Mike Antonucci at the San Jose Mercury News took your complaints to the Gap’s top brass and got some interesting responses. They even responded to our editorializing about the Gap’s general state of failure with some upbeat sentences touting their own profitability. Whoops! We guess we were wrong and everything is just fine. Wait, what about the three-year sales slump, the recent layoffs, and the fact that same-store sales (the most important indicator of the health of a retail operation) have fallen in 12 consecutive quarters. Teehee! Sorry, we were sooo mean!
Gap also responded to your accusations of boring clothes by admitting that their products “haven’t resonated with customers” and by reminding you that their classic white shirts were just on the cover of Vogue.
When asked about the inconsistent sizing and ill-fitting clothing that so many Consumerist readers complained about, Gap had this to say:
“The sizing and measurement of our clothing remains the same, although thanks to new fabrications, the fits and silhouettes of our clothing have changed. For instance, like many apparel brands today, we use stretch fabrications in cotton and denim because many customers want a fit that’s closer to the body. For this fall, Old Navy’s new denim line offers three new fits, and Gap is in the process of reducing the number of styles in our stores to make it easier for our customers.”
Did that answer the question? What was the question again?
Oh yeah, the question was, “Why do you hate the Gap?” Check out the Mercury News for the rest of the response. It’s good stuff.
Antonucci: Gap answers critics on consumer blog [San Jose Mercury News]
Slumping Gap Cuts 1,500 Jobs [Forbes]
(Photo:Vogue)
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“For this fall, Old Navy’s new denim line offers three new fits, and Gap is in the process of reducing the number of styles in our stores to make it easier for our customers.”
Right. Because, as we all know, what the customer wants is fewer choices.
Well, the reason I don’t shop at the Gap is the Gap near me went out of business, because nobody was shopping there. I guess that reduced the choices a lot. As for Old Navy, I shop there and I can usually find something that I like that fits me right.
GAP (NYSE: GPS) board members are DUMPING this stock in the tens of millions of dollars at a time.
Do they know something?
[moneycentral.msn.com]
Is “frumpy” or “short-fat” one of the new “fabrications” or would that be more of an issue with the “silhouette”?
Face it, GAP. No amount of blaming the customer’s lying eyes for your poor quality is going to change the fact that the clothes we are trying on simply do not fit properly, cost WAY too much and just don’t look that great, even if they do fit properly/comfortably.
On a side note — I did stumble across some jeans on a sale rack that fit really well and are currently one of my favorites.
So, it’s not their sizing that’s changing, it’s my body’s ability to fit into their styles. Thanks, GAP — now I know it’s all my fault!
How about crappy quality clothes? I have 5-6 year old gap shirts that are still in good shape, but anything I’ve bought from old navy or gap in the last year or two barely lasts 6 months. Their quality has gone *way* downhill.
Maybe it’s because they keep hiring people like the marketing genius who came up with the “Dress Shirts” campaign – shirts – everyone wears them!
Or it’s just my well-employed middle aged ass (read – I have more money than some teenage twat) who want clothes that fit. I’m off to the Levi’s store – totally painless jeans buying even though they’re not as good as before the outsourcing.
@Franklin Comes Alive!:
Gap quality always seems to be a craps shoot. I have things that I’ve bought that have lasted forever, and I have certain articles which seem to fall apart. There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to it, unfortunately.
I think a lot of the fit problems stem from associates not doing their job. At my p/t retail job, we have many different jean fits as well as two shirt fit styles. Only when I started working there did I ever know that they existed, and I had been a shopper there for many years before. When larger people come in and zero in on the “Low-Rise Slim” jeans because of their wash, the associates should steer them towards the looser “Bootcut” or the plain “Loose” fits. On the flip side, some customers will only buy what is on sale and bitch about how it doesn’t look good. I do overall concur that Gap has gotten very expensive. I haven’t shopped there since the late 90s when they started closing stores where I lived. I went browsing through one a couple months ago and I was not impressed with the prices there when comparable goods were 20-30% lower in other stores. That and that particular store is staffed by a bunch of bitchy gay guys.
