Are Gap in trouble?

[TwinkleTwinkleLittleEtoile]

Every day I get an email from Gap offering me 20/30/40% off. Are they in trouble and desperate for custom? I rarely buy for me, as their sizing doesn't always work.

Ditto Dorothy Perkins actually. I've not bought anything from there for a while. All my nearest shops of theirs have shut down.

[TealStar]

Not sure but I wouldn’t be surprised. Their in-store jumble sale-like merchandising is dreadful! Too many products cheapens the brands!

[TealStar]

Sorry brand not brands... 😄

[FridgeCut]

I only ever buy with their 40% off and only go into a shop for click and collect. But when I do go in they are fairly busy, I think the discounts work fairly well to encourage purchases. I buy my husband jumpers for work, shirts and pyjamas there. I buy some work out stuff, pyjamas and the odd basic for me.

They failed to put one of the items in my last order, so they refunded me for the item, honoured the price I paid and gave me 10% extra off and free delivery. They were bending over backwards to sort it out.

It will be interesting to see if they are still operating in the UK in five years, it does seem slightly iffy.

[Mulberrysilk]

I think it's just an American model of retailing. You're not really expected to pay what they're calling full price.

[Maudlinmaud]

I get the emails too. I loved gap when my dc where small but once they hit 5 and where no longer in baby gap sizes I mostly gave up. Not a fan of the stuff for me or dh.
I had wondered if they where in trouble, our local store is dead even on a Saturday.

[spiney]

I know! Used to love and rely on GAP. Now the store looks like a bargain basement retailer.

And I hate buying anything full price.

[BikeRunSki]

Me too. I go very hot& cold with Gap.10 years ago I could buy everything in the shop. Then them the quality went downhill, didn’t think much of the styling and they closed a lot of their shops. But I have recently bought a dress and some l/s Ts on line (heavily discountef) which I am really pleased with.

[TwinkleTwinkleLittleEtoile]

I should go into a Gap store and just try stuff on, figure out my size. Whenever I order it always goes back. I can't work out if I'm ordering the wrong size or I'm just not Gap shaped.

[Ttbb]

I have had this for a number of years, I just assumed it was how they did business.

[EssentialHummus]

I like them for basics and baby stuff, but only at 40% off!

[Maudlinmaud]

Actually I did buy dd some nice fur lined boots in store a few weeks ago, she wore them in a field and I threw them in the machine not holding much hope, but they came out like new. So I do rate the quality. I will probably have a peep soon to see the Christmas jumpers and long sleeve tops. But I never buy at full price.

[mintich]

With the discount, it just brings the price down to other high street stores (based on their baby clothes)

[TealStar]

BikeRunSki, I agree. I remember them doing the most amazing end of season sales and their products were well-made and individual. I bought a lush leather retro-style evening bag in there 13 years ago and it’s still going strong; a real classic. I think it was £7 down from £30! And they used to do cool tweed jackets which were trendy at the time. I never see anything interesting in there now; just loads of boring jumpers and boring stripey tops!

[plentyofshoes]

I get older ds trousers and shorts from there, but that is about it. I have found them to be good quality.

[PNGirl]

They are now in a cycle where nobody pays full price as the next code is around the corner but I think this works for them although may not have been deliberate. Their full prices are very high for the quality so they probably make an excellent margin at 40% off.

[BikeRunSki]

Yes TealStar I have a great black leather satchel I got from Gap about 12 years ago, which is getting battered but in good way. And a lovely cashmere V neck. Had some other lambswool jumpers of theirs too, but they were attacked by moths.

[mrsrhodgilbert]

Their huge store in Leeds closed some time ago. I wondered then if they were in trouble. I used to buy lots of baby/children's clothes there many years ago and dh still gets the odd shirt.

I've also noticed H&M stores disappearing, again the huge one in Leeds next to Gap and the one in my home town has just closed. Sad to see.

[Floisme]

Gap were probably my favourite store about 15 years ago but I was seriously pissed off when they closed both branches close to me. It kind of put me off shopping with them online, which is illogical when I will cheerfully order from Uniqlo - who are never going to open a store round here - but there you have it.

And I'm very sorry to say it but I think H&M are losing it too so I'm sad to hear they're closing branches but not entirely surprised.

[Lules]

I hope not. It's my favourite place for toddler clothes and I buy a lot of stuff there too. I find them the best fit for jeans.

[neveradullmoment99]

I used to shop there all the time. I never think about GAP when i am choosing clothes. Their website is uninspiring and the clothes look awful.

[ReluctantlyRedundant101]

Agree re H&M used to be one of my favourite stores but the sizing has got so random & I hate the last things I bought out of it (grey checked trousers & had to go up a size so they look a bit frumpy)
Also loved the boys clothes but the sizing for small boys is aged 2-4 & I've yet to meet a 2 year old who will fit into a 4 year olds clothes or vice versa!

[brogueish]

The only Gap local to me has recently been converted to a Gap Outlet. I think their constant discounting has ruined them. Who ever paid full price there?

[mrsrhodgilbert]

If H&M are in trouble I hope Cos and & other stories are safe. Cos is my favourite store now and having one in Leeds is costing me a small fortune but I love it.

[LadyPenelopeCantDance]

Their sister company Banana Republic closed all of their U.K. stores this year and moved to online only here. Shame as their office wear was fantastic and one of the only places to get decent petite trousers. Hopefully Gap won’t go the same way.