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uber jeans old navy ban rep;

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forbes mag

The group organized by my nonprofit group Ceres represents a powerful cross-section of our economy, including food, consumer and manufacturing giants such as Kellogg Co., Unilever, PepsiCo, Starbucks, Nestle, Mars and Owens Corning.

Joining them are familiar and not-so-familiar businesses such as Eileen Fisher, Gap Inc., JLL, L’Oreal, Seventh Generation, Vulcan, Aspen Skiing Company, Ben & Jerry’s, Burton Snowboards and Dignity Health.

The companies traveling to Washington believe that reaching a strong global deal on climate change in Paris this December is critical for the long-term stability of their businesses and the overall economy. They also recognize the imperative of U.S leadership on climate change, which is why most of them signed a letter – along with 200-plus other companies – supporting EPA’s Clean Power Plan, a cornerstone of U.S. efforts to reduce carbon emissions....

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Those contributors include owners of the Gap Inc., for which California First Lady Anne Gust Brown was once a top executive, investor Charles Schwab and Los Angeles philanthropist Eli Broad. The groups they donated to gave money to other organizations, which gave to the campaigns.

One of the campaigns was an effort to derail a 2012 tax measure pushed by Gov. Jerry Brown -- which Broad had said he supported. The other supported a separate initiative that would have limited the power of labor unions to raise political cash.

The Fisher family, which owns the Gap, gave more than $9 million to Americans for Job Security, a Virginia-based group which eventually sent millions to an Arizona-based non-profit that ultimately wound up in a California campaign committee. Gust Brown formerly was the company’s chief administrative officer.

San Francisco investor Schwab gave more than $6.2 million to the same group. Broad gave $1 million despite his stated support for higher taxes on the wealthy.

Americans for Job Security sent $11 million to the Arizona-based Center to Protect Patient Rights, an Arizona nonprofit. From there, the same amount was sent to Americans for Responsible Leadership, another Arizona group, before landing in a single campaign committee that worked to defeat the governor’s tax measure, Proposition 30, and pass Proposition 32, a measure that would have limited the political power of labor unions. The committee failed in both efforts.

Calls to Broad, Schwab and the Fishers seeking comment were not returned.

The donation scheme was designed by California Republican fundraiser Tony Russo, who was working as a consultant to Americans for Job Security, according to documents released by the state Fair Political Practices Commission. Calls to Russo were not immediately returned.

In its findings, announced Thursday, the Fair Political Practices Commission ruled that its reading of state law found that donors to the Arizona group need not be disclosed. But in a partly redacted list released by the FPPC, some of the identities are being revealed for the first time.

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EdVoice was founded in 2001 by Reed Hastings (CEO of Netflix, Microsoft board member, Green Dot founding funder) and John Doerr (venture capitalist, investment banker), along with and former CA state Assembly members Ted Lempert and Steve Poizner. Eli Broad and Don Fisher (deceased CEO of The Gap and major KIPP supporter) once served on EdVoice’s board.

EdVoice has received a ton of money from all of the above as well as from Carrie Walton Penner and Fisher’s widow, Doris. Penner lives in the Bay Area and is a Walton Family Foundation trustee. She also sits on KIPP’s board, as does Reed Hastings, and the Fishers’ son, John.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Gap_Inc.

The Gap Inc. operates as a specialty retailing company in the United States and internationally. The company operates retail and outlet stores that sell casual apparel, accessories, and personal care products for men, women and children under the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Piperlime, and Forth & Towne brand names. Its products include denim, khakis, T-shirts, shoes, intimate apparel, and accessories. As of February 3, 2007, the company operated approximately 3,131 stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and Japan. [4]

Contents [hide]

Company History

The first Gap store was opened in 1969.

Historical Financial Information

Business Strategy

Political and Public Influence

Paragraph information

Political Contributions

Lobbying

Corporate Accountability

Co-op America profile: "Gap brand stores are so popular that a shopping center without a Gap or its subsidiaries, Banana Republic and Old Navy, is a rare sight. Gap has used its popularity to promote pro-diversity measures and encourage community involvement, and the company is now an EPA Climate Leader. Gap has also developed a supplier code of conduct to address unethical labor issues, however, sourcing from non-compliant factories continues to be a problem for the company. Examples of Gap's labor abuses include mandatory and unpaid overtime work; sub-poverty wages; and unhealthy working conditions. Gap is showing an interest in addressing labor violations but it needs to apply greater energy and solicit stronger efforts from industry cohorts to make lasting changes. Measurable results from such interest remain to be seen."

Labor

History:

Campaigns against company:

Major reports:

Maquila Solidarity Network. 2006. "Transparency Report Card"

Human Rights

Environment

Robert J. Fisher, interim President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gap "since January 2007. Chairman since 2004. Executive of the Company, 1992-1999. The Company announced the name of Glenn Murphy as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, taking over for Robert J. Fisher, the current Chairman who has served as the Company's Interim Chief Executive Officer since January 2007. Robert J. Fisher remains on Gap Inc.'s board of directors." [1]

Consumer Protection and Product Safety

Anti-Trust and Tax Practices

Social Responsibility Initiatives

Business Scope

Brands
Customers

Gap Inc. retails only through its own stores.

