STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

blubirde · Chanel

What happened to the Gap?

jaymiek · Coach

I think you're right bluebirde. I've been reading about Gap's woes as of late and it seems to be like a combination of bad management and more boring products. Nothing seems to really inventive about their designs and that's why customers aren't buying.

Kitty · Hermes

Yeah, I was a closet Gap lover back in 2003 - but it has been downhill since. When they try to do trendy/hip stuff it's always just a little bit off and when they try to do basics they're not good enough quality/cut to really be basics. At least that's my opinion. I don't even bother going in there anymore.

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

In the retail industry we use a saying called the "three P's. Product , placement & People".

If any of those componets are off it usually results in bad business. In gap's case it is def the product (which has just gone down hill to boring in the last few years ) and the people, which in my opinion there employees suck. There placement is fine, (advertising is awesome) & there merchandise layout seems to be the best it can for what it looks like at the moment.

I think just like gap hit a huge road bump mid 90's there doing it again. They need a new relaunch method and they need to bring some pizazz into there stores.

Just my 2 cents ...

NCshopper · Hermes

Kitty wrote:
Yeah, I was a closet Gap lover back in 2003 - but it has been downhill since. When they try to do trendy/hip stuff it's always just a little bit off and when they try to do basics they're not good enough quality/cut to really be basics. At least that's my opinion. I don't even bother going in there anymore.

I completely agree. There stuff is never so exciting that I get the feeling that I *have* to have it. Plus, it goes on sale at such a deep discount that it's never worth paying full price. And their basics are just kind of blah. Their tees don't really hold their shape all that well and the quality is kinda flimsy.

I kinda feel the same way about Banana Republic now too, which is a shame because they've been my "go-to" store for such a long time for quality basics that last forever.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

NCshopper wrote:
I completely agree. There stuff is never so exciting that I get the feeling that I *have* to have it. Plus, it goes on sale at such a deep discount that it's never worth paying full price. And their basics are just kind of blah. Their tees don't really hold their shape all that well and the quality is kinda flimsy.

I kinda feel the same way about Banana Republic now too, which is a shame because they've been my "go-to" store for such a long time for quality basics that last forever.

i feel like it's a constant battle between the gap, banana, and j.crew for basics for me. j.crew is the front runner by far for me right now, but a couple of years ago it was banana, and once in a while i find some things at the gap.

i feel like the gap never has that interesting twist that makes me want to purchase the product. and if i do see it online and i like it.....i quickly lose interest as soon as i try it on because the fit is awful.

i totally agree with alliegurl though...the marketing is right on. they are doing the best they can with the product they are given.

small fry · Chanel

the only thing I find is jeans b/c they fit me well and they have last me a long time even after washing. The other items are blah basic and to expensive.

boobaby · Kate Spade

I feel the same way about BR, too. I even scored a F&F discount and couldn't find one thing I had to have. I have gotten some really great pieces at the Gap in the last year, but overall I'm not loving it. I also think its sad that suddenly Old Navy seems like the most innovative out of all three. But maybe that's just me.

I have also rediscovered J. Crew lately. For a while there, they were boring the crap out of me and nine times out of ten, I wouldn't pop in even if I was by one and had plenty of time to spare, but I think they've gotten more interesting lately.

lynnie · Chanel

i actually don't think Gap does a very good job marketing. They might have good commercials/advertising, but I really don't think its about that anymore, especially now that you can just fast forward through commercials. And even if they are doing a good job, when your competition is doing a better job- does good even matter? I think J. Crew was smart in sending out a catalog- it has helped define their aesthetic. Everything about the way they sell their product- store decor, font choice, tissue paper and receipt envelope, etc- is better than Gap or Banana Republic. Anthropologie is smart too with creating a good store environment- and they don't advertise at all. These stores are all basically competition- even if they are marketing slightly different target consumers. And honestly- i don't think quality varies all that much between any of them. I've seen good and bad at all the stores.
I think Old Navy is really doing well because they sell cute stuff and its cheap. I think the high/low thing is here to stay. You can buy all your clothes at medium Gap/Express price ranges and look presentable, or you can mix a few amazing designer pieces with cheaper pieces and look fabulous- yet it all averages out to cost the same in the end. So I think Gap is losing its fashion conscious customers, as well as losing those that just want good quality basics. Plus their sales are just RIDICULOUS, i know a ton of people that refuse to pay full price at Gap.
Also, somewhere along the way, "Gap" became synonymous (sp?) with plain, vanilla, blah--like another adjective for generic. They either need to make the best damn tshirts out there, or find a way to make their clothes special.

