Banana Republic: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Cleaned up image placement (to prevent the overrunning of the appendices in wide browser windows) and other matters.
No edit summary
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 20 users not shown)
Line 19: Line 19:
}}
}}


'''Banana Republic''' is an upscale clothing and accessories retailer owned by the American [[multinational corporation]] [[Gap Inc.]]
'''Banana Republic''' is an American upscale clothing and accessories retailer owned by [[Gap Inc.|The Gap]]. It was founded in 1978 by [[Mel Ziegler|Mel and Patricia Ziegler]], who originally called the company "Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company". In 1983, [[Gap Inc.|Gap]] purchased the company, changed the name to "Banana Republic," and rebranded the stores to achieve a more upscale image.<ref name="Repositioning">{{cite news
| last= Moin

| first= David
It was founded in 1978 by [[Mel Ziegler|Mel and Patricia Ziegler]], who originally called the company "Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company". The original concept for the company was to sell items that complement a safari and travel lifestyle. The couple worked for the San Francisco Chronicle, Mel being a reporter and Particia being an illustrator. They lived in an apartment on [[Russian Hill, San Francisco|Russian Hill]].
| url= https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/a-repositioning-banana-republic-adds-to-the-mix-1235091083/

| title= A Repositioning Banana Republic Adds to the Mix
In 1978, they quit their jobs, moved to [[Tamalpais Valley]]. They wanted to start a business for income. But first, Mel received a magazine assignment to explore Australia for a few weeks with other journalists. In 1983, Gap purchased the company, changed the name to "Banana Republic," and rebranded the stores to achieve a more upscale image.<ref name="msnbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24205563 |title=Major retailers launch upscale collections - Business - Retail &#124; NBC News |work=NBC News |date=2008-04-20 |access-date=2013-03-03}}</ref>
| publisher= [[Women's Wear Daily]]
| date= February 24, 2022
| accessdate=
}}</ref><ref name="msnbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/id/24205563 |title=Major retailers launch upscale collections - Business - Retail &#124; NBC News |work=NBC News |date=2008-04-20 |access-date=2013-03-03}}</ref> In the 2020s, VP of design Nicole Wiesmann has re-envisioned the brand with ad editorial campaigns that evoke luxury brands like [[Loro Piana]] with higher-end garments that have been compared favorably with [[Ralph Lauren]], [[The Row (fashion label)|The Row]], and [[Burberry]].<ref name="TYLER MCCALL">{{cite web
| url= https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2022/12/11225853/banana-republic-clothes-review-2022
| title= Banana Republic Is In Its Viral Era — What's Contributing To Its Success
| last= McCall
| first= Tyler
| publisher= [[Refinery29]]
| date= December 13, 2022
| accessdate =
}}</ref><ref>[https://www.businessoffashion.com/podcasts/retail/the-debrief-inside-banana-republics-bid-to-regain-relevance/ Inside Banana Republic's Bid to Regain Relevance] LAUREN SHERMAN and CATHALEEN CHEN, ''Business of Fashion'', 21 September 2022</ref><ref name="Bright Spot">{{cite news
| last= CHEN
| first= CATHALEEN
| url= https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/retail/banana-republic-transformation-gap-inc/
| title= How Banana Republic Became a Bright Spot in Gap Inc.'s Portfolio
| publisher= Business of Fashion
| date= 7 September 2022
| accessdate=
}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Spring1988 BR Catalog.jpg|thumb|upright|Banana Republic Travel Clothing Catalog No. 35, Spring 1988]]
[[File:Spring1988 BR Catalog.jpg|thumb|upright|Banana Republic Travel Clothing Catalog No. 35, Spring 1988]]


