George Gilman

For other people named George Gilman, see George Gilman (disambiguation).
George Gilman
Born
George Francis Gilman

c. 1826
Waterville, Maine, US
DiedMarch 3, 1901 (age 75)[1]
Bridgeport, Connecticut, US
Known forThe Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company (A&P)
PartnerGeorge Huntington Hartford

George Francis Gilman (c. 1826 – March 3, 1901) was an American businessman. A native of Waterville, Maine, he moved to New York City when he joined his father's leather tanning business. By age 30, he had his own leather business in New York. After his father died, Gilman decided to enter the more respectable tea and coffee business and started what would ultimately become The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company, better known as A&P.[2]

Gilman had a flair for marketing and pioneered many sales techniques that are now commonplace retailing. Initially he opened stores in New York City and also operated a nationwide mail order business selling tea and coffee. In 1871, he opened a store in Chicago, Illinois and within a few years operated stores in 16 cities.[3]

In 1878, Gilman retired to his mansion in Bridgeport, Connecticut where he became known as an eccentric. The firm was operated by George Huntington Hartford who had been responsible for the company's business affairs. Under the unwritten understanding, Hartford received half of the profits. Gilman never had children and died without a will. Hartford asserted in court that he was entitled to half of the company and Gilman's estate agreed to a settlement that allowed Hartford to ultimately buy out the Gilman interests.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference times1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Levinson, Marc (2011). The Great A&P and the struggle for small business in America. Hill and Wang. ISBN 978-0-8090-9543-8.
  3. ^ Walsh, William (1986). The Rise & Decline of The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company. Lyle Stuart Inc. ISBN 0-8184-0382-9.