Milestones

In 1969, Doris and Don Fisher opened the first Gap store in San Francisco with the goal of creating a store experience that was easy for the customer and offered a wide selection of fits and styles.

The same passion and entrepreneurial spirit that our company was founded on more than 35 years ago continues to drive our ongoing growth.

Highlights of Our Evolution

The BeginningThe Beginning 1970s1970s 1980s1980s 1990s1990s 2000s
2000s: A Decade's Highlights
2000

Oldnavy.com launches.

Gap launches its Gap Maternity collection on gap.com.

2001

Old Navy makes its debut outside the United States, opening 12 stores in Canada.

Banana Republic launches petite sizes online.

2002

Paul Pressler is named Gap Inc. President and CEO. Millard Drexler retires after 19 years of service.

2003

Gap Inc. Founder Don Fisher announces decision to step down as Chairman of the Board.

2004

Bob Fisher is named Gap Inc. Chairman of the Board.

Gap Inc. issues its first Social Responsibility Report.

2005

Gap Inc. relaunches gap.com, BananaRepublic.com and oldnavy.com.

The first Banana Republic stores in Japan open in Tokyo and Yokohama.

Gapinc.com is honored with a WebAward by the Web Marketing Association.

2006

Gap Inc. launches its first online-only brand, Piperlime.

Gap Inc. expands its global presence with the first Gap and Banana Republic franchise store locations in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

2007

Paul Pressler steps down and Bob Fisher assumes the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer.

Glenn Murphy joins the company as Board of Directors Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Gap franchise stores open in new countries: United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Indonesia, Kuwait, Qatar, Korea, Oman, Turkey, Philippines, Riyadh and Saudi Arabia.

The first Banana Republic franchise store opens in Bahrain, followed by stores in Indonesia, Kuwait, UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Oman.

1990s: A Decade's Highlights
1990

The babyGap line is born, debuting in the GapKids store in San Francisco, Calif.

1992

Gap becomes the second-largest selling apparel brand in the world.

1993

Gap enters France with a "store" within the Galeries Lafayette department store in Paris.

1994

Old Navy opens its first store in Colma, Calif.

Gap Outlet stores open their doors as part of the new Gap Factory Outlet division.

1995

Millard Drexler is named President and CEO of Gap Inc., succeeding founder and Chairman Donald Fisher.

The first Banana Republic store outside the U.S. opens in Canada.

1996

Gap opens its 20,000 square foot flagship store in the Shibuya shopping district in Tokyo.

1997

Old Navy sets a retail record, reaching $1 billion in annual sales in less than four years of operation.

Gap opens its Online Store at gap.com.

Gap Inc. is named "Marketer of the Year" by Advertising Age Magazine.

1998

Gap opens its first store in Alaska, now operating in all 50 states.

Banana Republic surpasses the $1 billion mark in annual sales.

Gap Inc. launches its formal ethics code, the Code of Business Conduct.

1999

BananaRepublic.com launches.

1980s: A Decade's Highlights
1983

Millard ("Mickey") Drexler joins the company as President and COO of the Gap division.

Gap Inc. acquires Banana Republic — then a two-store safari and travel clothing company.

1986

The first GapKids store opens in San Mateo, Calif.

1987

The first Gap store outside the United States opens in London, England, on George Street.

Gap Inc. annual sales reach $1 billion.

1988

Gap introduces its award-winning "Individuals of Style" advertising campaign.

1989

The first Gap store in Canada opens in Vancouver, British Columbia.

1970s: A Decade's Highlights
1970

Sales reach $2 million. Gap's second store opens in San Jose, Calif.

1974

Gap's "Fall into the Gap" advertising campaign debuts.

1976

Gap goes public, offering 1.2 million shares of stock on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges.

1977

Gap Foundation — Gap Inc.'s nonprofit charitable arm — is established.

The Beginning
1969

Founders Doris and Don Fisher open the first Gap store in San Francisco, Calif.