The original Banana Republic was founded by [[Mel Ziegler|Mel]] and [[Patricia Ziegler]] in 1978.<ref>Klara, Robert [http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/banana-republic-was-mainstream-fashion-it-was-weirdly-wonderful-safari-brand-170059 Before Banana Republic Was Mainstream Fashion, It Was a Weirdly Wonderful Safari Brand: Revisiting the pith helmets, Jeeps and life-size giraffes] ''AdWeek''. March 17, 2016</ref> The couple was known for acquiring interesting clothing items that their travel-related jobs brought them in contact with.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Paul|title="Visiting the Banana Republic," in Universal Abandon: The Politics of Postmodernism|publisher=University of Minnesota Press|year=1988|isbn=0816616809|location=Minneapolis, MN}}</ref> They eventually opened a store in the [[Mill Valley, California|Mill Valley]] area of Northern California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lancercreative.com/2013/05/banana-republic-a-look-back/|title=Banana Republic: A Look Back - Lancer Creative Services|website=Lancercreative.com|access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref> They were known for a hand-drawn catalogue of items with traveler/explorer stories printed alongside, and their safari-themed retail locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scottcadams.com/bananarepublic/the-adventure-begins/|title=The Adventure Begins....|date=10 May 2011|website=Scottcadams.com|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406094915/http://scottcadams.com/bananarepublic/the-adventure-begins/|archive-date=6 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://discoveries.vdaproductions.com/articles/29724/banana-republic-themed-retail-that-once-was/|title=Banana Republic - Themed Retail That Once Was|website=Discoveries.vdaproductions.com|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709065438/http://discoveries.vdaproductions.com/articles/29724/banana-republic-themed-retail-that-once-was/|archive-date=9 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Zieglers recount their adventures in the first ten years in their memoir, ''Wild Company'', published in 2012 by Simon and Schuster.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ziegler|first=Mel|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/788290096|title=Wild company : the untold story of Banana Republic|date=2012|publisher=Simon & Schuster|others=Patricia Ziegler|isbn=978-1-4516-8348-6|location=New York, NY|oclc=788290096}}</ref>
The original Banana Republic was founded by [[Mel Ziegler|Mel]] and [[Patricia Ziegler]] in 1978.<ref>Klara, Robert [http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/banana-republic-was-mainstream-fashion-it-was-weirdly-wonderful-safari-brand-170059 Before Banana Republic Was Mainstream Fashion, It Was a Weirdly Wonderful Safari Brand: Revisiting the pith helmets, Jeeps and life-size giraffes] ''AdWeek''. March 17, 2016</ref> The couple worked for the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]''; Mel was a reporter and Patricia an illustrator. They lived in an apartment on [[Russian Hill, San Francisco|Russian Hill]]. In 1978, they quit their jobs and moved to [[Tamalpais Valley]]. They wanted to start a business for income. But first, Mel received a magazine assignment to explore Australia for a few weeks with other journalists. The couple was known for acquiring interesting clothing items that their travel-related jobs brought them in contact with.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Paul|title="Visiting the Banana Republic," in Universal Abandon: The Politics of Postmodernism|publisher=University of Minnesota Press|year=1988|isbn=0816616809|location=Minneapolis, MN}}</ref> They eventually opened a store in the [[Mill Valley, California|Mill Valley]] area of Northern California.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lancercreative.com/2013/05/banana-republic-a-look-back/|title=Banana Republic: A Look Back - Lancer Creative Services|website=Lancercreative.com|access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref> They were known for a hand-drawn catalogue of items with traveler/explorer stories printed alongside, and their [[safari]]-themed retail locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scottcadams.com/bananarepublic/the-adventure-begins/|title=The Adventure Begins....|date=10 May 2011|website=Scottcadams.com|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406094915/http://scottcadams.com/bananarepublic/the-adventure-begins/|archive-date=6 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://discoveries.vdaproductions.com/articles/29724/banana-republic-themed-retail-that-once-was/|title=Banana Republic - Themed Retail That Once Was|website=Discoveries.vdaproductions.com|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160709065438/http://discoveries.vdaproductions.com/articles/29724/banana-republic-themed-retail-that-once-was/|archive-date=9 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Zieglers recount their adventures in the first ten years in their memoir, ''Wild Company'', published in 2012 by Simon and Schuster.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ziegler|first=Mel|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/788290096|title=Wild company : the untold story of Banana Republic|date=2012|publisher=Simon & Schuster|others=Patricia Ziegler|isbn=978-1-4516-8348-6|location=New York, NY|oclc=788290096}}</ref>


