Gap
Gap Inc. is an American clothing retailer listed on NYSE, headquartered in San Francisco. Operating Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy, it sources primarily from Asia. H&M Group's Arket and COS offer comparable casual European alternatives.
Brand Identity Data
Verified on July 22, 2026
Corporate Lineage
Founded
Donald and Doris Fisher open the first Gap store in San Francisco.
IPO
Gap Inc. completes its initial public offering on the NYSE.
Banana Republic Acquisition
Gap Inc. acquires the Banana Republic brand.
Old Navy Launch
Gap Inc. launches the Old Navy brand to offer value-priced clothing.
European Restructuring
Gap Inc. announces the closure of all company-operated Gap stores in the UK and Ireland.
European Alternatives to Gap
COS
COS (Collection of Style) is a Swedish premium fashion brand owned by H&M Group, headquartered in Stockholm. Known for minimalist, functional design and longer-lasting garments, it is a European alternative to Calvin Klein and Gap.
Compare Gap vs. COSH&M
H&M is a multinational clothing company headquartered in Sweden that operates a global retail network focused on fast-fashion apparel for men, women, and children. The brand manages a vast supply chain primarily located in Asia and Europe to produce garments sold through its extensive online and brick-and-mortar storefronts.
Compare Gap vs. H&MArket
Arket is a Swedish lifestyle brand owned by H&M Group (Hennes & Mauritz AB), headquartered in Stockholm. It focuses on quality, durability, and transparency in sourcing — a more considered EU alternative to Gap and Uniqlo.
Compare Gap vs. ArketVerification Sources
- [1]Gap on Wikidata
- [2]Gap LEI
- [3]Gap website