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Our Culture

Leadership

Fact Sheet

How Our Clothes Are Made

Milestones

Recognition

For Students

FAQ

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	2000s2000s

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. Gap franchise stores open in new countries: Malaysia, Singapore & United Arab Emirates.
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. Gap Inc. issues third social responsibility report Gap franchise stores open in new countries: Bahrain, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Banana Republic franchise stores open in new countries: Bahrain, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Singapore, United Arab Emirates
2008	The first U.K. Banana Republic store opens in London Gap Inc. acquires women�s active wear company, Athleta Gap Inc. opens 100th franchise store. Gap franchise stores open in new countries: Greece, Russia Banana Republic franchise stores open in new countries: Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Turkey Gap Inc. launches new online feature offering customers ability to shop all four brands with one shopping bag, one easy check-out and one shipping fee Gap Inc. expands Outlet business with first Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory stores in Canada
2009	Gap franchise stores open in new countries: Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Romania Gap Inc. issues fourth social responsibility report and for first time in online-only format Piperlime launches apparel on-site Gap Inc. Co-founder, Chairman Emeritus, and Board Member Donald Fisher dies at 81

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.

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.

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.

1969	Founders Doris and Don Fisher open the first Gap store in San Francisco, Calif.