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The Gap

In: Business and Management

Submitted By jmp602
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History Every retail business has its beginning, every business has a bit of history that encouraged certain individuals to push forth and build something not only for them, but something that the whole world could use and be inspired by. Gap Inc. is definitely a retail business that has a past story that has inspired costumers and anyone wanting to take a step into the world of retail business. Don and Doris Fisher created the Gap in order to cater to their needs, but in the process helped thousands of customers find what they needed when it came to certain merchandise. The year 1969 was a year to remember in the business of retail. Located in San Francisco, California, Donald G. Fisher and wife Doris Fisher opened the very first Gap. Don Fisher initially had no real experience in the business of retail seeing as he made his living from real estate, but when Mr. Fisher could not find the right pair of Levis jeans to fit what he wanted, he decided to take matters into his own hands. He decided to open up his own retail store that would have everything that a customer could dream of having. In order to get his start Mr. Fisher had to identify the type of clothing and the age group that he would appeal to. Considering the time period and his original dilemma with finding the right pair of jeans he found his niche. During this time jeans had become the trend among teens, and even though he wasn’t a part of this generation he felt that he could be more successful in selling to this specific generation. Hence, the name the Gap was given to the retail store that he established. Jeans had become the type of clothing that Don Fisher sold in his store among other items. It wasn’t long before he opened up several more locations in California that all held an inviting atmosphere to the customers. Two years later Don and Doris made the company a public corporation and then before you know it they had grown in location in twenty-one states.
Throughout the years the Gap has continued to grow, adding not only specific items for adults at the Gap, but also having items for kids and babies by establishing Gap Kids and Baby Gap. Which then lead them to eventually owning and establishing Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta, and Piperlime. Today Gap owns about 3,200 stores across the world, and has become certainly more successful seeing as it has expanded overseas in locations such as China, London, France and several other countries. This chain organization will more than likely continue to progress in the future. In hopes to continue to inspire the many that want to have great success in the business of retail.

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