Gap, Incorporated (NYSE: GPS) is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California and founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and Doris Fisher. As of October 2006, Gap Inc. had approximately 150,000 employees and operated 3,139 stores worldwide in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Ireland, Japan, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and United Kingdom. Look up Gap in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Image File history File links Gap. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), nicknamed the Big Board, is a New York City-based stock exchange. ... San Francisco redirects here. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... San Francisco redirects here. ... Donald G. Fisher (born 1928) is a businessman. ... Drawing of a self-service store. ... Girls wearing formal attire for dancing, an example of one of the many modern forms of clothing. ... For the tax agency in Ireland of the same name, see Revenue Commissioners. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... USD redirects here. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about work. ... Look up slogan in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), nicknamed the Big Board, is a New York City-based stock exchange. ... San Francisco redirects here. ... Donald G. Fisher (born 1928) is a businessman. ... Doris Fisher (May 2, 1915 - January 15, 2003) was a United States singer and songwriter. ...

Donald Fisher retired as Chairman of the Board in 2004 and was replaced by Sabastion Gravano . The Fisher family collectively owns 37% of the company stock.^[1] The CEO of Gap, Paul Pressler, who previously ran the Disney theme parks resigned on January 22, 2007. Glenn Murphy was appointed chairman and CEO of the company July 26, 2007. Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... “Chief executive” redirects here. ... Paul Pressler was the president and CEO of Gap, Inc. ... Disney Parks Worldwide logo Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the division of The Walt Disney Company that conceives, builds and manages the companys theme parks and vacation resorts, as well as a variety of additional family-oriented leisure enterprises. ... is the 22nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... “Chief executive” redirects here. ... is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

History

Founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher, The Gap was to be Mr. Fisher's solution to the problem of a lack of customer service and fashionable styles present in department stores of the era. By creating a speciality shop dedicated to the sale of Levi's blue jeans, Mr. Fisher hoped to capitalize on the 'gap' that had opened in the market. fast toast Levis is a brand of riveted denim jeans manufactured by Levi Strauss & Co. ...

1969-1980

In 1969, Donald Fisher opened the first ever Gap store in a theatre annex on Ocean Avenue near San Francisco State University, the store's merchandise consisted of Levi's blue jeans and records and tapes, however the audio products were sold for a mere three months before being removed from the store. Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... Levis is a brand of riveted denim jeans manufactured by Levi Strauss & Co. ...

By 1970, Gap's sales had reached two million and a second store was opened in San Jose, California. Along with this second store Gap established its first corporate headquarters in Burlingame California, employing only 4 employees. The Gap continued to expand rapidly and by 1972-73 the Gap had grown to over 25 stores and had expanded to areas outside of California and was entering the East coast market with its store in Voorhees, New Jersey. In 1974, the Gap begins to sell private label merchandise in its stores. Year 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Voorhees highlighted in Camden County Voorhees Township is a township located in Camden County, New Jersey. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ...

1975 saw the creation of the chain of stores which specialized in selling discounted apparel, as well as the acquisition of "You & You" which had formerly been a New England based casual apparel brand. Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1976 was a landmark year for the Gap with the company going public in both the New York and Pacific stock exchanges with an initial public offering of 1.2 million shares. With the arrival of 1977 Gap introduces the labels "Fashion Pioneers", "Eaton Hill", and "Foxtails" which are sold in its stores. The company also launches two sub-brands; "Logo", based in California and Missouri, as well as "Brands" based in New York and New Jersey. In this year also, Gap moves its headquarters from Burlingame, to its well known location at 900 Cherry Avenue in San Bruno, California. Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1980 saw the incorporation of the "Brands" and "Pants %ff" chains into the Gap's new "Tagg's" chain. Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

Brands

A typical Gap G2K Style store

Banana Republic, formerly a catalog retailer selling safari themed clothing, was purchased by the company in 1983, and eventually was rebranded as an upscale clothing retailer in the late 1980s. Old Navy was launched in 1994, as a value chain with a specialty flair. Forth & Towne, the company's fourth traditional retail concept, was launched on August 24, 2005, in the Palisades Center in West Nyack, New York, featuring apparel targeted toward women 35 and older.^[2] On February 26, 2007, after an 18-month trial period, Forth & Towne was discontinued, and the 19 stores were closed by June 2007. Gap Inc. is expected to take a $40 million pre-tax expenses associated with the closing.^[3] A fifth brand, the online footwear retailer Piperlime, was created in 2006. ^[4] On March 5, 2007 Gap Inc, hired Egon Zehnder International to coordinate the search for a new chief executive officer to replace Paul Pressler. No deadline was given for the search. In 2004, Gap sold all of its German operations to the Swedish H&M, its main competitor in Europe. Image File history File links Gapstore. ... Image File history File links Gapstore. ... For other uses, see Banana republic (disambiguation). ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... The 1980s refers to the years from 1980 to 1989. ... Old Navy is a brand of clothing and chain of stores owned by Gap Inc. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Forth & Towne is a defunct brand of clothing stores owned by Gap Inc. ... is the 236th day of the year (237th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Palisades Center, often referred to as the Palisades Mall, in West Nyack, New York is the second largest shopping mall in the New York metropolitan area by total square footage, after Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York. ... West Nyack is a hamlet (and census-designated place) located in Rockland County, New York. ... is the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... June 2007 is the sixth month of that year. ... Piperlime is an online retail company that primarily sells shoes and was founded in 2006. ... This article is about the day. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Egon Zehnder International is a leading global executive search firm. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the former railroad, see Hudson and Manhattan Railroad. ...

