Donald Fisher, who along with his wife Doris started Gap Inc.
with a single denim store in San Francisco in 1969, has passed away at the
age of 81.
Glenn Murphy, CEO and chairman of the board of Gap Inc., said in a press release, "Don and Doris took a simple idea and turned it into a brand recognized as a cultural icon throughout the world and changed the face of retail forever."
Among Mr. Fisher's best moves in running the business was his decision to hire Millard (Mickey) Drexler as the company's president in 1983. Mr. Drexler, current chief at J. Crew, took the company from primarily selling Levis jeans to creating its own branded casual fashions.
"They were one of the first to treat basics as fashion," Cynthia Cohen, president of Strategic Mindshare, told the San Francisco Chronicle. "Gap was the first to realize that everybody needs a good pair of khakis, everyone needs jeans and a good quality white T-shirt."
Sandy Kennedy, president of the Retail Industry Leaders Association, said in a press release, "Donald Fisher was a brilliant and generous force, blending a tremendous passion for his work and a fierce commitment to humanity... He will be deeply missed and his countless achievements never forgotten."Mr. Fisher stepped down as CEO of the Gap Inc. in 1995 and as chairman in 2004. He continued to serve as Chairman Emeritus up until his death.
Discussion Questions: What do you see as Donald Fisher's contributions to the retail industry? What are your thoughts on the past and future of the company he founded?
- RILA President Comments on Passing of Gap Founder Donald
G. Fisher - Retail Industry Leaders Association
- Gap co-founder Donald Fisher dead at 81 - Reuters
- Donald Fisher, Gap co-founder, dies - San Francisco Chronicle
- Don Fisher, Co-Founder, Chairman Emeritus and Board Member of Gap Inc., Dies at 81 - Gap Inc.