[[Gap Inc.]] acquired Banana Republic in 1983 and by 1988 the founders, Mel and Patricia Ziegler, lost creative control,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/09/business/gap-inc-to-cut-growth-of-banana-republic-unit.html|title=Gap Inc. to Cut Growth Of Banana Republic Unit|last=Times|first=Lawrence M. Fisher and Special To the New York|access-date=2018-07-13|language=en}}</ref> eventually rebranding it as [[masstige]], an accessible mass luxury clothing retailer. The literate articles, hand-drawn catalog, and eccentric tourist-oriented items were phased out and were replaced with more luxurious, but not unique, items for which the brand would be eventually known for, currently replacing higher quality materials for mass quality lower cost fabric standards.<ref name="adweek.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/banana-republic-was-mainstream-fashion-it-was-weirdly-wonderful-safari-brand-170059/|title=Before Banana Republic Was Mainstream Fashion, It Was a Weirdly Wonderful Safari Brand|access-date=2018-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[Gap Inc.]] acquired Banana Republic in 1983. By 1988 the founders, Mel and Patricia Ziegler, lost creative control,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/09/business/gap-inc-to-cut-growth-of-banana-republic-unit.html|title=Gap Inc. to Cut Growth Of Banana Republic Unit|last=Times|first=Lawrence M. Fisher and Special To the New York|newspaper=The New York Times |date=9 March 1988 |access-date=2018-07-13|language=en}}</ref> eventually rebranding it as [[masstige]], an accessible mass luxury clothing retailer. The literate articles, hand-drawn catalog, and eccentric tourist-oriented items were phased out and were replaced with more luxurious, but not unique, items for which the brand would eventually become known, currently replacing higher quality materials for mass quality lower cost fabric standards.<ref name="adweek.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/banana-republic-was-mainstream-fashion-it-was-weirdly-wonderful-safari-brand-170059/|title=Before Banana Republic Was Mainstream Fashion, It Was a Weirdly Wonderful Safari Brand|access-date=2018-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Locations==
==Retail history==
[[File:Banana Republic, 107 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA - Mar 2013.jpg|thumb|Inside the store]]
[[File:Banana Republic, 107 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, USA - Mar 2013.jpg|thumb|Inside the store]]
[[Image:banamtl2.jpg|thumb|Banana Republic on Saint Catherine Street in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]].]]
[[Image:banamtl2.jpg|thumb|Banana Republic on Saint Catherine Street in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]].]]
[[File:BananaRepublicMarkville.jpg|thumb|Banana Republic in [[Markville Shopping Centre]]]]
[[File:BananaRepublicMarkville.jpg|thumb|Banana Republic in [[Markville Shopping Centre]]]]


The company operates more than 500 Banana Republic stores in the United States (including [[Puerto Rico]]), 40 stores in Canada, and 61 stores beyond North America. The Gap, Inc. is expanding its international presence with franchise agreements for Gap and Banana Republic in [[Asia]], [[Europe]], and the [[Middle East]]. In 2015 Banana Republic opened a new flagship in [[Manhattan]] on [[Fifth Avenue]] and 18th Street.
In 2015 Banana Republic opened a new flagship in [[Manhattan]] on [[Fifth Avenue]] and 18th Street.


Banana Republic opened its first store outside North America in 2005 in Tokyo's [[Ginza]] shopping district. Banana Republic's presence in South Korea debuted in August 2007 with a store in the [[Apkujeong]] district of [[Seoul]].
Banana Republic opened its first store outside North America in 2005 in Tokyo's [[Ginza]] shopping district. Banana Republic's presence in South Korea debuted in August 2007 with a store in the [[Apkujeong]] district of [[Seoul]].
Line 43: Line 63:
In 2007, the first Banana Republic stores opened at [[The Avenues (Kuwait)|The Avenues shopping mall]] in [[Kuwait City]], Kuwait; [[Senayan City]] in [[Jakarta]], Indonesia; and [[Pavilion Kuala Lumpur]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.
In 2007, the first Banana Republic stores opened at [[The Avenues (Kuwait)|The Avenues shopping mall]] in [[Kuwait City]], Kuwait; [[Senayan City]] in [[Jakarta]], Indonesia; and [[Pavilion Kuala Lumpur]] in [[Kuala Lumpur]], Malaysia.