Old Navy is a brand of clothing and chain of stores owned by Gap Inc. ... For other uses, see Banana republic (disambiguation). ... Forth & Towne is a defunct brand of clothing stores owned by Gap Inc. ... Piperlime is an online retail company that primarily sells shoes and was founded in 2006. ... A Pottery Barn store (left) in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. Pottery Barn is an American-based chain of home furnishing stores with stores in the United States and Canada. ... Williams-Sonoma, Inc. ...

Store count

Marketing strategy

The Banana Republic stores try to convey a more sophisticated image for an upscale customer, whereas Gap stores appeal to a broader midrange of customers. The Old Navy chain is designed to appeal to younger generation of customers by emphasizing "fun, fashion, and value" through a store experience that delivers "energy and excitement." Although Gap, along with other retail-store chains, has been criticized for blandness and uniformity in its selling environments, the firm maintains that it tailors its stores "to appeal to unique markets" by developing multiple formats and designs.[3] For other uses, see Banana republic (disambiguation). ... Old Navy is a brand of clothing and chain of stores owned by Gap Inc. ...

In some Major League Baseball parks, a Gap ad appears on outfield wall panels between left/right-center fields and centerfield, which is commonly termed "the gap".^{[citation needed]} Major Leagues redirects here. ... The position of the center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field - the baseball fielding position between left field and right field (e. ...

Price

Gap tries to reach the midrange customers, especially the youngsters. Thus, its products are priced above the discount and below the premium brand prices. Its prices are midrange.

Products

When Gap was founded in 1969, it was unique and new. Its target customers were younger generations. Gap's hottest seller at the time was its "basic" look, which consisted of its signature blue jeans and white cotton t-shirts. Its founders realized that jeans were becoming popular among the younger generation of customers. Nevertheless, the company recognized that despite its popularity among the youth, there were not enough assortments of jeans in the clothing outlets. Capitalizing on this deficit was merely the next step in expanding. Gap's founders were sure that jeans could be sold through a chain of small stores devoted solely to that product.[4] As this business idea became successful, Gap expanded its line of offering and now Gap offers a range of clothing for men, women, and children. As Gap's business began to boom, it also began to expand. Gap Inc. added two new entities to its company, Banana Republic and Old Navy. All three chains have their own target markets. Banana Republic is known for its casual luxury, with high-quality apparel. Banana Republic tailors its store to appeal to the unique market of pleasing the most fashion conscious consumers. [5] Old Navy has redefined value-priced apparel retailing by making shopping fun and fashion affordable for customers of all ages. Old Navy is focused on the value driven segment of the fashion conscious population. For other uses, see Banana republic (disambiguation). ... Old Navy is a brand of clothing and chain of stores owned by Gap Inc. ... For other uses, see Banana republic (disambiguation). ... Old Navy is a brand of clothing and chain of stores owned by Gap Inc. ... Old Navy is a brand of clothing and chain of stores owned by Gap Inc. ...

Gap also owns an online shoe store called Piperlime, selling shoes for all ages.

Promotion

Gap's promotion strategy has been blamed for the company's bust. Due to lack of a clear message, it has been alleged that Gap has lost contact with its core customers[6] which the company is attempting to win back. Gap is the only national retailer to spend more than 2% of its marketing budget for online marketing. [7] Gap promotes its products through gift cards, catalogs, advertising programs on TV channels and magazines. Gap tries to position itself as a stylish casualwear retailer in a fair price. However, its marketing efforts to reach out to upperclass, luxury consumers is blamed for recent problems in the company.[8] Scrip is any substitute for currency, which is not legal tender. ... Look up catalogue in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In addition, Gap's garment designs and products varies from North America and Western Europe. Products sold in the United Kingdom and Western Europe are targeted towards a European sense of style, whereas the Gap's North American garments and accessories are designed particularly for North Americans.