Well, my browsing experience with the Gap (10 or 15 years ago) was that it was boring, Walmart-quality mom-wear for three times the price. Oddly, my wife and daughter went in there the past weekend, mostly out of desperation. It seems my daughter is having a really difficult time finding flare-leg jeans that aren’t low-rise. And the Gap actually had what she wanted. They WERE, though, OMFG-$60 a pair!!!
Here’s hoping they last. I’m glad it wasn’t on my Visa…
@Franklin Comes Alive!: Yes! Yes absolutely yes! I just had the same problem. I used to happily shell out $15 for just 2 plain white undershirts because, to me, it was worth it to have an undershirt whose neck retained its shape and didn’t wilt. These things need to look professional underneath my dress clothes, etc.
My 8+ year old Gap undershirts are in better conditions than those I bought this year. Very sad. I now have no reason to buy anything from the Gap due to the drastic dip in quality.
Imagine that, people are willing to pay for quality.
Anyway, anyone have tips on where to buy quality men’s undershirts?
Oh, good — Old Navy is rehauling its denim line YET AGAIN, creating three new inconsistently-sized styles that don’t look good on 80% of women. I wonder how long this new system will last?
Oh, and I was in a Gap not three days ago, and those “classic” “contemporary” yet “modern” styles? Woof. They have a line of shirtdresses that appear to be essentially long men’s shirts — exact same thin cotton fabric — with a ribbon tie at the waist. What’s more, the dresses didn’t even fit the mannequins correctly — too baggy in some places, too tight in others. Even better, they cost SEVENTY DOLLARS.
@RonDMC: Banana Republic. I have yet to experience any quality issues with them.
@FreakyStyley: banana republic is also twice as expensive as the gap >_<
I don’t necessarily hate the gap, though I only find something I like in there about once in a blue moon. I have much better luck shopping for the BF there.
However, I do hate their bags. I once got caught in the rain with one and the blue from the bag transferred to the leather trim on the LV bag I was carrying. I was never able to get it out
Oh, hey! That was my comment about the craptacular quality control. Good to know that it’s not the pants that weren’t cut consistently, but my own body that was mutating into different lengths and widths within minutes in the dressing room! I should probably see a doctor about that.
I hate the Gap because the very first (and only) time I went in one, I had some pushy floor clerk following my every move trying to help me. Ask me once and then leave me alone. If I want your help, I’ll ask for it.
Easily the worst clothing shopping experience I’ve ever had and I’m not willing to give them a second chance.
@RonDMC: Actually Calvin Klein T-Shirts rock. They are some of the softest, most comfortable you can find, and they have held up through over 100 wash cycles.
Oh wait, the new ones i bought are nowhere near the same quality. Never mind.
That response is not encouraging, to me, about the future of the Gap. If they’re not willing at this point to admit that they’ve muffed it and will be improving quality and style, there’s no hope.
After reading the news article I sort of feel insulted. He didn’t address any of the concerns that were brought up and seemed to just blame the consumer.
The last time I was in the gap the sales people were snotty and treated me like I was going to steal something. I have not found anything even remotely interesting there in any of the recent glances in the store. If I am going to buy classics I am going to buy real classics and buy something with decent quality that will last.
I see no point in ever going back in a Gap store since they clearly have no interest in addressing the issues. Old Navy is out too. They have nothing anyone over 30 would wear and my kids refuse to wear anything they have carried in the last year.
I have classic clothes from Gap that I still wear: pencil skirt,
peg-leg (Laura Petrie type) pants. But I haven’t bought anything from
the Gap in five years. Their styling and quality is crap. For the price
I can find something better made and designed by one a department store
label or on sale at a smaller shop designer.
I went in to the Gap two years ago to replace jeans that were over ten
years old. My old Gap jeans fit great (with no stretch in them). Now
the Gap has like thirty? different cuts. Not one of them fit me or were
flattering. (I’m not fat but low rise and flaired is not a good look
for those of us with short legs.)
And all of the various “finishes” are weird. It isn’t just softened and
lightened: the fabric ends up looking like blue and white stripes.
(Plus they use chemicals that are poisoning people and the environment
in Mexico.)