Banana Republic opened its first store in Turkey in March 2008 in the [[Kanyon Shopping Mall, Istanbul|Kanyon Shopping Mall]] in [[Istanbul]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/en/biz.php?bolum=Biz&konu=7 |title=Archived copy |website=www.fibaholding.com.tr |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730140249/http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/en/biz.php?bolum=Biz&konu=7 |archive-date=30 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By May 2008, [[İstinye]] Park Shopping Mall and [[Nişantaşı]] stores were also opened in Istanbul. More stores are planned to be opened in [[Ankara]] and [[İzmir]] by the end of 2008 to bring the total number of stores in Turkey to six.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/tr/sirketler.php?gid=4&sid=63 |title=Archived copy |website=www.fibaholding.com.tr |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418144248/http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/tr/sirketler.php?gid=4&sid=63 |archive-date=18 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Banana Republic opened its first store in Turkey in March 2008 in the [[Kanyon Shopping Mall, Istanbul|Kanyon Shopping Mall]] in [[Istanbul]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/en/biz.php?bolum=Biz&konu=7 |title=Fiba Grubu |website=www.fibaholding.com.tr |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730140249/http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/en/biz.php?bolum=Biz&konu=7 |archive-date=30 July 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref> By May 2008, [[İstinye]] Park Shopping Mall and [[Nişantaşı]] stores were also opened in Istanbul. More stores are planned to be opened in [[Ankara]] and [[İzmir]] by the end of 2008 to bring the total number of stores in Turkey to six.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/tr/sirketler.php?gid=4&sid=63 |title=Fiba Grubu |website=www.fibaholding.com.tr |access-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130418144248/http://www.fibaholding.com.tr/tr/sirketler.php?gid=4&sid=63 |archive-date=18 April 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


Banana Republic opened in Saudi Arabia in late 2008, with a store in [[Mall of Arabia (Jeddah)|Mall of Arabia]] in [[Jeddah]] and a second in Riyadh Gallery Mall in [[Riyadh]] in March 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 June 2007|title=Gap Inc. to launch in Turkey, Saudi Arabia|url=https://chainstoreage.com/news/gap-inc-launch-turkey-saudi-arabia|access-date=26 November 2020|website=Chain Store Age}}</ref>
Banana Republic opened in Saudi Arabia in late 2008, with a store in [[Mall of Arabia (Jeddah)|Mall of Arabia]] in [[Jeddah]] and a second in Riyadh Gallery Mall in [[Riyadh]] in March 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 June 2007|title=Gap Inc. to launch in Turkey, Saudi Arabia|url=https://chainstoreage.com/news/gap-inc-launch-turkey-saudi-arabia|access-date=26 November 2020|website=Chain Store Age}}</ref>


In March 2008, Banana Republic opened its {{convert|17000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} store on [[Regent Street]] in London, England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regentstreetonline.com/NR/exeres/77E1FDC6-9A0A-4F3E-8B6D-7645BF887A03,frameless.htm?NRMODE=Published|title=Regent Street Online|website=Regentstreetonline.com|access-date=14 July 2016}}</ref> On May 9, 2008, Banana Republic opened its store on [[Greenbelt (Ayala Center)|Greenbelt 5]] in [[Makati]], Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Garceau|first=Therese|date=7 May 2008|title=Yes, we have now Banana Republic|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/fashion-and-beauty/2008/05/07/60668/yes-we-have-now-banana-republic|access-date=26 November 2020|website=philstar}}</ref>
In March 2008, Banana Republic opened its {{convert|17000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} store on [[Regent Street]] in London, England.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regentstreetonline.com/NR/exeres/77E1FDC6-9A0A-4F3E-8B6D-7645BF887A03,frameless.htm?NRMODE=Published|title=Regent Street Online|website=Regentstreetonline.com|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611174723/https://www.regentstreetonline.com/NR/exeres/77E1FDC6-9A0A-4F3E-8B6D-7645BF887A03,frameless.htm?NRMODE=Published|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 9, 2008, Banana Republic opened its store on [[Greenbelt (Ayala Center)|Greenbelt 5]] in [[Makati]], Philippines.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Garceau|first=Therese|date=7 May 2008|title=Yes, we have now Banana Republic|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/fashion-and-beauty/2008/05/07/60668/yes-we-have-now-banana-republic|access-date=26 November 2020|website=philstar}}</ref>


