A pioneer in the designer jeans industry, Guess? (NYSE: GES). makes a variety of fashion-conscious men's and women's clothing. You can find Guess? in over 350 retail stores through out the U.S. and Europe, not to mention popular department stores like Macy's and Bloomingdale's. The company also distributes its clothing through its website.

Guess? was one of the most popular denim brands of the 1980s. The company ran into a few issues, however, during the 1990s: namely pricing pressure from department stores and a trend towards baggier jeans. The latter is decidedly at odds with Guess' more European style. As Guess? struggled to adjust to changing market conditions, competing brands like, Polo Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein were poised to capitalize on the company's weakness.

(Read more at Wikinvest )