Leslies Poolmart Revenue and Competitors

Leslie's Poolmart is the big fish of pool product retailers. The company sells pool chemicals, cleaning and testing equip ment, covers, and recreational items through about more than 400 stores in more than 35 states, mostly in California, Texas, and the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic. It also sells through catalogs (its mailing list reaches about 90% of the US households with in-ground pools) and its Web site. Leslie's makes chlorine tablets and repackages other chemicals to be sold under the Leslie name. Pool chemicals, major equipment, and parts account for about 80% of sales. Founded in 1963, Leslie's went private in a 1997 management LBO backed by Leonard Green & Partners, which owns nearly 65% of the company.