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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder how GAP keep afloat?

37 replies

EachandEveryone · 19/07/2018 14:03

I went in yesterday. Bought a couple of bits that were massively reduced. Denim jacket for £14 from £56 plus theres always a discount code on the phone. The clothes are ok if you want the odd piece but i wouldnt buy a full outfit there. They have huge reductions to me it seems 24/7 how do they keep going? I much prefer Old Navy their even cheaper version. How come that never came to the UK.

My sister even stops me ftom buying my nephew things from there despite the 4o% off because of the logo been everwhere.

Where did Gap go wrong? It used to be the highlight of a US holiday in the early 90's.

OP posts:
Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 19/07/2018 14:07

I've been wondering for years how they stay afloat - I think it must be men's clothes sales, and maybe children's stuff.

Synecdoche · 19/07/2018 14:09

I think I am singlehandedly keeping Gap going 🙋‍♀️

I order 95% of my clothes from there, mainly because I know exactly what size I am there, they do a decent Tall/Long range and use a lot of natural fibres so everything is lovely and soft. I find it lasts really well too.

Toohotme · 19/07/2018 14:14

I have reached my 50s and never ever bought a single thing in gap.
I love fashion and shopped a lot when I was younger and it was just not my style. I tried on about ten pairs of jeans in there once and none fitted. Not sure who their market is especially these days.

KC225 · 19/07/2018 14:14

I really like their kids stuff but only ever buy it in the sales. It's really cheap and quick to have it delivered to Europe too.

Women's t.shirts have been poorer quality the last couple of years, so I have stopped buying those.

milkmoustache · 19/07/2018 14:17

I like their Chino trousers, got some nice summer PJs, but that's about it. Their range of colours is pretty dull, so I usually leave quite quickly.

AveABanana · 19/07/2018 14:19

I used to buy there quite a bit but then the tshirt quality dropped drastically and the sizing got a bit bizarre. Now even with the constant 30% off vouchers floating around I don't buy anything.

GodivaEater · 19/07/2018 14:23

My local branch looks like it’s closing down all the time, it’s a bit of a jumble and most of it is on sale. It’s still my go to shop because I know my size in there and I like simple clothes, but Esprit is a bit more interesting these days. Gap stock seems to be the same every years.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 19/07/2018 14:23

And also their clothes come up big but their underwear is tiny!

OP posts:
IToldYouIWasFreaky · 19/07/2018 14:42

I buy a lot of jeans in there as they seem to fit me, and the odd jumper/cardigan etc. I agree about the quality of t-shirts though - really gone downhill!

Their pricing model drives me nuts though! Everything full price is just ridiculously over-priced to take account of the permanent 30% discount offers.

gunnyBear · 19/07/2018 14:43

I think their clothes tend to be quite well made but are basic as opposed to quick fashion which people have grown to expect with H&M, Primark etc.

Their style has stayed the same but fashion has moved on.

I love GAP pyjamas but don't think I've bought anything else from them for years.

Yokohamajojo · 19/07/2018 14:48

I do find their sizing bizarre but I have a few chinos and shirts that I love, very hit and miss though

Shaboohshoobah1 · 19/07/2018 14:52

I still buy loads from there. I dress really simply (jeans, shorts, tshirts) so it suits me perfectly. Quality isn’t as good as it was though. My kids like it too, and my husband. I rarely come out without buying something - maybe I am also keeping it afloat!

AgentProvocateur · 19/07/2018 15:00

I’m also keeping it afloat, as I buy from its petite range (I’m short but fat!) and their jeans fit me perfectly.

I also buy all new baby gifts from there as they come in a beautiful box.

DrZoidbergsTentacles · 19/07/2018 15:21

Love GAP, but i will only ever buy when they send me a 40% off voucher and that's so regularly, there really is no point paying full price.

BlueBug45 · 19/07/2018 15:25

I buy my jeans from Gap as their shape fits me though their sizing is off. The same style of jeans labelled as one size is always a slightly different size. I have maternity wear from Gap as well and have brought children's clothes as gifts.

Disquieted1 · 19/07/2018 15:32

I went to Next this morning to buy jeans and honestly couldn't work them out. Instead of sizes, they'd categorised them as spray-on, skinny, super slim, slim, regular and a few others I can't even remember.

I found it confusing and gave up and went to Gap. They didn't have what I was looking for either.

I'll have to persevere with my old battered and super comfy jeans.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 20/07/2018 18:58

I never find anything in Next either to be honest.

OP posts:
NWQM · 20/07/2018 19:02

Kids clothes are great when reduced. They are always reduced 😀

PatchworkElmer · 20/07/2018 19:03

I got DS lots of lovely clothes on their website just before Christmas. We don’t have one locally, but I had a meeting in a town that does last week, so I thought I’d pop in and get him a few bits. I bought nothing- it was mostly emblazoned with the logo, which isn’t to my taste at all. Anything that wasn’t was too small.

I might look online if the mood takes me.

Coldilox · 20/07/2018 19:07

Their skinny jeans are the best fit on me

carrie74 · 20/07/2018 19:13

Most of the kids' clothes come from Gap. Ah, the ubiquitous Gap hoodie!

I recently did a big order, needed more shorts and vests to cope with this weather, and I know they'll wash well and be 100% cotton. I also rate their sportswear.

We tend to visit the US annually, and always pick up loads of stuff, great for the kids, and basics. Old Navy on the other hand I find awful for me, ok for the kids, DH loves their linen shorts (and that's it).

carrie74 · 20/07/2018 19:14

Oh but I wish they'd bring back their Bowery Super Soft long sleeved Ts. I bought them in every colour years ago, and they really need replacing, but they've never done such a fab fabric since.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 20/07/2018 19:52

Old Navy but s great for long sleeved layering tshirts and Winter pajamas.

OP posts:
pandarific · 20/07/2018 20:03

Went in there recently and thought the same - you can actually get high cotton or all cotton plain clothing for a tenner rather than 35ish pounds for prettymuch everything in gap, but if people want to pay it they can of course. Utter rip off imo.

BertieBotts · 20/07/2018 20:06

TBH when their stuff is reduced it brings it into line with pricing at most other high street stores like H&M, Next, etc. So I am inclined to believe that their regular pricing is inflated and their reduced pricing is closer to what they actually would need to sell things for to make a profit. So even if most people buy things reduced, they are still doing OK, and because their items are nice, wear well and good quality people do tend to look at the full priced items as well and they must sell a good chunk of stock at full price too.