In town to headline a pair of Democratic fundraisers, President Obama stopped by a Gap store in New York City to pick up some gifts to bring back home while also commending the clothing chain for increasing its minimum wage.
The president told a sales associate in the nearly empty store that he was shopping for his wife and two daughters when he made the unannounced stop Tuesday afternoon.
After a quick scan of the options, Obama settled on a stack of sweaters. The employee recommended a V-neck, but the president was concerned.
“I’m worried the V-neck is going to slip,” he said, ultimately settling on a pink sweater for one daughter and a bright coral one for the other.
For the first lady, the president picked out a blue workout jacket.
"I think the ladies will be impressed by my style sense," Obama said.
As employee Sonia Del Gatto rang him up at the register, she told the president he was better looking in person. Obama laughed and had her “say that a little louder.”
Obama then had fun with the press pool traveling with him as he took out his credit card.
"Oh wow. So, you can sign the machine?" he said. As reporters started scribbling notes, he quickly told them: "I’m just teasing everybody. They had these around the last time I shopped."
After paying for his purchases, the president spoke about the importance of raising the minimum wage and praised Gap for taking the initiative to bump up employees' salaries.
"It's not only good for them and their families, it's also good for the entire economy," he said. "I want to congratulate the Gap for doing the right thing."
Obama is seeking a nationwide hike in the minimum wage, from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour.
The president told a sales associate in the nearly empty store that he was shopping for his wife and two daughters when he made the unannounced stop Tuesday afternoon.
After a quick scan of the options, Obama settled on a stack of sweaters. The employee recommended a V-neck, but the president was concerned.
“I’m worried the V-neck is going to slip,” he said, ultimately settling on a pink sweater for one daughter and a bright coral one for the other.
For the first lady, the president picked out a blue workout jacket.
"I think the ladies will be impressed by my style sense," Obama said.
As employee Sonia Del Gatto rang him up at the register, she told the president he was better looking in person. Obama laughed and had her “say that a little louder.”
Obama then had fun with the press pool traveling with him as he took out his credit card.
"Oh wow. So, you can sign the machine?" he said. As reporters started scribbling notes, he quickly told them: "I’m just teasing everybody. They had these around the last time I shopped."
After paying for his purchases, the president spoke about the importance of raising the minimum wage and praised Gap for taking the initiative to bump up employees' salaries.
"It's not only good for them and their families, it's also good for the entire economy," he said. "I want to congratulate the Gap for doing the right thing."
Obama is seeking a nationwide hike in the minimum wage, from $7.25 an hour to $10.10 an hour.
