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Company Financial Analysis On Gap

1. Background Information
The Gap Inc, headquartered in San Francisco, California, is a global specialty retailer operating retail and outlet stores under the Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, and Forth & Towne brand names.
The Gap Inc. was co-founded by Doris F. Fisher and Donald G. Fisher in 1969.   It started by offering casual apparel at moderate price points.   Products range from wardrobe basics such as denim, khakis and T-shirts to fashion apparel, accessories and personal care products for men and women, ages teen through adult.
The Gap Inc. acquired Banana Republic in 1983.   Banana Republic now offers sophisticated, fashionable collections of dress-casual and tailored apparel, shoes and accessories for men and women at higher price points than Gap.   Banana Republic products range from apparel, including intimate apparel, to personal care products.
In 1994, Gap Inc. launched new brand Old Navy offering apparel, shoes and accessories for adults, children at all genders at a lower price points.   Gap entered the children’s apparel market with the introduction of GapKids in 1986 and babyGap in 1989.   Gap launched GapBody in 1998 offering women’s underwear, sleepwear, swimwear and personal care products.   In August 2005, the company launched new brand Forth & Towne, targeting specifically a market niche on women over the age of 35.   Forth & Towne offers customers smart, fashionable clothing and accessories to a range of lifestyles.  
Each brand under GAP also provides on-line shopping services for U.S. customers.   The first web-based store was established in 1997 at www.gap.com.   Products comparable to those carried in Gap, Gapkids and babyGap stores can be purchased online.   Banana Republic introduced Banana Republic Online, a web-based store located at www.bananarepublic.com, in 1999.   Old Navy Online also offers apparel and accessories comparable to those carried in the store collection.  
As of Jan 28, 2006, the company operated approximately 3,000...