American Apparel
The slogan “Made in the USA — sweatshop-free” drew people to American Apparel. It was a wonderful idea to encourage ethical shoppers to support the LA brand. Until 2015, the company performed admirably but has since battled to regain its footing. Gildan Activewear, a Canadian multinational, purchased the name and manufacturing equipment rights two years later for $88 million, rescuing the company. We’re not sure if American Apparel would still exist today without this. If you take a literal approach, the company’s headquarters remain in the Americas.
American Apparel
7-Eleven
Every successful firm began with a visionary founder. 7-Eleven was no exception. Jefferson Green, a regular Joe, spotted an opportunity to extend his product line while working at Southland Ice in 1927. He expanded his product line to include bread, eggs, and milk. He was a kind man. That business strategy was effective, and his Dallas-based company expanded even further once he changed the name to 7-Eleven to reflect the store’s operating hours. It remains a staple of American popular culture decades later. When the economy crashed in 1987, it entered a difficult period. This is where Ito-Yokado, a Japanese company, came to the rescue. This is why Seven & I Holdings acquired it.
7 Eleven
