COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 448110

Men's Clothing Stores

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

26companies1841–1998founding years26still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedC & AFoundedC & A
1841
FoundedVivarte SA
1896
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
FoundedFoot Locker, Inc.FoundedFoot Locker, Inc.
1905
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedBrioni Roman Style S.p.A.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedAdolfo Dominguez S.A.
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedLe Chateau Inc.FoundedLe Chateau Inc.
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedAEON Co., Ltd.
1969
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
FoundedGroupe Alain ManoukianFoundedGroupe Alain Manoukian
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
FoundedThe Men's Wearhouse, Inc.
1974
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedKiabi Europe
1978
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedGuess, Inc.FoundedGuess, Inc.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedViewpoint International, Inc.
1992
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
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
FoundedSean John Clothing, Inc.
1998
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
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

C & A →
Active · founded 1841 · Belgium
C & A is a paradox.
C & A →
Active · founded 1841 · Belgium
C & A is a paradox.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Brioni Roman Style S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1945 · Italy
Brioni Roman Style S.p.A.
Brioni Roman Style S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1945 · Italy
Brioni Roman Style S.p.A.
Adolfo Dominguez S.A. →
Active · founded 1952 · Spain
Adolfo Dominguez S.A.
Adolfo Dominguez S.A. →
Active · founded 1952 · Spain
Adolfo Dominguez S.A.
Le Chateau Inc. →
Active · founded 1959 · Canada
Le Chateau Inc.
Le Chateau Inc. →
Active · founded 1959 · Canada
Le Chateau Inc.
AEON Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · Japan
Formerly known as JUSCO AEON Co., Ltd.
AEON Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1969 · Japan
Formerly known as JUSCO AEON Co., Ltd.
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…
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…
The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1974
The Men's Wearhouse, Inc.
The Men's Wearhouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1974
The Men's Wearhouse, Inc.
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…
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…
Guess, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Once known primarily for its denim jeans, Guess Inc.
Guess, Inc. →
Active · founded 1981
Once known primarily for its denim jeans, Guess Inc.
Viewpoint International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Viewpoint International, Inc., a subsidiary of Oxford Industries, Inc., is best known for the Tommy Bahama brand.
Viewpoint International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Viewpoint International, Inc., a subsidiary of Oxford Industries, Inc., is best known for the Tommy Bahama brand.
Sean John Clothing, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
Owned by Sean "P.
Sean John Clothing, Inc. →
Active · founded 1998
Owned by Sean "P.
Build It Today

Starting a men's clothing stores company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.