NAIC 4481120

Women's Clothing Stores

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

76companies1670–1999founding years75still active1no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
1851
TechnologySinger's sewing machine mechanizes garment-making.
1873
EconomyLevi Strauss patents riveted denim work pants.
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1916
EconomyPiggly Wiggly opens the first self-service grocery store.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
EconomyThe first Walmart opens, built on everyday low prices.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Hudson's Bay Company
Active · founded 1670 · Canada
Canada's number one department store retailer, Hudson's Bay Company, is also Canada's oldest corporation.
The North West Company, Inc.
Active · founded 1783 · Canada
The North West Company, Inc., is the leading seller of food and other general merchandise in small towns across the…
C & A
Active · founded 1841 · Belgium
C & A is a paradox.
Next plc
Active · founded 1864 · United Kingdom
Next plc designs, manufactures, and distributes clothing and home furnishing and accessory items to nearly 330 Next…
Maruzen Co., Limited
Active · founded 1869 · Japan
With a ranking among AsiaWeek magazine's top 1000 companies of 1996, Maruzen Co., Limited is one of Japan's largest and…
Spiegel, Inc.
Active · founded 1893
Spiegel, Inc.
Marks and Spencer p.l.c.
Active · founded 1894 · United Kingdom
Marks and Spencer p.l.c.
Vivarte SA
Active · founded 1896 · France
Vivarte SA, formerly Groupe André, is Europe's leading retail footwear group and a major force in the continent's…
Bergdorf Goodman Inc.
Active · founded 1901
Owned by Dallas-based Neiman Marcus Group, Bergdorf Goodman Inc.
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Active · founded 1904
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
Foot Locker, Inc.
Active · founded 1905
Top athletic shoe retailer Foot Locker, Inc., was known until 1998 as the Woolworth Corporation and until 2001 as…
Lane Bryant, Inc.
Active · founded 1914
Lane Bryant, Inc., is the largest plus-size retailer in the United States.
Arcadia Group plc
Active · founded 1917 · United Kingdom
Arcadia Group plc, previously known as Burton Group plc, is the second largest clothing retailer in the United Kingdom,…
Coles Myer Ltd.
Defunct · founded 1921 · Australia
Coles Myer Ltd.
United Merchants & Manufacturers, Inc.
Active · founded 1922
At one time United Merchants & Manufacturers, Inc.
Barney's, Inc.
Active · founded 1923
Barney's, Inc.
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc.
Active · founded 1929
Edison Brothers Stores, Inc., is a leading retailer, specializing in apparel, footwear, and entertainment.
Evans, Inc.
Active · founded 1929
Evans, Inc.
Loehmann's Inc.
Active · founded 1930
Loehmann's Inc.
Deb Shops, Inc.
Active · founded 1932
Deb Shops, Inc.
Gantos, Inc.
Active · founded 1932
Gantos, Inc.
Petrie Stores Corporation
Active · founded 1932
Petrie Stores Corporation, a major retailer of women's apparel, operates stores under a variety of names, including…
Bhs plc
Active · founded 1933 · England
Known for more than 50 years as British Home Stores, Bhs plc ranks among the United Kingdom's largest department store…
Donnkenny, Inc.
Active · founded 1934
Donnkenny, Inc., a holding company, designs, manufactures, imports, and markets a broad line of moderately priced…
Movie Star Inc.
Active · founded 1935
The company incorporated in 1935 as Industrial Undergarment Corp.
Jay Jacobs, Inc.
Active · founded 1941
Jay Jacobs, Inc.
Brioni Roman Style S.p.A.
Active · founded 1945 · Italy
Brioni Roman Style S.p.A.
Cato Corporation
Active · founded 1946
The Cato Corporation owns a chain of approximately 678 women's apparel stores in 22 U.S.
The Talbots, Inc.
Active · founded 1947
The Talbots, Inc.
Harold's Stores, Inc.
Active · founded 1948
Harold's Stores, Inc.
The Buckle, Inc.
Active · founded 1948
Based in the north-central United States, The Buckle, Inc.
Mervyn's California
Active · founded 1949
Mervyn's California, owned by retail giant Target Corporation, operates 267 department stores in 14 states.
Adolfo Dominguez S.A.
Active · founded 1952 · Spain
Adolfo Dominguez S.A.
Paul Harris Stores, Inc.
Active · founded 1952
Paul Harris Stores, Inc.
Klaus Steilmann GmbH & Co. KG
Active · founded 1958 · Germany
Klaus Steilmann GmbH & Co.
Le Chateau Inc.
Active · founded 1959 · Canada
Le Chateau Inc.
The Dress Barn, Inc.