Suppliers

Identified suppliers:

Competitors
CustomersSuppliersCreditorsCompetitors
Customer 1Supplier 1Creditor 1Competitor 1
Customer 2Supplier 2Creditor 2Competitor 2
Customer 3Supplier 3Creditor 3Competitor 3
Customer 4Supplier 4Creditor 4Competitor 4

Financial Information (as of DATE)

Ticker Symbol: GPS

Main Exchanges: NYSE

Investor Website: http://gapinc.com/public/Investors/investors.shtml

List of largest shareholders

34% of shares held by founding Fisher family. [11]

[12]

Shareholder% Total Shares held
Shareholder 1% Held 1
Shareholder 2% Held 2
Shareholder 3% Held 3
Shareholder 4% Held 4

Largest Shareholders

Geographic scope paragraph

CountryRevenueProfitsAssetsEmployees
Country 1Revenue 1Profit 1Assets 1Employees 1
Country 2Revenue 2Profit 2Assets 2Employees 2
Country 3Revenue 3Profit 3Assets 3Employees 3
Country 4Revenue 4Profit 4Assets 4Employees 4

Governance

Executives
Board members & affiliations
Date & venue of next AGM

May 2008

Contact Information

2 Folsom St.

San Francisco, CA 94105

U.S.A.

Tel: 1-650-952-4400

http://www.gapinc.com

Articles and Resources

Books on the Company

Related SourceWatch Articles

Business for Social Responsibility

Sources

  1. ↑ http://www.hrw.org/wr2k/Issues-03.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.cleanclothes.org/urgent/pt-tae2.htm
  3. ↑ National Post (Canada), May 18, 2002.
  4. ↑ The Independent (London), October 29, 2007. First edition, p. 4.

External Resources

External Articles

Categories:

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REFUSES TO SIGN ON TO AGREEMENT POST BANGLDESHI 8 STORY BLG COLLAPSE 1K AND FIRES

SHAREHOLDERS KPFA 5/27/13 8:20AM

https://www.facebook.com/InternationalLaborRights?filter=1

jobs with justice  friends of south asia glhr.org

Date of publication: May 21, 2013

Source: Press Release

Author: ILRF and USAS

Consumers Rally at Gap Shareholder Meeting and Flood Gap’s Facebook Wall with Messages

San Francisco, CA – This morning fifty protesters, including South Asian activists, labor groups, students, and concerned consumers, held a demonstration in front of Gap, Inc.’s shareholder meeting to urge the company to sign onto the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.

"We are urging Gap to do its part to help prevent future garment industry disasters like the fire at Tazreen that claimed 112 lives and the building collapse at Rana Plaza that killed over 1,100 people. Gap should live up to their reputation for corporate responsibility," said Claudia Fernandez, a Santa Clara University student who is a member of United Students Against Sweatshops.

"These names that you see here, they are not just names, they are lives. I urge the shareholders of Gap: 'You need to do your job. Don't skirt your responsibilities,'" said Tina Jabeen, another demonstrator, referring to signs displaying names of Bangladeshi workers who were killed in a Gap supplier factory in 2010.

"I feel optimistic that Gap will step up and sign the safety agreement, and I feel so grateful that so many people who aren't directly connected to Bangladesh are here because we need that international solidarity," said Zakia Afrin, a Bangladeshi-American academic and writer who teaches in the School of Law at Golden Gate University.

Forty companies have already signed onto the Accord: Abercrombie & Fitch, Aldi, Benetton, Bonmarche, C&A, Carrefour, Charles Vögele, Comtex, El Corte Inglés, Esprit, Fat Cat, G-Star, H&M, Helly Hansen, HEMA, Hess Natur, Inditex (Zara), JBC, John Lewis, KIK, LIDL, Loblaw, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, N. Brown group (SimplyBe, High&Mighty etc.), New Look, Next, Otto Group, Primark, PVH (Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, etc.), Rewe, Sainsbury's, s.Oliver, Stockmann, Switcher, Tchibo, Tesco, V&D, and WE Group. These signatories include brands and retailers from a dozen countries, with presence in more than 1,000 factories in Bangladesh.

The demonstration at Gap’s shareholder meeting is part of an escalating series of protest activities. Today an Avaaz petition targeting Gap reached over one million signers and thousands of people are flooding Gap’s facebook wall with messages urging the company to sign onto the Bangladesh Safety Accord. Earlier this month, United Students Against Sweatshops and International Labor Rights Forum launched a new website, titled gapdeathtraps.com, with store manager letters, flyers, chants, and petitions, for consumers to take action at Gap stores across the country.

Representing groups owning Gap shares, Anu Mandavilli, and Kirsten Moller both had the opportunity to ask questions inside the shareholder meeting.