In October 2016, Banana Republic announced that it would close all its UK stores by the end of the year, due to falling sales.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/18/gap-to-shut-all-banana-republic-shops-in-the-uk|title=Gap to shut all Banana Republic shops in the UK|last=Reuters|date=18 October 2016|via=The Guardian}}</ref> As of 2017, Banana Republic had over 700 locations, but as a result of European stores closures, none left in Europe.<ref name="adweek.com"/>
In October 2016, Banana Republic announced that it would close all its UK stores by the end of the year, due to falling sales.<ref name="theguardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/18/gap-to-shut-all-banana-republic-shops-in-the-uk|title=Gap to shut all Banana Republic shops in the UK|date=18 October 2016|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> As of 2017, Banana Republic had over 700 locations, but as a result of European stores closures, there are none left in Europe.<ref name="adweek.com"/>


In August 2020, Banana Republic alongside Gap announced that they will close over 225 store locations as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The original plan was to close only 90 stores, however, they expanded the number as a consequence of the financial effects caused by the pandemic. The company has not stated the exact locations that will be closed, but most will be stores within malls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/28/business/gap-banana-republic-store-closures/|title=Gap is closing more than 200 stores this year|publisher=[[CNN Business]]|last=Valinsky|first=Jordan|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref>
In August 2020, Banana Republic alongside Gap announced that they will close over 225 store locations as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. The original plan was to close only 90 stores, however, they expanded the number as a consequence of the financial effects caused by the pandemic. The company has not stated the exact locations that will be closed, but most will be stores within malls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/28/business/gap-banana-republic-store-closures/|title=Gap is closing more than 200 stores this year|publisher=[[CNN Business]]|last=Valinsky|first=Jordan|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref>

Banana Republic produced a fall/winter [[capsule collection]] with New York-based fashion designer Peter Do in 2023.<ref name="Sylvia Ades">{{cite web |last1=Ades |first1=Sylvia |title=BANANA REPUBLIC ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION WITH PETER DO TO DROP THIS FALL |url=https://vmagazine.com/article/banana-republic-announces-exclusive-collection-with-peter-do-to-drop-this-fall/ |publisher=V Magazine |date=August 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Cathaleen |title=Peter Do to Collaborate With Banana Republic |url=https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/retail/peter-do-to-collaborate-with-banana-republic/ |publisher=Business of Fashion |date=15 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Dylan |title=Peter Do Is Collaborating With Banana Republic |url=https://hypebeast.com/2023/8/peter-do-banana-republic-collaboration-collection-october-release |publisher=Hypebeast |date=August 15, 2023}}</ref>


==Clothing lines==
==Clothing lines==
Line 65: Line 87:
*BR Athletics
*BR Athletics
|valign="top"|
|valign="top"|
;Capsule collections
;[[Capsule collection]]s
*Trina Turk
*[[Trina Turk]]
*Anna Karenina
*Anna Karenina
*Mad Men
*Mad Men
Line 76: Line 98:
|}
|}


==Store count==
==Stores==
{{Portal|San Francisco Bay Area|Companies}}
⚫
As of the end of the first quarter of 2011, Banana Republic had 682 company-owned or franchised stores in operation across 32 countries, shipped to 21 countries through company owned websites, and had the ability to ship to more than 50 countries through a 3rd party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gapinc.com/content/dam/gapincsite/documents/Global_Footprint.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928045705/http://www.gapinc.com/content/dam/gapincsite/documents/Global_Footprint.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref>


