Retail Revolution: 14 Immigrant-Founded Brands That Shaped American Shopping

Celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that transformed storefronts and shopping habits nationwide, as visionary newcomers introduced brands now woven into daily American life.

Ever stop to think about how many of the brands you rely on every day have stories that began far from American shores? From your closet to your medicine cabinet, and from your tech gadgets to your favorite snack, immigrants have shaped nearly every corner of American shopping. Their journeys, ideas, and hard work have brought us products and experiences that define modern life. Here are fourteen brands founded by immigrants that have truly transformed the way America shops.

1. Forever 21 Was Created by Korean Immigrants Who Changed Fast Fashion

Forever 21’s story begins with Do Won and Jin Sook Chang, a husband-and-wife team who emigrated from South Korea to Los Angeles in 1981, as described by Business Insider. With little English and limited resources, they opened a small clothing store called Fashion 21, catering to the local Korean-American community.

Their keen sense for trends and dedication to customer service helped the business grow rapidly. The store was rebranded as Forever 21, and soon became a fast fashion powerhouse, offering trendy clothes at affordable prices to young shoppers nationwide.

Forever 21’s rise transformed the American shopping mall experience and set the stage for the fast fashion era. The Changs’ journey from new arrivals to retail moguls is a classic example of how immigrant entrepreneurship can reshape entire industries and influence how Americans shop for style.

2. Colgate Was Revitalized by an English Immigrant

Colgate is a household name when it comes to toothpaste, but its rise to prominence was shaped by Samuel Colgate, the son of English immigrants, as documented by Britannica. The Colgate family brought their soap and candle business to America in the early 1800s, eventually expanding into oral care.

Samuel Colgate’s focus on quality and innovation helped the brand become a leader in personal hygiene. The introduction of the first toothpaste in a collapsible tube was a game-changer, making oral care more convenient and accessible.

Today, Colgate products are found in homes around the world, a testament to the enduring influence of immigrant entrepreneurship on American shopping habits.

3. Kraft Foods Brought Cheese to Every Table

If you’ve ever enjoyed a grilled cheese sandwich or a quick mac and cheese dinner, you have James L. Kraft to thank. Born in Canada, Kraft immigrated to the United States and started a cheese business in Chicago in the early 1900s, as detailed by The Retroist. His big breakthrough? Inventing a pasteurization process that made cheese safer and longer-lasting.

Kraft’s innovations made cheese affordable and accessible, turning it into a staple of the American diet. The company’s products, from singles to spreads, quickly found their way into lunchboxes and kitchens across the country.

Kraft Foods didn’t just change how Americans ate; it changed how they shopped, too. With its convenient packaging and wide distribution, Kraft helped usher in the era of modern grocery shopping, where convenience and variety reign supreme.

4. Google Was Co-Founded by a Russian Immigrant

Moment Magazine reports that, Sergey Brin, one half of the duo that created Google, was born in Russia and immigrated to the United States as a child. Together with Larry Page, Brin launched a search engine that would fundamentally change how people find information and shop online.

Google’s rise was meteoric, quickly becoming the go-to tool for anyone looking to buy, research, or discover new products. The company’s advertising platform also transformed the way businesses reach customers, making digital marketing an essential part of modern commerce.

Brin’s journey from immigrant to tech titan is a testament to the opportunities available in America—and the impact that fresh perspectives can have on the world. Google’s influence on shopping is everywhere, from product searches to personalized ads.

5. Häagen-Dazs Made Ice Cream a Luxury

Häagen-Dazs might sound European, but it’s actually the brainchild of Reuben and Rose Mattus, Polish immigrants who settled in New York, as explained by Unpacked. In the 1960s, the Mattuses set out to create a premium ice cream brand that would stand out from the competition.

Their focus on high-quality ingredients and rich flavors turned Häagen-Dazs into a household name. The brand’s European-sounding name was a clever marketing move, meant to evoke old-world craftsmanship and luxury—even though it doesn’t actually mean anything in Danish.

By elevating ice cream from a simple treat to an indulgent experience, Häagen-Dazs changed the way Americans thought about dessert. The brand’s success paved the way for today’s booming market in gourmet and artisanal foods.

6. Pfizer Was Founded by German Immigrants Who Changed Medicine

Pfizer’s story begins in 1849, when cousins Charles Pfizer and Charles Erhart, both recent immigrants from Germany, set up a small chemical business in Brooklyn, New York, as discussed by Pharmaphorum. Their first product was an innovative anti-parasitic, but it was just the start of a journey that would revolutionize medicine and the American shopping experience.

As the company grew, Pfizer became a leader in mass-producing essential medicines, including the lifesaving antibiotic penicillin during World War II. Their innovations made pharmaceuticals more widely available and affordable, changing the way Americans approached health and wellness.

Today, Pfizer is a global pharmaceutical giant, shaping not only the medical landscape but also the products we find on pharmacy shelves. The company’s immigrant roots are a reminder that some of the most important names in health and shopping began with a leap of faith in a new country.

7. Levi Strauss Introduced Blue Jeans to America

Blue jeans are as American as apple pie, but their creator, Levi Strauss, was actually a German immigrant, as stated by Neatorama. Arriving in the U.S. in the mid-1800s, Strauss started out selling dry goods before inventing the sturdy denim pants that would become a global fashion staple.