halah · Kenneth Cole

I wonder if they kind of pushed themselves out of the market with BR and ON. When I want cheap basics I'd much rather go into Old Navy because I don't feel like gap quality is much better than Old Navy. If I want nicer basics or better fitting pants I would go to Banana Republic before I would head to Gap.

e_doli · Dooney & Bourke

i totally agree that gap has taken a wrong turn. I have felt like that ever since gap redesigned their stores (2 years ago maybe?), they have sucked. they seem to be carrying less merchendise and what they do have is all really basic and boring. i used to be able to find unique cool stuff at gap, but i think i have bought a total of 2 items in the last 2 years (both on sale for less than $15).

sfcaligirl · Dooney & Bourke

AllieGurl wrote:
In the retail industry we use a saying called the "three P's. Product , placement & People".
If any of those componets are off it usually results in bad business. In gap's case it is def the product (which has just gone down hill to boring in the last few years ) and the people, which in my opinion there employees suck.

hey, watch it! i work for gap inc. and i don't "suck." we have extremely committed and talented people at gap. i'm so impressed every day by the phenomenal people that i work with.

blubirde · Chanel

I think it's like lynnie was saying - the mid-range stores just aren't appealing to me anymore. I refuse to pay $50 for a shirt at Express when I could find something comparable at a less expensive store. If I'm going to spend more $$$, I'd rather buy something higher-end.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Why I don't buy from the Gap:

Yuck. The problem is the designers. Remove and replace! If I wanted mom jeans and a frumpy or ridiculous shirt, I'd know where to go. Everything is plain and overpriced for what your getting. What's so hard about coming up with something cute and special?

Hedvig · Coach

Cortney1982 wrote:
Yuck. The problem is the designers. Remove and replace! If I wanted mom jeans and a frumpy or ridiculous shirt, I'd know where to go.

Those examples do look bad. Maybe they figured the time would be ripe for the fabulous comeback of mom jeans.

I agree that everything you see at the Gap nowadays is just blah, and even their tees manage to look unflattering on me.

subwolley · Kate Spade

The Gap has gone boring! What is with all the khaki?? I walked into the store a couple weeks ago and it was like bland oatmeal. Even if some of the styles are cute, the color is so boring. And the jean selection is crappy too. I was wearing the curvy jeans, but now they seem to be getting rid of the style. There's not enough options on the styles of clothing for me. At least at Old Navy they offer a rainbow of options in their basics.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

subwolley wrote:

The Gap has gone boring! What is with all the khaki?? I walked into the store a couple weeks ago and it was like bland oatmeal. Even if some of the styles are cute, the color is so boring.

Your right. I'm having this problem in a lot of stores besides Gap. All I have to select from is grey, tan, brown, and black. And if it does come in a color it's all wrong like a dark dreary or dull shade. If the items they had came in pink, lavender, baby blue, etc, they may find more sales!

On a positive note there are a couple things I like:

I'm not sure if the neck would sit right though.
The pants are great but only come in navy and black? It's Spring shopping time for goodness sakes! Lets see bright colors!
I like this but I don't want it cropped.

There was a few more cute things but they only come in BLACK, BROWN, NAVY and ugly SAGE!! Did prices in color dye skyrocket?

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

sfcaligirl wrote:

AllieGurl wrote:
In the retail industry we use a saying called the "three P's. Product , placement & People".
If any of those componets are off it usually results in bad business. In gap's case it is def the product (which has just gone down hill to boring in the last few years ) and the people, which in my opinion there employees suck.
hey, watch it! i work for gap inc. and i don't "suck." we have extremely committed and talented people at gap. i'm so impressed every day by the phenomenal people that i work with.

Im sorry that was very harsh of me to be so inclusive of all gap employees. I am sure you work with wonderful people and that you are a great employee. What I should have said is that at the local gaps near me the employees are not helpful, Most of them rarely smile, and the service is extremly poor.

To me the measure of a good employee is someone who is motivated, helpful, suggestive sells items that they know will work for the customer and has great product knowledge. I have never expierenced those things from gap employees in my area. Then again, There are only a few stores that actually live up to my expectations of what a great sales person is.

luckylily · Gucci

Meh. When I look at the Gap, I just see the same old stuff they've been selling for years. I've always found it a bit bland, and I haven't really shopped their much in the last 6 or 7 years. I guess I might notice a difference if I had shopped their more frequently. IMO, the Gap hasn't changed much, but my attention to detail and quality has changed significantly.

Karina · Chanel

i was just talking to my mom about this yesterday! even my 56 yr old mom thinks the gap is boring!