responsible retail.”

The 2025 designees are U.S. private companies that have demonstrated excellence in strategic planning and execution, a commitment to their people, as well as maintaining financial performance and governance. Designees drove their businesses forward while remaining dedicated to their people and focusing on their customers. Advanced technology, including AI, took a center role for most of these companies, to create efficiencies and enhance the quality of products and experiences. 

About the Best Managed Companies Program

The Best Managed Companies program is a mark of excellence for private companies. U.S. designees have revenues of at least $250 million. Hundreds of private companies around the world have competed for this designation in their respective countries through a rigorous and independent process that evaluates four key criteria in their management skills and practices — strategy, execution, culture and governance/financials. U.S. program sponsors are Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit www.usbestmanagedcompanies.com.  

About Ocean State Job Lot:

Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 163 stores in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, approximately 5,600 associates, and annual sales exceeding $850 million. OSJL Shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand-name, first-quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool, and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The company was named a four-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a five-time US Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a three-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and a Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. *Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.

The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative, and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need. Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in the Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: (401) 295-2672; Website: OceanStateJobLot.com. 

*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of their legal structure.