Place

Gap's main opportunity to reach its customer is through its stores. Gap operates stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Korea and Japan. The Gap, Inc. also has franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Gap or Gap and Banana Republic stores in Singapore, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Indonesia. As of February 3, 2007, The Gap, Inc. operates a total of 3,131 store locations. [9] This article is about the Korean civilization. ... This article is about the Korean civilization. ... is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Trademark dispute

The company owns a trademark to its name, the "Gap", which is also a common English word with multiple definitions. This has lead to conflicts over use in other products and locations. For example, the company threatened litigation against Bootleg Gap, a golf course in Kimberley, British Columbia, named after an opening in the nearby Bootleg Mountain. After three years of negotiations, and lacking the funds to defend itself in court, the golf course agreed to remove the word "Gap" from its restaurant and 27 holes. It also renamed its clothing line "Bootleg Golf." The legal costs from the negotiations delayed landscaping and cart paving projects for the golf course.^[5] Kimberley Bavarian cuckoo clock Kimberley is a small mining town in British Columbia, Canada, located in the southeastern tip of the province, along Highway 95A in between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains. ...

Contrary to the urban myth that GAP stands for Gay and Proud^{[citation needed]}, the name originated from the phrase "the generation gap".^{[citation needed]}

Labor practices

In 2003, The Gap, along with 21 other companies, was involved in a class action lawsuit filed by sweatshop workers in Saipan. The allegations included "off the clock" hours, where workers were not paid for working overtime, unsafe working conditions, and forced abortion policies.^[6] A settlement of 20 million dollars was reached whereby The Gap did not admit liability. ^[7] Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... In law, a class action is an equitable procedural device used in litigation for determining the rights of and remedies, if any, for large numbers of people whose cases involve common questions of law and fact. ... Sweatshop is a pejorative term used to describe a manufacturing facility, usually a garment manufacturing facility, where working conditions are poor and workers are paid little. ... Saipan seen from the air A map of Saipan, Tinian & Aquijan Saipan (IPA: in English) is the largest island and capital of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a chain of 15 tropical islands belonging to the Marianas archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean (15°10... Look up Settlement in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

In 2006, an online advocacy group, Labour Behind the Label issued a report naming The Gap a top-rated company among 37 UK retailers it evaluated^{[citation needed]}. Another group, Letscleanupfashion.co.uk reported that although not complete the supply chain compliance is the most sophisticated they had seen, and that the company has taken significant steps to resolve the systematic abuses of workers rights.^{[citation needed]} Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Labour Behind the Label (LBL for short) is a campaign for workers rights in the clothing industry. ...

The Gap actively participates in the "Joint Initiative on Corporate Accountability and Workers Rights" and is independently assessed by the Social Accountability International (SAI) and Verite. GAP encourages its vendors to be SA8000 certified based on standards of International Labour Organisation conventions.^{[citation needed]} SA8000 is a global social accountability standard for decent working conditions, developed and overseen by Social Accountability International (SAI). ... For other meanings of the ILO abbreviation, see ILO (disambiguation). ...

The company also inspects factories for compliance with its internal standards. ^[8] These standards include requiring suppliers not to employ persons under the age of 14, that wage payment is clear, regular, and in accordance with work contracts, and that factories do not permit physical or non-physical abuse.

In 2007, Ethisphere Magazine (an industry publication) chose The Gap from among thousands of companies evalued as one of 100 "World’s Most Ethical Companies." ^[9] Gap Inc. was ranked 25th by CRO Magazine, another industry publication that is a successor to Business Ethics magazine, in its “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list in 2007.^{[citation needed]} Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Nevertheless, the company draws continued criticism over labor practices. In May 2006, adult and child employees of Western, a supplier in Jordan, were found to have worked up to 109 hours per week and to have gone six months without being paid. Some employees claimed they had been raped by managers.^[10] May 2006 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- → May 1, 2006 (Monday) Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association outraged Vatican by planning to ordain another bishop, Liu Xinhong in Anhui Province. ...

On October 28, 2007, BBC footage showed child labour being used in Indian GAP factories^[11]. GAP has denied that it was aware of such happenings and that it is against its policy to use child labour. The one piece of clothing in question - a smock blouse - was removed from a British store and will be destroyed. GAP also promised to investigate breaches in its ethical policy. is the 301st day of the year (302nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... Child labour or labor is the phenomenon of children in employment. ...

