An American businessman and jeweler who founded New York City's Tiffany & Co. in 1837. Known for his jewelry expertise, Tiffany created the country's first retail catalog and introduced the English standard of sterling silver in imported jewelry in 1851.

David Abercrombie founded A& F in 1892 as an upscale sporting goods store. In 1908, former President Teddy Roosevelt outfitted himself with 'snake-proof sleeping bags and multiple weapons' before departing with the Smithsonian for his African Safari.

AT Stewart opened his first dry goods store, selling Irish fabrics and domestic calicos. He believed in good prices, no advertising and excellent customer service.

Arnold Constable was the first American department store. It was founded in 1825 as a small dry goods store on Pine Street in New York City. In 1857 the store moved into a five-story white marble dry goods palace known as the Marble House.