⚫
In 2011, Banana Republic had 682 company-owned or franchised stores in operation across 32 countries, shipped to 21 countries through company owned websites, and had the ability to ship to more than 50 countries through a third party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gapinc.com/content/dam/gapincsite/documents/Global_Footprint.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=August 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928045705/http://www.gapinc.com/content/dam/gapincsite/documents/Global_Footprint.pdf |archive-date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> By late 2022, the total number of US stores fell to just 379, including three [[outlet store|outlets]] in Puerto Rico, while the number of outlets in Canada climbed to 62. The company closed all eight of its UK and Ireland stores in 2016,<ref name="theguardian"/> and shut down all of the brand's European websites in May 2022.{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}}
{| style="width:60%;"
|-
| style="width:15%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left;"|
; North America
* {{USA}}: 538
* {{CAN}}: 40
* {{MEX}}: 8

; Africa
* {{MAR}}: 1
* {{SAF}}: 1

; Europe
* {{RUS}}: 5
* {{TUR}}: 2
* {{AZE}}: 1
* {{FRA}}: 1
* {{GEO}}: 1
| style="width:15%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left;"|
; Asia
* {{JPN}}: 28
* {{KOR}}: 9
* {{PHI}}: 4
* {{SAU}}: 3
* {{UAE}}: 3
* {{BHR}}: 1
* {{KUW}}: 1
* {{THA}}: 1
* {{VIE}}: 3
| style="width:15%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left;"|

; South America
* {{CHL}}: 10
* {{PER}}: 2
* {{COL}}: 1
* {{ARG}}: 1
; Central America
* {{CRI}}: 1
* {{SLV}}: 1<ref>{{cite web|author=EconomĂa |url=http://elmundo.com.sv/roble-inicia-cambios-en-multiplaza-y-metrocentro |title=Noticias de El Salvador &#124; Diario El Mundo » Roble inicia cambios en Multiplaza y Metrocentro |publisher=Elmundo.com.sv |access-date=2013-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028144706/http://elmundo.com.sv/roble-inicia-cambios-en-multiplaza-y-metrocentro |archive-date=2012-10-28 }}</ref>
* {{flag|Panama}}: 1
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 127: Line 107:
==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Banana Republic}}
{{commons category|Banana Republic}}
* [http://www.bananarepublic.com/ U.S. official website]
* {{official website|https://bananarepublic.gap.com/}}

* [http://www.bananarepublic.ca/ Canadian official website]
==See also==
* [http://www.bananarepublic.co.jp/ Japanese official website]
*[[Dead mall]]
* [http://www.bananarepublic.eu/ European official website]
*[[Retail apocalypse]]


{{Gap Inc.}}
{{Gap Inc.}}
Line 140: Line 121:
[[Category:Gap brands]]
[[Category:Gap brands]]
[[Category:Fashion accessory brands]]
[[Category:Fashion accessory brands]]
[[Category:Underwear brands]]
[[Category:Retail companies based in California]]
[[Category:Retail companies based in California]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Francisco]]
[[Category:Companies based in San Francisco]]
Line 148: Line 128:
[[Category:1978 establishments in California]]
[[Category:1978 establishments in California]]
[[Category:Mill Valley, California]]
[[Category:Mill Valley, California]]
[[Category:Eyewear brands of the United States]]
[[Category:1983 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:1983 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:1990s fashion]]
[[Category:1990s fashion]]

Latest revision as of 23:03, 17 April 2024

This article is about the retail chain. For the political science term, see Banana republic. For other uses, see Banana republic (disambiguation).
Banana Republic
Company typeDivision of Gap
IndustryRetail
Founded1978; 46 years ago (1978)
Mill Valley, California, U.S.
FoundersMel Ziegler
Patricia Ziegler
HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Number of locations
700 (2017)
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Sonia Syngal (CEO of parent Gap, Inc.)
Sandra Stangl (President & CEO)
ProductsClothing
ParentGap Inc. (1983–present)
Websitewww.BananaRepublic.com

