John Geisse
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John F. Geisse (died February 21, 1992 aged 71) was a major retail 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.[1]
During his retailing career, Geisse launched three successful retail chains. In 1962, he founded and launched the chain Target Stores for the Dayton Company, now known as Target Corporation. In 1968, he left Target Stores and was subsequently hired by May Department Stores, where he founded the Venture chain. In 1975, he "retired" from May Co. and Venture. He then purchased Ayr-Way Stores, Indianapolis. After he sold Ayr-Way Stores, he was a long time consultant to his friend Sam Walton and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. In 1982, he founded his third chain, a midwestern warehouse club called The Wholesale Club, Inc. of Indianapolis, that inspired Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. to create its SAM'S CLUB division in 1983.[1] 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.
