Building upon its solid performance this year,
Gap
Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today announced a new global brand structure
designed to fuel the company’s long-term growth. Gap Inc.’s five brands
and over 3,200 stores are currently located in more than 40 countries
worldwide, up from just eight countries in 2006.
With the start of the 2013 fiscal year, the company will bring together
its North American, International, Online, Outlet and Franchise
divisions under a single global executive for each of its Gap, Banana
Republic and Old Navy brands. In addition, to build upon the company’s
considerable online success and industry-leading technological advances,
the company will form a new Innovation and Digital Strategy team to
further its leadership position in this area.
"Our strong performance gives us the confidence to make this move to
bring each brand together with the goal of gaining market share around
the world and enhancing shareholder value,” said Glenn Murphy, chairman
and chief executive officer of Gap Inc. "The global teams will move even
faster in anticipating and responding to the ever-evolving needs of
customers, delivering consistently great product around the world.”
Effective November 5, the following members of the company’s management
team will begin to transition into their new roles in preparation for
the upcoming fiscal year:
At Gap brand, Steve Sunnucks, a 30-year retail veteran and the current
president of the Gap Inc. International division, will become Global
President, based in New York. Sunnucks brings to this new role extensive
global expertise having held senior leadership roles at retailers such
as Marks & Spencer and New Look, where he served as CEO. Mark Breitbard,
the senior product leader for the brand in the United States and Canada,
will take on an expanded role based in San Francisco as President of Gap
North America, reporting to Sunnucks.
"Steve is an accomplished fashion retailer who has significantly
expanded our International presence,” Murphy added. "I’m confident he
can build upon the success in North America, while also taking Gap to
the next level.”
Art Peck, the current president of Gap North America who has led the
successful resurgence of the company’s flagship brand, has been
appointed President of the new Innovation, Digital Strategy and New
Brands Division. Peck will build upon the company’s leadership position
in e-commerce and oversee further investments to provide our portfolio
of brands with world-class digital capabilities and expertise. He will
also guide the development and growth of the Athleta and Piperlime
brands.
At Banana Republic, Jack Calhoun, the established president for North
America, will become Global President and expand his focus to include
all channels and markets globally. Calhoun has grown sales by
positioning Banana Republic as the go-to brand for professionals seeking
modern and versatile workplace style. The brand’s top merchant, Julie
Rosen, will take on additional responsibility for the brand’s North
American performance, while continuing to lead global product, reporting
to Calhoun.
At Old Navy, as previously announced, Stefan Larsson, a veteran of
global retailer H&M, started earlier this month as Global President.
Jill Stanton, the former Nike executive who has served as a Creative
Advisor to Old Navy this year, joins the brand full-time overseeing all
aspects of product design, development and production, reporting to
Larsson.
Given the significant long-term opportunity in China for its brands, the
company announced that the current, dedicated team in Shanghai, led by
Redmond Yeung and Jeff Kirwan, will be overseen by Murphy in the new
fiscal year. Nancy Green, product leader for Old Navy, will assume a new
role supporting China with responsibility for guiding the product
assortment and merchandise for the market.
The company also announced that Toby Lenk, president of its online
division, will leave Gap Inc. in February 2013, after ensuring a smooth
transition. Lenk has indicated his desire to return to his
entrepreneurial roots. Under his leadership, the online division has
been a stellar performer and is expected to deliver $2 billion in sales
ahead of its 2014 goal.
"Toby and his exceptional team have consistently delivered for our
customers and shareholders,” said Murphy. "Our e-commerce team has
created a distinctive customer experience in the marketplace, and I am
deeply grateful of Toby’s leadership to the company over the past 10
years.”
The changes announced today build upon the successful shifts made in
2011 that brought together its specialty and outlet divisions and
established the Gap Global Creative Center in New York.
For more information on Gap Inc.’s global expansion and opportunity,
read Gap
Inc.’s global runway. For a list of the company’s Global Management
Team, go to www.Gapinc.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the "safe
harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All statements other than those that are purely historical are
forward-looking statements. Words such as "expect,” "anticipate,”
"believe,” "estimate,” "intend,” "plan,” "project,” and similar
expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements include statements regarding the following:
-
Long-term growth, gaining market share, and enhancing shareholder
value;
-
Expected management changes;
-
Building upon success in North America and in e-commerce;
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Additional investments to build digital capabilities;
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Significant long-term opportunity in China; and
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Expected online sales levels and timing.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause the
company’s actual results to differ materially from those in the
forward-looking statements. These factors include, without limitation,
the following:
-
the risk that changes in general economic conditions or consumer
spending patterns could adversely impact the company’s results of
operations;
-
the highly competitive nature of the company’s business in the United
States and internationally;
-
the risk that the company or its franchisees will be unsuccessful in
gauging apparel trends and changing consumer preferences;
-
the risk that the company’s franchisees will be unable to successfully
open, operate, and grow their franchised stores in a manner consistent
with the company’s requirements regarding its brand identities and
customer experience standards;
-
the risk that the company or its franchisees will be unsuccessful in
identifying, negotiating, and securing new store locations and
renewing, modifying or terminating leases for existing store locations
effectively;
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the risk that comparable sales and margins will experience
fluctuations;
-
the risk that updates or changes to the company’s information
technology ("IT”) systems may disrupt its operations;
-
the risk that natural disasters, public health crises, political
crises, or other catastrophic events could adversely affect the
company’s operations and financial results;
-
the risk that acts or omissions by the company’s third-party vendors,
including a failure to comply with the company’s code of vendor
conduct, could have a negative impact on its reputation or operations;
-
the risk that the company will not be successful in defending various
proceedings, lawsuits, disputes, claims, and audits; and
-
the risk that changes in the regulatory or administrative landscape
could adversely affect the company’s financial condition, strategies,
and results of operations.
Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to
differ can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended January 28, 2012, as well as the company’s subsequent
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These
forward-looking statements are based on information as of October 16,
2012. The company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its
forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it
clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not
be realized.
About Gap Inc.
Gap Inc. is a leading global specialty retailer offering clothing,
accessories, and personal care products for men, women, children, and
babies under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta
brands. Fiscal year 2011 net sales were $14.5 billion. Gap Inc. products
are available for purchase in about 90 countries worldwide through about
3,000 company-operated stores, about 250 franchise stores, and
e-commerce sites. For more information, please visit www.Gapinc.com.
