The Gap is an American clothing and accessories retailer that focuses on essential wardrobe items for men, women, kids, and babies. It is one of the oldest clothing stores in America. With a wide variety of styles and brands, Gap has been one of the most famous brands available today in the market. With some magnificent collections, the brand has quite a following in the younger demographics. It was founded by Mr. Donald and Doris Fisher (a middle-aged couple). Read more about Is there a difference between Gap and Gap Factory?
The gap factory sells clothes produced solely for selling at a lower price than usual products of the brand. Gap typically sells their lower-priced item at gap factory. These items lack the quality of the original brand but at the same item aren’t cheap looking. They have fashionable styles and are quite comfortable to wear.
Differences
Some differences that can help us differentiate the clothes made by the gap factory or just the normal gap are –
- Labels are different looking
- Gap factory jeans don’t have leather patches on them
- They are cheaper
- They can only be returned at gap factory retail store
- Their stitching, buttons are of inferior quality
- Their styles are limited
Job opportunities
There are plenty of jobs at the gap. Every year, Gap Inc. hires more than 20,000 people to fill its stores and corporate offices. Most of these jobs are available at Gap Inc.’s stores so you can work with other passionate individuals who want to serve great style to customers around the world. Even a high school can get a decent job like placing clothing on tables and folding them. They also give promotions fast.
Why shop at the gap?
Shopping at the Gap is a fun, cost-effective way to keep your wardrobe looking fresh. They have expanded from their basic jeans and t-shirt looks to much more fashionable outfits that are fun to wear. The Gap has an amazing selection because they carry so many different brands and designers. They can be very helpful as well! For example, if you are looking for something specific but don’t know exactly where it is, they will always help you out and direct you towards the nearest location that carries whatever you want. Their stores are designed to showcase their clothing and accessories appealingly. The locations are clean and well-lit, with plenty of mirrors around to help customers see how garments looked on them. The layout and atmosphere of the store give a feeling of calm and relaxation, which made the customer stay and purchase more items.
History of the Gap
The Gap was established in 1969. It is kind of an interesting story of how the brand was established. Donald Fisher was trying very hard to find some jeans that would fit him. This struggle inspired him to open a store where it would be easy for anyone to find pair of jeans they need and won’t have to comprise with a different size. Donald and Doris Fisher put around $63,000 to open their store at San Francisco’s Ocean Avenue. On August 21, 1969, the first gap store was opened in Sans Francisco. The store with its catchy name quickly gained popularity among the younger generation. In the beginning, it sold all the things that were made by Levi Strauss & Co. The second Gap store was opened in San Jose in 1970, and the couples establish their corporate headquarters a year after. By 1973, the gap had its stores over 25 locations across the country and finally started selling private-label clothing. The gap introduced gap brands of jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, and other types of clothing. They kept all the prices very affordable. To get as much attention as possible, The Gap carefully placed an eye-catching advertisement in local newspapers. In 1986, the first-ever gap Kids was opened. The first Gap store that was outside the U.S was in London. The Gap Company grew tremendously due to acquisitions of various brands started with the banana republic in the early 80s. The acquisitions have been taking place since then.
Some unknown facts about the Gap
- It was revealed that during the Lewinsky scandal when Monica Lewinsky was with President Bill Clinton, she was wearing a blue Gap shirtdress.
- The gap’s biggest success came from Old Navy in 1994, and within just three years, it earned over $1 billion in sales.
- When the gap changed its logo in 2010, it received a huge backlash and within a week, the old logo was back.
- Gap brought old-school khakis back in fashion in the 1990s.
- The gap is the largest specialty retailer in the country.
- The company has over 135,000 employees.
Final Words
Gap and Gap Factory are two different companies. The Gap, which is also known as the “Gap” or simply “Gap”, was founded in 1969 and is an American clothing company. It operates more than 3,000 stores worldwide. The Gap Factory was founded in 2007 and is a subsidiary of the brand The Gap specializing in affordable apparel for young women and men.
The gap factory is for those who are a bit low on the pocket but have to have the best of fashion. Some items aren’t available in the gap factory-like higher quality selvage denim is not available but the gap factory provides decent clothing to the ultra budget-friendly consumer and doesn’t compromise on style.
FAQs
Q What’s the meaning of the term “GAP”?
The brand name is based on the term “generation gap” when the brand was established in the 1960s, it was a different era with the growing difference between younger and older generations hence Donald Fisher used the name gap as it referred to the generation gap between different age groups that were there in the 1960s.
Q Who is a Gap Customer?
The Gap mostly targets the younger generation. The brand churns out innovative styles every year.
Q What are some sub-brands of Gap?
Today the Gap runs around five different brands of their own, including the standard gap label, banana republic, Old Navy, Intermix, and Athleta