Banana Republic is an American upscale clothing and accessories retailer owned by The Gap. It was founded in 1978 by Mel and Patricia Ziegler, who originally called the company "Banana Republic Travel & Safari Clothing Company". In 1983, Gap purchased the company, changed the name to "Banana Republic," and rebranded the stores to achieve a more upscale image.[1][2] In the 2020s, VP of design Nicole Wiesmann has re-envisioned the brand with ad editorial campaigns that evoke luxury brands like Loro Piana with higher-end garments that have been compared favorably with Ralph Lauren, The Row, and Burberry.[3][4][5]

History[edit]

Banana Republic Travel Clothing Catalog No. 35, Spring 1988

The original Banana Republic was founded by Mel and Patricia Ziegler in 1978.[6] The couple worked for the San Francisco Chronicle; Mel was a reporter and Patricia an illustrator. They lived in an apartment on Russian Hill. In 1978, they quit their jobs and moved to Tamalpais Valley. They wanted to start a business for income. But first, Mel received a magazine assignment to explore Australia for a few weeks with other journalists. The couple was known for acquiring interesting clothing items that their travel-related jobs brought them in contact with.[7] They eventually opened a store in the Mill Valley area of Northern California.[8] They were known for a hand-drawn catalogue of items with traveler/explorer stories printed alongside, and their safari-themed retail locations.[9][10] The Zieglers recount their adventures in the first ten years in their memoir, Wild Company, published in 2012 by Simon and Schuster.[11]

Gap Inc. acquired Banana Republic in 1983. By 1988 the founders, Mel and Patricia Ziegler, lost creative control,[12] eventually rebranding it as masstige, an accessible mass luxury clothing retailer. The literate articles, hand-drawn catalog, and eccentric tourist-oriented items were phased out and were replaced with more luxurious, but not unique, items for which the brand would eventually become known, currently replacing higher quality materials for mass quality lower cost fabric standards.[13]

Retail history[edit]

Inside the store
Banana Republic on Saint Catherine Street in Montreal, Quebec.
Banana Republic in Markville Shopping Centre

In 2015 Banana Republic opened a new flagship in Manhattan on Fifth Avenue and 18th Street.

Banana Republic opened its first store outside North America in 2005 in Tokyo's Ginza shopping district. Banana Republic's presence in South Korea debuted in August 2007 with a store in the Apkujeong district of Seoul.

In 2007, the first Banana Republic stores opened at The Avenues shopping mall in Kuwait City, Kuwait; Senayan City in Jakarta, Indonesia; and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Banana Republic opened its first store in Turkey in March 2008 in the Kanyon Shopping Mall in Istanbul.[14] By May 2008, İstinye Park Shopping Mall and Nişantaşı stores were also opened in Istanbul. More stores are planned to be opened in Ankara and İzmir by the end of 2008 to bring the total number of stores in Turkey to six.[15]

Banana Republic opened in Saudi Arabia in late 2008, with a store in Mall of Arabia in Jeddah and a second in Riyadh Gallery Mall in Riyadh in March 2009.[16]

In March 2008, Banana Republic opened its 17,000-square-foot (1,600 m2) store on Regent Street in London, England.[17] On May 9, 2008, Banana Republic opened its store on Greenbelt 5 in Makati, Philippines.[18]

In October 2016, Banana Republic announced that it would close all its UK stores by the end of the year, due to falling sales.[19] As of 2017, Banana Republic had over 700 locations, but as a result of European stores closures, there are none left in Europe.[13]

In August 2020, Banana Republic alongside Gap announced that they will close over 225 store locations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The original plan was to close only 90 stores, however, they expanded the number as a consequence of the financial effects caused by the pandemic. The company has not stated the exact locations that will be closed, but most will be stores within malls.[20]

Banana Republic produced a fall/winter capsule collection with New York-based fashion designer Peter Do in 2023.[21][22][23]

Clothing lines[edit]

