The Gap Inc. · San Francisco, CA United States ·(NYSE: GPS)

The ubiquitous clothing retailer Gap has been filling closets with jeans and khakis, T-shirts, and poplin since the Woodstock era. The firm, which operates about 3,150 stores worldwide, built its iconic casual brand on basics for men, women, and children, but over the years has expanded through the urban chic chain Banana Republic and ailing budgeteer Old Navy, launched in 1994. Other brand extensions include GapBody, GapKids, and babyGap; each also has its own online incarnation. All Gap clothing is private-label merchandise made exclusively for the company. From the design board to store displays, Gap controls all aspects of its trademark casual look. Gap was founded by Doris and the late Don Fisher in 1969. To read the full description, subscribe now.