| Often when you think of trendy hip clothing retailers | | | | developing the decision was made to start their own |
| you will think of Gap. The chain that is based in San | | | | private label brands. By 1976 they were ready for their |
| Francisco, California was founded by Donald Fisher | | | | big coming out party as the company was able to go |
| and Doris Fisher in 1969. Today it operates over 3,000 | | | | public on both the New York and Pacific stock |
| stores and employs over 150,000 people all over the | | | | exchanges. Their initial public offering was for 1.2 million |
| world. In addition to its trademark brand it also owns | | | | shares. |
| and operates Banana Republic and Old Navy stores | | | | They have two other trademark brands that operate |
| as well. | | | | their own stores. Banana Republic which was bought |
| When Donald and Doris Fisher opened that first store | | | | in 1983 is an upscale line of clothing but began as a |
| in 1969 they did so in a theatre located on Ocean | | | | catalog merchant featuring safari themed clothes. The |
| Avenue in San Jose, California. Early on it featured | | | | other one Old Navy was launched in 1994 and is |
| Levi's blue jeans, records and tapes. They were | | | | known as a value chain but with a specialty flair. |
| located near San Francisco State University and were | | | | Together the three brands make up Gap Inc. as it is |
| trying to appeal to that younger hip generation. Shortly | | | | known today. |
| after opening though they decided to discontinue selling | | | | Over the years Gap Inc. has had its share of |
| the records and tapes and to concentrate on selling | | | | problems. Everything from bad marketing and lack of |
| clothes. | | | | focus to trademark disputes and labor issues. But they |
| Gap saw a great deal of early success as they were | | | | continue to work through these problems. Just imagine |
| able to hit on what the younger generation wanted to | | | | though the fact that a company with over 3,000 |
| wear at the time. This look consisted of blue jeans and | | | | stores and 150,000 employees began as one store in |
| white cotton t-shirts otherwise known as the "basic | | | | an old theatre near a college. Donald Fisher and Doris |
| look". By 1970 their store was doing a brisk $2 million a | | | | Fisher had an idea and after finding some success |
| year in sales. They soon realized they would have to | | | | with that idea they were not afraid to run with it. |
| expand. And expand they did. By 1973 they had | | | | Regardless of the troubles of recent years they have |
| grown to 25 stores and were able to open their first | | | | left a legacy that will survive well into the future. And |
| of soon to be many east coast locations in Voorhees, | | | | giving others inspiration that they if those two can build |
| New Jersey. | | | | something so great why can't we all. |
| In 1974 realizing the name recognition the brand was | | | | |