GAP INC. REPORTS FEBRUARY SALES UP 5 PERCENT; COMPARABLE STORE SALES DOWN 4 PERCENT
SAN FRANCISCO – March 8, 2007 – Gap Inc. (NYSE: GPS) today
reported net sales of $910 million for the four-week period ended March 3,
2007, which represents a 5 percent increase compared with net sales of $865
million for the four-week period ended February 25, 2006. Due to the 53rd
week in fiscal year 2006, February 2007 comparable store sales are compared to
the four-week period ended March 4, 2006. On this basis, the company’s
comparable store sales decreased 4 percent, compared to a decrease of 11
percent as reported for February 2006.
Comparable store sales by division for February 2007 were as follows:
• Gap North America: negative 5 percent versus negative 7 percent last year
• Banana Republic North America: flat versus negative 11 percent last year
• Old Navy North America: negative 6 percent versus negative 14 percent last
year
• International: positive 2 percent versus negative 14 percent
last year.
“During February, Banana Republic customers continued to respond to the
brand’s product assortments and accessories, and in particular the men’s
collection performed well,” said Sabrina Simmons, senior vice president of
corporate finance at Gap Inc. “As expected, results at Gap and Old Navy
continued to be challenging, though the kids business performed stronger than
the adult business at both brands.”
As of March 3, 2007, Gap Inc. operated 3,135 store locations compared with
3,053 store locations on February 25, 2006.
For more detailed information, please call 1-800-GAP-NEWS to listen to Gap
Inc.’s monthly sales recording. International callers may call 706-634-4421.
March Sales
The company will report March sales on April 12,
2007.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release and related
recording contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other
than those that are purely historical are forward-looking statements. Words
such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” and
similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements include statements regarding year-over-year change in inventory per
square foot at the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2007.
Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
there are important factors that could cause the company’s actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors
include, without limitation, the following: the risk that the company will be
unsuccessful in gauging fashion trends and changing consumer preferences; the
highly competitive nature of the company’s business in the U.S. and
internationally and its dependence on consumer spending patterns, which are
influenced by numerous other factors; the risk that the company will be
unsuccessful in identifying and negotiating new store locations effectively;
the risk that comparable store sales and margins will experience fluctuations;
the risk that the company will be unsuccessful in implementing its strategic,
operating and people initiatives; the risk that adverse changes in the
company’s credit ratings may have a negative impact on its financing costs and
structure in future periods; the risk that trade matters, events causing
disruptions in product shipments from China and other foreign countries, or IT
systems changes may disrupt the company’s supply chain or operations; and the
risk that the company will not be successful in defending various proceedings,
lawsuits, disputes, claims, and audits; any of which could impact net sales,
costs and expenses, and/or planned strategies. Additional information
regarding factors that could cause results to differ can be found in the
company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28,
2006. Readers should also consult the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended October 28, 2006.
These forward-looking statements are based on information as of March 8, 2007
and the company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise its
forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear
that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.
Gap Inc. Copyright Information
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800-GAP-NEWS have been recorded on behalf of Gap Inc. and consist of
copyrighted material. They may not be re-recorded, reproduced, retransmitted
or rebroadcast without Gap Inc.'s express written permission. Your
participation represents your consent to these terms and conditions, which are
governed under California law.