Company Description
Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) is described as a house of iconic American brands and the largest specialty apparel company in the U.S. Its portfolio includes well-known clothing and accessories brands such as Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Across these brands, Gap Inc. offers apparel, accessories, and lifestyle products for men, women, and children, connecting with customers through company-operated stores, franchise locations, and e-commerce channels in numerous countries.
The company traces its origins to 1969, when the first Gap store opened in San Francisco, California. Over time, the business expanded into a multi-brand retail group. According to company statements, Gap Inc. focuses on creating products and experiences that shape culture while emphasizing its responsibilities to employees, communities, and the planet.
Brand portfolio and positioning
Gap is described as a globally recognized icon of casual American style. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, the Gap brand champions originality by creating loved essentials and delivering culturally relevant experiences that celebrate individuality. It offers adult apparel and accessories and extends into GapKids, babyGap, Gap Maternity, GapBody and GapFit collections. Gap also serves value-conscious customers with collections for Gap Outlet and Gap Factory Stores, and connects with customers online and through company-operated and franchise retail locations globally.
Old Navy is presented as a global apparel and accessories brand that makes current American essentials accessible to every family. Originated in 1994, Old Navy emphasizes on-trend, playfully optimistic, affordable and high-quality products. It is part of the San Francisco–based Gap Inc. portfolio of brands and operates more than 1,300 stores around the world, offering what it calls a fun, energizing shopping environment.
Banana Republic is described as a storyteller's brand that outfits the modern explorer with high-quality, expertly crafted collections and experiences intended to inspire and enrich their journeys. Founded in 1978 in San Francisco, Banana Republic connects with customers across online and company-operated and franchise retail locations globally. The brand highlights fashion and home collections, including Banana Republic Home (BR Home), and emphasizes elevated store design and curated experiences in select flagship locations.
Athleta is characterized as a Gap Inc. brand and a certified B Corporation. It is described as a premium performance lifestyle brand with a purpose of inspiring and empowering women and girls to find confidence, strength, and belonging through movement. Athleta states that its versatile performance apparel is designed for women by women, with inclusivity at its core. Founded in 1998 and based in San Francisco, Athleta offers performance and technical apparel that supports an active lifestyle, from yoga and training to travel and recovery, and extends its offering to younger customers through Athleta Girl.
Business model and operations
Gap Inc. identifies itself as a specialty apparel retailer operating a portfolio of brands that sell clothing, accessories, and lifestyle products. The company notes that its products are available worldwide through a mix of company-operated stores, franchise stores, and e-commerce sites. It reports thousands of store locations across more than 40 countries, with both company-operated and franchised outlets, and a significant share of sales generated through online channels.
The company’s financial disclosures highlight performance by brand, referencing net sales and comparable sales for Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta. Gap Inc. reports that it has achieved multiple consecutive quarters of market share gains and positive comparable sales at several of its brands, and it provides outlook commentary on net sales, gross margin, operating expense, and operating income growth for its fiscal years.
Marketing, campaigns, and cultural positioning
Gap Inc. frequently uses brand-specific campaigns and partnerships to reinforce each brand’s identity. For example, Gap has highlighted its heritage in denim and casual American style through campaigns that celebrate originality, music, and dance. One fall campaign centers on loose denim as both a fit and a mindset, featuring a global pop star and dance-focused creative direction.
Old Navy emphasizes accessibility and family-oriented fashion. A holiday campaign titled "Love is in the House" features an award-winning entertainer as the season’s hostess in a stylized Old Navy house setting, with a focus on festive apparel and inclusive celebration. The campaign underscores Old Navy’s positioning as a destination for holiday style and family fashion.
Athleta focuses on purpose-driven marketing around women and girls in sports and movement. Its "Power of She" platform is described as a community-driven initiative that emphasizes strength and unity among women. Athleta sponsors events, campaigns, and partnerships with prominent athletes, and supports initiatives such as The Power of She Fund and collaborations with organizations like the Women’s Sports Foundation.
Banana Republic highlights elevated retail experiences and storytelling around modern exploration. A flagship store in New York City is described as a premium expression of the brand, combining fashion and home collections with art, architecture, and curated services such as tailoring, personal styling, and interior design styling through BR Home.
Corporate identity and ticker symbol
Gap Inc. is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The company has announced that its ticker symbol will change from "GPS" to "GAP" on a specified historical date, while its common stock remains listed on the NYSE. Company communications describe this change as recognizing an anniversary of the original Gap store opening and aligning with the reinvigoration of its house of brands.
Across its communications, Gap Inc. describes its long-term ambition as becoming a high-performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture. The company emphasizes brand reinvigoration, product and marketing execution, and disciplined financial management as areas of focus, while acknowledging the broader economic and competitive environment in which it operates.