- John Geisse
John F. Geisse (died
February 21 ,1992 aged 71) was a majorretail pioneer. He is the author of the "Better Quality Upscale Discount Store Concept in America" and was inducted into "Discount Store News" Discount Hall of Fame in 1984. [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n6_v31/ai_12054329/pg_1 Article from Discount Store News detailing John Geisse's retailing career] ]During his retailing career, Geisse launched three successful
retail chain s. In 1962, he founded and launched the chain Target Stores for the Dayton Company, now known asTarget Corporation . In 1968, he left Target Stores and was subsequently hired byMay Department Stores , where he founded the Venture chain. In 1975, he "retired" from May Co. and Venture. He then purchasedAyr-Way Stores, Indianapolis. After he sold Ayr-Way Stores, he was a long time consultant to his friendSam Walton and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. In 1982, he founded his third chain, a midwesternwarehouse club called The Wholesale Club, Inc. of Indianapolis, that inspiredWal-Mart Stores, Inc. to create itsSAM'S CLUB division in 1983. In 1991, he sold The Wholesale Club chain to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and The Wholesale Club merged with SAM'S CLUB.Geisse and his wife Mary raised ten children.
Notes and references
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