Gap

GAP structure

Since Gap Inc. believes that a strong brand is what drive the sales, it is structured along its brands. Each of the four Brands is operating under its own division in the company. Until February 2006 it had an International division that looked after all the stores located outside the USA. Each of the divisions have its own marketing team under the overall marketing division. This allows it to adapt for the specifics in the market segment it serves.

The international division will now be segmented and the country managers will be reporting directly to the brand managers for the specific brands stores.

Recommendations

1. Improve their world-wide distribution channels

2. Expanding the business to the potential markets like middle east (such as UAE)

3. Adding products for +44 years older men

4. Expand other brands globally

Appendix A

Milestones

1969

Founders, Don and Doris Fisher, open the first Gap store in San Francisco, California.

1976

Gap goes public, offering 1.2 million shares of stock on the New York and Pacific stock exchanges.

1983

Gap Inc. buys Banana Republic - then a two-store safari and travel clothing company with a thriving catalog business.

1986

Gap Kids opens its first store.

1987

Gap goes international opening its first store outside the U.S. in London, UK.

1990

babyGap is born.

Gap's first Canadian store opens in Vancouver, British Columbia

1993

Gap enters France, opening a department in Paris' Galleries Lafayette.

1994

Gap Inc's newest brand - Old Navy - debuts.

1995

Millard Drexler is named CEO of Gap Inc.

1997

Making shopping even easier for U.S. customers, Gap opens its Online Store at gap.com

2000

Gap delivers Gap Maternity in an online-exclusive debut.

Old Navy launches its Online Store at oldnavy.com.

Development

About 3000 stores with over 150,000 employees

Stores: USA, UK, Canada, France, Japan, Germany and now targeting Asian market.

Sells casual clothes, shoes and accessories

Fast growth though mass media advertising and outsourcing.

2001

Old Navy makes its debut outside the United States, opening12 stores in Canada.

2002

Paul Pressler