India responds to child labor allegations

India officially reacted on Tuesday to accusations of child labor that resulted in a recall of Gap clothing made in the country, with Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath implying that reports on such issues displayed ulterior motives. Activists say conditions in the workplaces are miserable--children work in poorly lit, cramped areas, often deprived of nutritious food and paid wages lower than the minimum standards.
This has to be stop. There just children being force to work in such poor conditions. I hope that by broadcasting this situation India would be under pressure to improve this situation.

Gap admits many overseas workers are mistreated

On Wednesday Gap Inc. acknowledged that many of the workers making the retailer clothes are mistreated and vowed to improve often shoddy factory conditions by cracking down on unrepentant manufactures. The mistreatment includes low pay, psychological abuse among problems disclosed in the company report.
This is very sad and wrong. Gap Inc. makes billions of dollars. It is their social responsibity that everything runs smoothly for their employees. If their is no workers to make the clothing then Gap can't sell their products.

Gap: Report of Kids sweatshop, deeply disturbing!

The president of Gap North America says a subcontractor accused of using child labor to sew Gap clothes in India has been fired and the Gap will not sell clothes made in the New Delhi sweatshop."We strictly prohibit the use of child labor," Hansen said in a statement. "Gap has a history of addressing challenges like this head-on, and our approach to this situation will be no exception.
I am happy that they fired this jerk. I find this very disturbing. I'm very happy that Gap Inc. did not encourage this. It was a very unwise decision that the subcontractor made. Child Labor is wrong everywhere!

Founders of the Gap Now Plan A Museum

Now the Fishers are looking to brand themselves, with plans for a new museum devoted to their personal trove of Modern art, an impressive collection that includes pieces from the likes of Chuck Close, Richard Serra and Alexander Calder. The museum will contain all of what Gap has accomplish over the years, includes building a 100,000-square-foot museum at the heart of the Presidio.
This is a good idea to get the public to come in and see where and how Gap Inc. started. Also it would draw other cultural institutions as well. I hope that the museum would be a sucess and that Fisher's collection is seen and known.

Who do he think he is?

James D. Watson, who shared the 1962 Nobel prize for deciphering the double-helix of DNA, apologized “unreservedly” yesterday for comments reported this week suggesting that black people, over all, are not as intelligent as whites.
This is a ignorant statement. If this was a black person that said this about a white person. It would have been broadcast all over the world. It goes to show you how the world still works. He was better off not saying anything at all.

California Blazes

As winds abated today, air tankers began an all-out assault on the fires in southern California, but thousands of houses remained threatened as firefighters continued their struggle to contain the blazes that have scarred the region since Sunday.
It is very terrible that this had to happen. Many people lost their homes and all that they had. This wildfire created a disaster it burned through nearly 500,000 acres and displaced half a million residents over 5 days.

Gap Casts for Kids

The Gap has again teamed with Kodak to conduct its annual “Casting Call Contest" for new youth models.
Consumers are encouraged to submit photos of their children via the online Kodak Gallery service through Oct. 24. The winners will be featured in select Gap marketing materials and receive $3,000 store gift cards, children’s book collections and Kodak prize packages including digital cameras. The 20 finalists all receive trips to a Gap photo shoot in San Francisco.
This is a good idea to help get children into the business. It will also be entertaining for the children.

Gap Inc. Team in Hong Kong wins Global award

On October 22, 2007, $50,000 Grant Goes to a Nine-Member Team Working to Expand a Learning Program for Under-priviledged Children in Hong Kong.The members of the team all work with Hong Kong-based Summerbridge, a tuition-free nonprofit organization that provides summer and after-school enrichment programs. It aims to help 13-to-15-year-old students strengthen their English language and leadership skills – and build self esteem.
I think that these members are good role models for the children. They have dedicated their time and put in a lot of effort. It will help make a difference around the world.

Gap Inc. Culture

At Gap Inc., people are encouraged to make a difference. A difference in their jobs, to the business, and in their communities. They have a diverse group of employees who have a lot of responsibility at early stages in their careers. So what kind people are right for the Gap? People who take balanced risks, who take ownership in what they do, and people with creative minds and big ideas to ensure that the brands continue to have a point of view. The retail business demands creativity and innovation, and their work environment allows for it. Gap Inc., is a company that strives for integrity in everything they do.
It is considerate that Gap Inc. allows their employees the right to tell their ideas. It also helps the company to build a relationship with their staff.

Gap Current Overseas Push

The San Francisco clothing chain is expected to announce a franchise agreement with Dubai-based retailer Al Tayer Group to open Gap (GPS ) and Banana Republic stores in five markets in the Middle East.
By pushing into non-Western countries, Gap is hoping to sell masses of young, sophisticated Asian and Middle East shoppers on its trademark jeans, casual pants, and t-shirts. Gap's current overseas push comes as the company is trying to reverse a trend of declining sales. They believe that they can attract consumers in these areas.
I think that this will benefit Gap Inc. because it introduces other parts of the world to Gap Inc. It will also help reduce financial risk for the company.
Gap Inc. message is to promoting "fresh casual American style" and Banana Republic's image of "affordable luxury." If people can afford the clothing and they like the style chances are their going to buy it.