Levi’s jeans were originally designed for miners and workers who needed durable clothing for tough jobs. Little did Strauss know that his practical creation would become a symbol of casual style and rebellion, adopted by everyone from movie stars to rock musicians.

Today, Levi’s is a cornerstone of American casual wear, and its story is a reminder that some of our most iconic products have roots far from home. Thanks to Strauss’s vision, the humble blue jean became a worldwide phenomenon, changing the way Americans—and the world—dress.

8. AT&T Was Founded by the Son of a Scottish Immigrant

The story of AT&T begins with Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone and the son of a Scottish immigrant, as described by Britannica. Bell’s work revolutionized communication, making it possible for people to connect across great distances for the first time.

AT&T, which stands for American Telephone and Telegraph, quickly became the backbone of America’s communication network. The company’s innovations made telephones a household necessity and laid the groundwork for the digital age.

Today, AT&T is a telecommunications giant, but its roots are in the dreams and determination of an immigrant family. The company’s legacy is a testament to the enduring impact of new Americans on the nation’s technological advancement.

9. eBay Was Launched by a French-Born Entrepreneur

When Pierre Omidyar founded eBay in 1995, he couldn’t have predicted how it would transform shopping, as explained by Inc.com. Born in France to Iranian parents, Omidyar moved to the United States as a child and developed a passion for computers and entrepreneurship.

eBay started as a simple online auction site but quickly grew into a global marketplace where anyone could buy or sell just about anything. The platform democratized commerce, giving individuals and small businesses a way to reach customers around the world.

Omidyar’s immigrant background gave him a unique perspective on opportunity and community. eBay’s success shows how a fresh approach to old problems can revolutionize entire industries and make shopping more accessible than ever.

10. Estée Lauder Became a Beauty Empire Thanks to Hungarian Roots

Estée Lauder, born Josephine Esther Mentzer, was the daughter of Hungarian immigrants who settled in New York. With a passion for skincare and a knack for sales, she started her beauty business from her kitchen, selling creams and lotions to friends and family.

Lauder’s persistence and charm helped her build one of the world’s most recognizable beauty brands. Her focus on customer service and personal touch set her products apart in a crowded market, and her innovative marketing strategies—like free samples—became industry standards.

Today, Estée Lauder is a global powerhouse, but its beginnings were humble and deeply tied to the immigrant experience. The brand’s story is a reminder that big dreams can start in small places, especially when fueled by determination and a little bit of ingenuity.

11. Intel Was Co-Founded by a Hungarian Immigrant

Andrew Grove, born András Gróf in Hungary, survived the Holocaust and emigrated to the United States, where he became one of the driving forces behind Intel. Grove’s leadership helped the company become a leader in semiconductor technology, powering everything from computers to smartphones.

Intel’s innovations made personal computing accessible and affordable, changing how Americans work, play, and shop. The company’s microprocessors are at the heart of countless devices, making it a silent partner in the digital revolution.

Grove’s journey from refugee to industry leader is a powerful example of resilience and vision. His work at Intel helped lay the groundwork for the tech-driven shopping experience we enjoy today.

12. Budweiser Was Brewed by a German Immigrant

Raise a glass to Adolphus Busch, the German immigrant who helped turn Budweiser into one of America’s most recognizable beer brands. Busch arrived in the United States in the mid-1800s and married into the Anheuser family, eventually transforming their small brewery into a national powerhouse.

Busch introduced new brewing techniques and a focus on quality that set Budweiser apart. He also pioneered refrigerated railcars and pasteurization, allowing beer to be shipped across long distances without spoiling—a game-changer for the industry.

Budweiser’s rise made beer a fixture of American social life and helped shape the modern beverage market. It’s a classic example of how immigrant ingenuity can redefine an entire industry and become a beloved part of American culture.

13. Apple Was Co-Founded by the Son of a Syrian Immigrant

When you pick up your iPhone or MacBook, you’re interacting with a company deeply connected to the immigrant experience. Steve Jobs, one of Apple’s legendary founders, was the son of a Syrian immigrant. His biological father, Abdulfattah Jandali, came to the United States from Syria, and though Jobs was adopted, his heritage is a testament to the diverse backgrounds that fuel American innovation.

Apple’s impact on American shopping is hard to overstate. The company revolutionized the way we buy technology, shifting the focus from utility to sleek design and user experience. With Apple Stores popping up in malls and city centers, the act of shopping for electronics became an event, not just a chore.

The Apple brand has become synonymous with cutting-edge technology and aspirational living. It’s a perfect example of how immigrant roots can blossom into world-changing enterprises, influencing not just what we buy, but how we buy it.

14. Chobani Disrupted the Yogurt Aisle with a Turkish Twist

Hamdi Ulukaya, originally from Turkey, came to the United States with little more than a dream. In 2005, he bought a defunct yogurt plant in upstate New York and set out to introduce Americans to Greek-style yogurt.

Chobani’s thick, creamy yogurt quickly caught on, sparking a revolution in the dairy aisle. The brand’s emphasis on natural ingredients and innovative flavors made it a favorite among health-conscious shoppers and helped reshape American eating habits.

Ulukaya’s commitment to hiring refugees and supporting local communities has also set Chobani apart as a socially responsible brand. His story is a powerful reminder that the American dream is alive and well—and still changing the way we shop and eat.