Yeah, well that’s a whole other part of the problem with the Gap.
Labor. Another one that makes Levis look more appealing. But I can’t
buy Levis if their clothes don’t fit. Levis stopped making jeans that
fit me so that was why I switched to Gap.
Is it wrongful that I totally bought this shirt the other day?
Oops. This one:
To be fair I did buy men’s clothes this past year. They had some long
sleeved close-fit t-shirts and waffle-weave crews that were good deals
(at least after xmas). I wish they’d cut their clothes longer in the
sleeves and torso — or make a men’s “long” line for shirts and
sweaters.
@Skinny Bone Jones: Aye, I’ll be sure yer clogging dancing lad will like it, wee lassie.
Gap Kids. For kids. By Kids.
The simple fact is that Americans are not 93# anorexics that fit into clothes designed by some chain smoking wretch in The Village.
Well of course same-store results are down – there’s never anything to buy at a Gap. I’ve never ONCE found a pair of kahkis or jeans in my size – evidently every single guy in San Francisco is four feet tall or shorter, ‘cuz that’s what’s on the shelves. Oh, wait. Cargo shorts – for $49. I can find it cheaper and funkier at Target. What does that say?
In the last 10 years, Banana Republic has fallen to the Gap’s level of quality, the Gap has slid into Old Navy, and Old Navy has become disposable. My brother buys his 6 year old clothes at Old Navy, since he doesn’t wear them more than 6-8 months…
“Many customers want a fit that is closer to the body” – yeah, those customers with absolutely flat stomachs and not an ounce of fat anywhere. If you do not fall into that category, super clingy fabrics = NOT FLATTERING.
@chili_dog: Well obviously you don’t live in California. (snort) (gaffaw)
You know you’re in PR when you use an overly wordy phrase including the word “community” to replace a single word. For example, “many members of the investment community are optimistic about its prospects” instead of “many investors are optimistic about its prospects.”
@RonDMC: My boyfriend buys his undershirts at Nordstroms. I have no idea how much they cost, but they’re incredibly soft and seem to hold up well.
@B:
Seconded. Oh, and let’s not forget that Old Navy’s clothes, while often startlingly similar to The Gap’s (they are, after all, part of the same company), are generally much, much cheaper.
Side note: I always got a kick out of their “Long and Lean” style of clothing, if only because they had no concurrent “Short and Stumpy”, the silhouette more in keeping with my body type. Now, THAT’LL alienate a customer!!
I think their main problem with Gap is that they’re hellbent on being a “trendy twentysomething” store, not realizing that they’ve already been beaten by H&M, Charlotte Russe, New York & Company, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, and, hell, Old Navy. If they went back to being a “basics” store where everyone could shop, I’d gladly abandon American Apparel if the quality was comparable.
But yeah, that article was terribly insulting, and indicates that the company is on its way out unless there is a MAJOR change of leadership.
I got a nice new Gap t-shirt dress at the Salvation Army the other week. When I wore it for the first time it was clear to me why the like new garment was given away- the cute ribbon drawstring around the hip area made it rather uncomfortable to walk even when gathered slightly. I did a little surgery and inserted elastic in the casing, leaving ribbons on the end where it shows. It’s now wearable… but definitely poorly designed and wasn’t worth more than the $3 I paid for it!
Gap’s material and stitching quality has gone down drastically within the past 2 years.
Lower prices for lower quality is acceptable but not when Gap charges the same prices for poor quality (Old Navy level).
Tshirt quality has gone all the way down.
When you purchase Gap clothing you purchase better Old Navy style with Old Navy quality. When you purchase Old Navy clothing you purchase regular Old Navy style/quality, but at least you only pay Old Navy prices.
Gap lost its fashion appeal to many other brands out there and hasn’t done anything to try and regain its reputation.
Why do I hate the Gap? They have fugly clothes and stopped stocking the basics. Last winter I went shopping for normal basic things like long-sleeved t-shirts that aren’t transparent, and warm sweaters. What did the Gap have? Skimpy stretch spandex lightweight “sweaters” and layerable tank-tops and transparent short and long-sleeved t-shirts.