Collections
  • BR Monogram[2]
  • Heritage
  • Sunday Sunday
  • BR Sport (2021)
  • BR Baby
  • BR Athletics
Capsule collections
  • Trina Turk
  • Anna Karenina
  • Mad Men
  • Milly NY
  • Issa London
  • L'Wren Scott
  • Marimekko
  • Roland Mouret

Stores[edit]

In 2011, Banana Republic had 682 company-owned or franchised stores in operation across 32 countries, shipped to 21 countries through company owned websites, and had the ability to ship to more than 50 countries through a third party.[24] By late 2022, the total number of US stores fell to just 379, including three outlets in Puerto Rico, while the number of outlets in Canada climbed to 62. The company closed all eight of its UK and Ireland stores in 2016,[19] and shut down all of the brand's European websites in May 2022.[citation needed]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Moin, David (February 24, 2022). "A Repositioning Banana Republic Adds to the Mix". Women's Wear Daily.
  2. ^ a b "Major retailers launch upscale collections - Business - Retail | NBC News". NBC News. 2008-04-20. Retrieved 2013-03-03.
  3. ^ McCall, Tyler (December 13, 2022). "Banana Republic Is In Its Viral Era — What's Contributing To Its Success". Refinery29.
  4. ^ Inside Banana Republic's Bid to Regain Relevance LAUREN SHERMAN and CATHALEEN CHEN, Business of Fashion, 21 September 2022
  5. ^ CHEN, CATHALEEN (7 September 2022). "How Banana Republic Became a Bright Spot in Gap Inc.'s Portfolio". Business of Fashion.
  6. ^ Klara, Robert Before Banana Republic Was Mainstream Fashion, It Was a Weirdly Wonderful Safari Brand: Revisiting the pith helmets, Jeeps and life-size giraffes AdWeek. March 17, 2016
  7. ^ Smith, Paul (1988). "Visiting the Banana Republic," in Universal Abandon: The Politics of Postmodernism. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press. ISBN 0816616809.
  8. ^ "Banana Republic: A Look Back - Lancer Creative Services". Lancercreative.com. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  9. ^ "The Adventure Begins..." Scottcadams.com. 10 May 2011. Archived from the original on 6 April 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Banana Republic - Themed Retail That Once Was". Discoveries.vdaproductions.com. Archived from the original on 9 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  11. ^ Ziegler, Mel (2012). Wild company : the untold story of Banana Republic. Patricia Ziegler. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4516-8348-6. OCLC 788290096.
  12. ^ Times, Lawrence M. Fisher and Special To the New York (9 March 1988). "Gap Inc. to Cut Growth Of Banana Republic Unit". The New York Times. Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  13. ^ a b "Before Banana Republic Was Mainstream Fashion, It Was a Weirdly Wonderful Safari Brand". Retrieved 2018-07-13.
  14. ^ "Fiba Grubu". www.fibaholding.com.tr. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Fiba Grubu". www.fibaholding.com.tr. Archived from the original on 18 April 2013. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Gap Inc. to launch in Turkey, Saudi Arabia". Chain Store Age. 13 June 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  17. ^ "Regent Street Online". Regentstreetonline.com. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  18. ^ Garceau, Therese (7 May 2008). "Yes, we have now Banana Republic". philstar. Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  19. ^ a b "Gap to shut all Banana Republic shops in the UK". The Guardian. 18 October 2016.
  20. ^ Valinsky, Jordan (August 28, 2020). "Gap is closing more than 200 stores this year". CNN Business. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  21. ^ Ades, Sylvia (August 21, 2023). "BANANA REPUBLIC ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE COLLECTION WITH PETER DO TO DROP THIS FALL". V Magazine.
  22. ^ Chen, Cathaleen (15 August 2023). "Peter Do to Collaborate With Banana Republic". Business of Fashion.
  23. ^ Kelly, Dylan (August 15, 2023). "Peter Do Is Collaborating With Banana Republic". Hypebeast.
  24. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 28, 2011. Retrieved August 8, 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Banana Republic.

See also[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Banana_Republic&oldid=1219466291"