Active · founded 1962
The Dress Barn, Inc.
The Wet Seal, Inc.
Active · founded 1962
A nationwide specialty retailer of moderately priced apparel for women, The Wet Seal, Inc.
Lands' End, Inc.
Active · founded 1963
Lands' End, Inc.
St. John Knits, Inc.
Active · founded 1963
A swiftly rising competitor in the apparel industry, St.
The Limited, Inc.
Active · founded 1963
The Limited, Inc.
AEON Co., Ltd.
Active · founded 1969 · Japan
Formerly known as JUSCO AEON Co., Ltd.
Charming Shoppes, Inc.
Active · founded 1969
Charming Shoppes, Inc., is a leading retailer, specializing in women's apparel.
New Look Group plc
Active · founded 1969 · United Kingdom
The United Kingdom's New Look Group plc is helping people dress smart for cheap.
Crystal Brands, Inc.
Active · founded 1970
Crystal Brands, Inc., manufactures and merchandises sportswear, costume jewelry, and accessories under some of the…
Groupe Alain Manoukian
Active · founded 1973 · France
France's Groupe Alain Manoukian is a leading designer, distributor, and retailer of ready-to-wear fashions, with an…
Monsoon plc
Active · founded 1973 · United Kingdom
Monsoon plc is a leading women's clothing and accessories retailer in the United Kingdom, operating three retail store…
The Clothestime, Inc.
Active · founded 1974
The Clothestime, Inc.
The Men's Wearhouse, Inc.
Active · founded 1974
The Men's Wearhouse, Inc.
Bernard Chaus, Inc.
Active · founded 1975
Bernard Chaus, Inc.
Cache Incorporated
Active · founded 1975
Cache Incorporated is a publicly traded company that owns and operates a highly successful national chain of upscale…
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.
Active · founded 1975
Charlotte Russe Holding, Inc.
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd.
Active · founded 1975
Kasper A.S.L., Ltd., the world's largest women's suit manufacturer, designs, markets, sources, manufactures, and…
Candie's, Inc.
Active · founded 1978
Candie's, Inc., designs and markets a complete line of footwear, apparel, and accessories to young women.
Kiabi Europe
Active · founded 1978 · France
Kiabi Europe is a leading French clothing retailer, operating 110 stores in France as well as 12 stores in Spain and…
Les Boutiques San Francisco, Inc.
Active · founded 1978 · Canada
Les Boutiques San Francisco, Inc.
Guess, Inc.
Active · founded 1981
Once known primarily for its denim jeans, Guess Inc.
Mothers Work, Inc.
Active · founded 1981
Mothers Work, Inc.
La Senza Corporation
Active · founded 1982 · Canada
La Senza Corporation is a major Canadian retailer of women's lingerie and apparel, avoiding the sexy niche carved out…
Chico's FAS, Inc.
Active · founded 1983
Chico's FAS, Inc.
Designer Holdings Ltd.
Active · founded 1984
Designer Holdings Ltd.
Donna Karan International Inc.
Active · founded 1984
Donna Karan International Inc.
One Price Clothing Stores, Inc.
Active · founded 1984
Headquartered in South Carolina, One Price Clothing Stores, Inc., is a retailer of women's and children's clothing and…
The White House, Inc.
Active · founded 1985
The White House came close to completing its IPO in July 2003 when an interested suitor made its proposal.
Eileen Fisher Inc.
Active · founded 1986
Eileen Fisher Inc.
Storehouse PLC
Active · founded 1986 · United Kingdom
With its British Home Stores (Bhs) and Mothercare chains, Storehouse PLC ranks among the United Kingdom's top ten…
Catherines Stores Corporation
Active · founded 1987
Catherines Stores Corporation is a leading specialty retailer of women's large-size clothing and accessories.
The Gitano Group, Inc.
Active · founded 1987
The Gitano Group, Inc., is one of the United States' largest apparel merchandisers.
The J. Jill Group, Inc.
Active · founded 1987
The J.
AnnTaylor Stores Corporation
Active · founded 1988
Through its wholly owned subsidiary, AnnTaylor Inc., AnnTaylor Stores Corporation is a retailer of women's apparel,…
United Retail Group Inc.
Active · founded 1989
With locations in 36 states, United Retail Group Inc.
David's Bridal, Inc.
Active · founded 1990
David's Bridal, Inc.
Viewpoint International, Inc.
Active · founded 1992
Viewpoint International, Inc., a subsidiary of Oxford Industries, Inc., is best known for the Tommy Bahama brand.
Prada Holding B.V.
Active · founded 1996 · The Netherlands
Prada Holding B.V.
Sean John Clothing, Inc.
Active · founded 1998
Owned by Sean "P.
Too, Inc.
Active · founded 1999
Too, Inc.
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