Product Red support

Product Red logo

Gap is taking part in the Product Red campaign (www.joinred.org). As a result, Gap released in spring 2006 a special RED collection, including a t-shirt manufactured in Lesotho from African cotton. The expanded Gap Product Red collection was released October 13, 2006. A percentage of the profits will go to the Global Fund. Gap is also continuing on with Gap Product Red items in the New Year, especially in the lead up to Valentine's Day, using words like Desi(RED). Product Red has now contributed over $45 million to the Global Fund, more than any other private donation received to date. Image File history File linksMetadata Logogapred. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Logogapred. ... Product Red (styled (PRODUCT)RED) is a for-profit brand which is licensed to partner companies such as American Express, Apple Inc. ... is the 286th day of the year (287th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tuberculous lungs The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is a UN-related organization whose purpose is to finance programs that purport to prevent and treat patients with AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, three major threats to health on a global scale. ... Product Red (styled (PRODUCT)RED) is a for-profit brand which is licensed to partner companies such as American Express, Apple Inc. ...

Other launch partners include American Express, Apple Inc., Converse, Emporio Armani and Motorola. American Express (NYSE: AXP), sometimes known as AmEx or Amex, is a diversified global financial services company, headquartered in New York City. ... Apple Inc. ... For other uses, see Converse (disambiguation). ... A shop in Central, Hong Kong Emporio Armani is a Giorgio Armani brand. ... Motorola Inc. ...

Celebrities in ad campaigns

Gap is well known for featuring celebrities in its print and television advertisements. They have featured over 300 celebrities of various stature in their campaigns.

Management reshuffle

On January 23, 2007, Gap announced that it was replacing CEO Paul Pressler with Robert J. Fisher, chairman of the board and son of the company's founders, and who would lead Gap on an interim basis as it searched for a new CEO. The board's search committee would be led by Adrian Bellamy, chairman of The Body Shop International and include founder Donald Fisher. The company said it would "focus its efforts on recruiting a chief executive officer who has deep retailing and merchandising experience ideally in apparel, understands the creative process and can effectively execute strategies in large, complex environments while maintaining strong financial discipline." Robert Fisher stressed his personal ties and 30-year professional history in operating roles at the company and as a board member. He started with the company in 1980 as a store manager and worked his way up the company's merchandising ranks and senior executive leadership positions, including president of Banana Republic and the Gap units. He had joined the board in 1990.^[12] is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Paul Pressler was the president and CEO of Gap, Inc. ... Robert J. (Bob) Fisher serves as the interim chief executive officer of Gap Inc. ... The Body Shop in Downtown Toronto, Canada. ... Look up its in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

On February 2, 2007, CEO Bob Fisher announced that Marka Hansen, a 20-year veteran of the company who headed the Banana Republic unit, was chosen to lead the Gap unit, replacing Cynthia Harriss, who had been hired by former CEO Pressler in 2004. Hansen had held a variety of positions with the company, mostly in merchandising. Jack Calhoun, an executive vice president for marketing and merchandising became interim president of the Banana Republic unit.^[13] is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Cynthia Harriss is an American retail and tourism industry executive, most noteable for her senior roles with Gap Inc. ...

In May 2007, Old Navy laid off approximately 300 managers in the lower volume Old Navy stores to help streamline costs in stores. May 2007 is the fifth month of that year. ...

On July 26, 2007, Gap announced that Glenn Murphy, previously CEO of Shopper's Drug Mart in Canada, was announced as the new CEO of Gap Inc. is the 207th day of the year (208th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ...

Board of directors

• Howard P. Behar
• Adrian D. P. Bellamy (1995)
• Domenico De Sole
• Donald G. Fisher (1969)
• Doris F. Fisher (1969)
• Robert J. Fisher (1990), Chairman (2004)
• Penelope L. Hughes
• Bob L. Martin
• Jorge P. Montoya
• James M. Schneider
• Mayo A. Shattuck III
• Kneeland C. Youngblood

Donald G. Fisher (born 1928) is a businessman. ... Robert J. (Bob) Fisher serves as the interim chief executive officer of Gap Inc. ... Mayo A. Shattuck III (b. ...

Leadership

• Chairman of the Board of Directors:
• Chief Executive Officer:

• President, Banana Republic Brand: Jack Cambell, (interim)
• President, Gap Brand:
• President, Gap, Inc. Direct:
• President, Forth & Towne Brand: Gary P. Muto (to be discontinued by June 2007)
• President, Old Navy Brand: Dawn Robertson
• President, Europe: Stephen Sunnucks

• Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Business Development: Art Peck
• Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer: Byron H. Pollitt, Jr.
• Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Communications: Eva Sage-Gavin
• Chief Legal and Administrative Officer: Lauri M. Shanahan

References

CNBC (an abbreviation for the Consumer News and Business Channel, its official name until 1991) is a group of cable and satellite television Business news channels from the U.S., owned and operated by NBC Universal. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... Gap, Incorporated (NYSE: GPS) is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California and founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and Doris Fisher. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ...

External links

• Gap
• Gap, Inc.