Global Business

As an international specialty retailer, Gap Inc. leveraged its brand to educate and inform people on the world's AIDS crisis. Through its partnership with (PRODUCT) RED, Gap provides stylish, affordable clothing and channels the sales of these products into positive change.
I think that this is very important that Gap Inc. has made the commitment to help fund this global campaign. Gap's partnership with (PRODUCT) RED benefits everyone. Gap benefits by creating great clothes that customers love, the Global Fund benefits because they receive a sustainable flow of funds through Gap (PRODUCT) RED contributions, and Africans battling HIV/AIDS benefit as recipients of Global Fund programs and services. This can make a big change and save many lifes.

Gap Introduces Inspirational Marketing Campaign to Celebrate First Anniversary Of Global Launch Of Gap (Product Red)

SAN FRANCISCO – Oct. 3, 2007 – Gap is proud to introduce its latest marketing campaign for (PRODUCT) RED, a for-benefit brand designed to help eliminate AIDS in Africa. Since launching last year, (PRODUCT) RED has contributed more than $45 million to the Global Fund to finance programs that help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.
I think that this is a huge success. It is nice that Gap Inc. has contribute to helping people in need. This can help educate awareness in others to protect themselves against the disease.

Lawsuit Filed Against Gap Inc.

A south Florida women started a class action lawsuit against Gap Inc., after the company admitted computers containing the personal information of hundreds and thousands of job applicants were stolen. Gap Inc. has offered to pay a year worth of money to monitor the security on her credit information. Both her and her attorney feel this is not enough.
I believe that this women is right to file a lawsuit against Gap Inc., for the simple fact that she can be at risk for a lot of things. What Gap Inc. offer is not enough because it only last for a year. What happens after that? She will be on her own. When a person fills out a application you should trust and believe that your information is confidential and protected. At this day and age identities are being stolen without even caughting the person.

E-Commerce Report

Gap Inc. recently shut down its website while it worked on the "Too many clicks problem". The company turned away thousands of customers and millions of dollars in business. This gave Gaps competitors a big leap to try to catch up.
I think that Gap Inc. lost out on a lot of customers because a lot of customers shop online. In this case it can cause customers to go elsewhere. This will give Gap's competitors the upper hand.

Gap Inc. & Piperlime e-commerce

Piperlime joins Gap Inc.’s established portfolio of apparel e-commerce websites – Gap.com, BananaRepublic.com and OldNavy.com – and enables its customers to put together complete looks, from head-to-toe. Piperlime’s customers will receive free shipping and free returns on every order, along with 24-hour customer service via phone or email. Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy credit cards are welcome at Piperlime, and customers can earn and redeem reward points on the website. This is a good idea to get customers attention. Anything free will keep the public eyes open. Also, it is very convenient for customers. They can use the same credit cards that they use at the Gap, Old navy, and Banana Republic. Which helps save time.

Gap Inc., Breast Cancer

Fill the Gap Inc. in a collaborative partnership with Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine Hospitals, provides a telephone helpline for those who are processing the news that they, or a loved one may have breast cancer. I think that this is a good idea. It will help bring hope to people. They would know that theres people out there that supports them and that their not alone.

Gap Website

Gap Inc. is a clothing store. It deals with sales. On the internet the site promotes Gap clothing. You can browse the site to see what clothes you want and size. The company has built its brand on basic casual styles for men,women and children. Their other chains are Gap Body, Gap Kids, Baby Gap. Gap controls all aspects of its trademark casual look.
Gap Competitors are Abercrombie and Fitch, American Eagle, and J. Crew

Gap Inc. News

On 9/28/07, it was announced that a laptop containing personal information of certain job applicants was recently stolen from the office. The company begun notifying the job applicants whose S.S# were included.
This situation is bad, because a lot of people identity can be stolen. However, Gap Inc. deeply regrets this incident and is offering them a year of free credit monitoring services with fraud resolution assistance.

Gap 2007 Fall Commerical

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUZrxxymSpQ

Competitive Strategy

Unlike some of its competitors, Gap has kept its focus on what works in apparel. Gap's creative team works to restock Gap shelves with new products every six weeks, keeping the retail ahead of imitators in the fast-paced fashion industry. The company isn't shy about pouring money into advertising.
Perhaps even more important is the company's "market segmentation" strategy. Rather than integrating the various customers, income levels and lifestyles that the Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy collectively target, each has thrived as a distinct entity - while avoiding the constant rumor of a sell-off. This strategy has allowed for three sales avenues, three growth strategies and three different audiences; putting Gap Inc. in equal competition with the sophisticated style of Ann Taylor and the bargain clothing at J.C. Penney. In its first four years of operation Old Navy topped the charts with $1 billion in annual sales, an unmatched feat in the history of specialty apparel retailing.

Gap Inc. social responsibiltiy

Target Causes
As a global retailer, we believe it's important to work in communities where we do business, and we recognize the need to take a focused approach to have long-term impact.
To achieve this, we're emphasizing two key target groups and causes. In developed countries, we focus on underserved youth and our cause is career exploration and job readiness education. In the developing world, our target is women and our cause is work and life skills education to help women advance and break the cycle of poverty.
Youth
Youth ages 12-18 are our focus in the developed world.
Learn more
Women
Women ages 18 – 30 are our focus on in the developing world.
Learn more