Men's Wearhouse history

George Zimmer first appeared in Men's Wearhouse commercials in 1985, demonstrating the authenticity of the brand.

In 1989, Nordstrom Department Store sued Men's Wearhouse for false advertising, disputing the company's claim that Men's Wearhouse suits were identical to those sold by Nordstrom.

In 1990, C&R Clothiers also sued, complaining about false claims regarding pricing.

In April 1992, Zimmer took the company public, selling 2.25 million shares at $8.67 per share and raising $12.7 million.

The company had started selling shoes three years earlier, offering Rockport, Florsheim, and Bostonian; it began offering its own private-label brand in early 1994.

As analysts at Robertson, Stephens & Company noted in their recommendation of April 30, 1996, "The Men's Wearhouse has never depended on strong industry growth but solely on the company's superior fundamentals and growth prospects."

K&G, based in Atlanta, had 34 stores and 1998 sales of $139 million.

Men's Wearhouse acquired the 107-store Moores Retail Group in February 1999.

Zimmer believed the ladies' side could equal the $1 billion in volume the men's side was then seeing. It bought its first women's shop there in May 2000, under the name K&G Women's Superstore.

Men's Wearhouse was reported to be bidding for Brooks Bros., marketer of upscale men's clothing, in the summer of 2001; instead, Retail Brand Alliance bought it from U.K. retailer Marks & Spencer.

By February 2002, tuxedo rentals were being offered at 373 Men's Wearhouse stores.