Doris and Don Fisher opened up the first Gap (NYSE:GPS) store 37 years ago on San Francisco's Ocean Avenue. The store sold mostly jeans and music. There wasn't a pair of khaki pants anywhere in sight.
I was turning two when the concept was born. Alyce Lomax would come around a few years later. I mention this only because Alyce and I have opposing views when it comes to the apparel retailing giant this week. Even though we're just a few years apart in age, it's symbolic that there is a Gap between us.
The new wave of market darlings have been faster-growing chains like Urban Outfitters (NASDAQ:URBN) and Citi Trends (NASDAQ:CTRN), but Gap is still a retailing juggernaut with more than 3,000 stores worldwide.
The stock also has a bit of an overlap within our newsletter community. It was recommended by Philip Durell for Motley Fool Inside Value subscribers a few months ago. Two years ago, Tom Gardner also picked it for the Motley Fool Stock Advisor service.
Does Gap belong in your portfolio? That's what this week's Duel is all about.
Duel on!
