Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) today opened its first Banana Republic Factory Store
and Gap Factory Store in Canada. The openings will broaden the
accessibility of Gap Inc. brands, while reaching new value conscious
customers in the Canadian market.
"During our meeting with investors last week,
we described our focus on improving our core brands while we also
identified growth opportunities in our International and online
businesses,” said Art Peck, president of Gap
Inc. Outlet and EVP of Corporate Strategy and Operations. "Bringing
our Outlet brands to Canada is a perfect next step in our growth
strategy, as we match our Canadian customers with the strongest value
expressions of our brands.”
The Outlet division stores will be named ‘Factory’
stores in the Canadian market and will offer Canadians a combination of
style, quality and value along with on-trend fashions. Banana Republic
Factory Store customers can shop affordable women’s
and men’s wear to work and weekend looks. Gap
Factory Store customers will find American classic clothing and
accessories for women, men, kids and baby at surprising prices.
Started in 1994, the Outlet division has grown to several hundred Banana
Republic Factory Stores and Gap Outlet stores currently in the United
States, United Kingdom and Japan. The first stores in Canada are located
at the Vaughan Mills Mall in Ontario.
Gap Inc. operates 188 Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores across
Canada, including the two Outlet stores just opened today.
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, without limitation, statements
regarding growth opportunities in our international and online business.
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 our franchisees will be unable to successfully open,
operate and grow the planned Gap and/or Banana Republic branded apparel
and accessories stores; the risk that the company will be unsuccessful
in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences; the highly
competitive nature of the company’s business
internationally and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which
are influenced by numerous other factors; the risk that the company will
be unsuccessful in implementing its strategic, operating and people
initiatives; the risk that adverse changes in the company’s
credit ratings may have a negative impact on its financing costs,
structure and access to capital in future periods; the risk that changes
to the company’s IT systems may disrupt its
operations; the risk that trade matters, events causing disruptions in
product shipments from China and other foreign countries, or an
inability to secure sufficient manufacturing capacity may disrupt the
company’s supply chain or operations; the
risk that the company’s efforts to expand
internationally through franchising and similar arrangements may not be
successful and could impair the value of its brands; 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 the company’s
reputation or operations; and the risk that the company will not be
successful in defending various proceedings, lawsuits, disputes, claims,
and audits; any of which could impact net sales, costs and expenses,
and/or planned strategies. 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 February 2, 2008.
Readers should also consult the Company’s
quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended August 2,
2008.
These forward-looking statements are based on information as of October
24, 2008. 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
brand names. Fiscal 2007 sales were $15.8 billion. Gap Inc. operates
more than 3,100 stores in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada,
France, Japan and Ireland. In addition, Gap Inc. is expanding its
international presence with franchise agreements in Asia, Europe, Latin
America and the Middle East. For more information, please visit
gapinc.com.