I have only had success with one type of Gap clothing: jeans.
If you need khakis, do yourself a favor and spring the extra $20 for Polo.
Pay for performance.
Why do I hate the gap? They are the Gap. I don’t even need a reason anymore, all of their faults have combined into one giant fault I have labeled “Gap”.
I don’t like the Gap because of vanity sizing! Everything is enormous on me. How can I try on seven pairs of jeans – all in the same numerical size – yet have them all fit differently?
@SisterHavana: I was also wondering how they came to the conclusion that customers want clingy clothes. I’m convinced that Gap’s upper management hasn’t set foot in a clothing store–any clothing store–in at least a decade.
Let’s see… the last time we were in Old Navy, last month, there were 4 clerks and 4 customers. All four customers eventually walked out because the clerks were too busy chatting about one girl’s love life to ever acknowledge the customers.
Even without the help of the clerks, it was impossible to find stuff, because it largely wasn’t there. The store looked bare in the women’s dept. because no one was stocking, and the few clothes that were there were odd – strange neck lines and hems on the shirts, pants that looked engineered to make butts look boxy, and early fall dressed for little ones that looked cheap.
Our last time at the Gap, same day as above, it was the same story, clerk-wise; no one offered to help find pants for my tall, thin teenaged daughter, and the shirts looked cheap and absolutely not worth what they were asking. They were much too busy joking and talking about what they’d have for lunch today. So, again, we left.
Macy’s, Dillard’s & Kohl’s, on the other hand, were unencumbered by boyfriend-traumatized clerks or empty shelves or odd, cheap looking clothes, and gladly took our money in exchange for jeans and shirts.
And the Children’s Place had sweet dresses for my youngest.
When we got home, I was so peeved that I sent email to Old Navy, but never got a response. So unless a miracle occurs, no more Gap or Old Navy.
My friend dragged me into Old Navy just this afternoon. Oh my god…seriously? They had this line of horizontal-striped tent shirts (?), like…tank tops that billow out from the shoulders, no waist or anything. Unless you have AA-cup breasts, it’s going to make you look preggy. I, for one, am not a preggy Midwesterner. I AM a DD-cup, though, so pretty much their entire line was out for me. Also, everything was gross and in gross colors and sack-like. And gross.
I don’t think I’ve set foot in a GAP since I was 15, so 10 years ago, and only then because my Dad insisted.
The Gap is so freakin boring, they should sell mattresses.
A few months ago when I couldn’t find anything resembling a basic jean in one of the stores here in LA, I went online to gap.com and tried to buy sandwashed boot cut jeans – the most basic damn style you can get – and there was NOTHING available in that style. I don’t mean just in my size, I mean in anyone’s size; there was literally nothing in stock.
When I called I was told this: “Well, we’re not focusing on jeans sales right now”. That attitude pretty much says it all, doesn’t it?
So, not to be outdone, the next day I called my broker and told him that I wasn’t focusing on holding onto my Gap stock right now.
I’ve worn Gap jeans for over 15 years (and I’m only 30). When I went in last time to replace some pairs that I’d worn to tatters I had to totally readjust ’cause they’d shifted all the “styles” around. Once I finally settled on the ones I wanted, I grabbed two different colors. When I got to check out, I was watching them ring the pants up and one pair rang up for $10 more.
I stopped them and said, “Hold on a minute – these are the same pants but one is ringing up $10 more. What’s the deal?!?”
They told me it was more expensive because of the “wash.” I stood there, incredulous. If I weren’t so addicted to their jeans, I’d never go back.
Gap = Old Navy = Abercrombie & Fitch = Banana Republic. Blah, what’s the difference! Mostly fugly, and overpriced to varying degrees.
@Lin-Z: Twice as expensive? Really? I doubt it, but sometimes you pay for quality.
@Ghede: LOL!
@nan: Vanity sizing. I didn’t know there was a name for it.
…we use stretch fabrications in cotton and denim because many customers want a fit that’s closer to the body.
…We’ve acknowledged that our Gap and Old Navy products haven’t resonated with customers recently
How do they NOT see the problem here?!?!