“In light of a series of recent calamities in Bangladesh apparel manufacturing plants resulting in an overwhelming loss of life, two groups of investors that control over $2 trillion in assets have called on Gap to join the multi-stakeholder initiative--the Accord on Fire and Building Safety--that involves the International Labour Organization, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and 40 companies, to implement plans with measurable goals to address all aspects of fire and building safety in a timely manner. What does not signing mean for Gap’s reputational risk?” asked Moller, Organizing Director with Global Exchange.

“Gap has publicly stated that it won’t sign the Bangladesh safety accord because it exposes the company and shareholders to too much liability. However, an op-ed in LA Times last Friday written by prominent law professors demonstrates that there is no rational basis to this argument. The law professors state that the accord’s costs are reasonable and quantifiable, and the many major brands and retailers that have signed on — including two large US corporations, PVH and Abercrombie & Fitch— obviously consider these costs reasonable. Does Gap have any legitimate reasons for not signing the accord?” asked Mandavilli, with Friends of South Asia.

In response, Gap CEO Glenn Murphy indicated that Gap is seeking “small changes” in the Accord in order to join. But activists said that if these changes mean making it a non-enforceable,voluntary program that sidelines workers and their unions, that is much more than a “small change.”

“As labor rights advocates in the US, it’s important to also stand with our brothers and sisters abroad. No one anywhere should die for fashion,” said Kung Feng, with San Francisco Jobs with Justice.

[www.greenamerica.org/PDF/GuideSweatshops.pdf](http://www.greenamerica.org/PDF/GuideSweatshops.pdf‎)[‎](http://www.greenamerica.org/PDF/GuideSweatshops.pdf‎)

Background references:

Investor warning: risk shoppers turned off by Gap’s stand on Bangladesh safety deal

IndustriALL Global Union, May 21, 2013:

http://www.industriall-union.org/investor-warning-risk-shoppers-turned-off-by-gaps-stand-on-bangladesh-safety-deal

Wal-Mart, Gap skirt the issue

They have refused to sign a Bangladesh workers’ safety accord, showing irrational fears of financial and moral commitments.

Los Angeles Times, Op-ed by James Brudney and Catherine Fisk, May 17, 2013:

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-fisk-bangladesh-apparel-accord-20130517,0,1118465.story

Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh:

http://laborrights.org/safetymou

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Gap Inc.|   |

TypePublic
Traded as

NYSE: GPS

S&P 500 Component

IndustryRetail
Founded

San Francisco, California, U.S.

August 21, 1969

Founder(s)

Donald Fisher

Doris F. Fisher

HeadquartersSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Number of locations3,263 (2012)[1]
Area servedWorldwide
Key people

Glenn K. Murphy

(Chairman and CEO)

ProductsClothing, accessories
Revenue

$ 15.7 billion (FY 2012)

[2]

Operating income $1.4 billion (FY 2011)[2]
Net income $ 1.1 billion (FY 2012)[2]
Total assets $ 7.4 billion (FY 2011)[2]
Total equity $ 2.75 billion (FY 2011)[2]
Employees132,000 (28 January 2012)[2]
Divisions

Gap

Banana Republic

Old Navy

Piperlime

Athleta

intermix

Websitegap.com

Gap,[3] commonly known as Gap Inc. or Gap, is an American multinational clothing and accessories retailer. It was founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher and is currently headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company operates five primary divisions: the namesake banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime, and Athleta. Gap Inc. was surpassed by Spanish-based Inditex Group as the world's largest apparel retailer,[4] though it remains the largest specialty retailer in the United States. As of September 2008, the company has approximately 135,000 employees and operates 3,076 stores worldwide, of which 2,551 are located in the U.S.[5]

The Fisher family remains deeply involved in the company, collectively owning much of its stock.[6] Donald Fisher served as Chairman of the Board until 2004, playing a role in the ouster of then-CEO Millard Drexler in 2002, and remained on the board until his death on September 27, 2009. Fisher's wife and their son, Robert J. Fisher, also serve on Gap's board of directors. Robert succeeded his father as chairman in 2004 and also served as CEO on an interim basis following the resignation of Paul Pressler in 2007, before being succeeded permanently by Glenn K. Murphy.

Contents

History

Donald and Doris Fisher opened the first Gap store on Ocean Avenue in San Francisco on August 21, 1969; its merchandise consisted of Levi's and LP records. They had raised $63,000 to open the store,[1] and reached $2 million in sales in the first year of operation. In 1970, Gap opened its second store in San Jose, California and established its corporate headquarters in Burlingame, California with four employees. By 1973, the company had over 25 locations and had expanded into the East Coast market with a store in the Echelon Mall in Voorhees, New Jersey. In 1974, Gap began to sell private-label merchandise.

In the 1990s, Gap assumed an upscale identity and revamped its inventory under the direction of Millard Drexler.[citation needed] However, Drexler was removed from his position in 2002 after over-expansion, a 29-month slump in sales, and tensions with the Fisher family. Drexler refused to sign a non-compete agreement and eventually became CEO of J. Crew. One month after his departure, merchandise that he had ordered was responsible for a strong rebound in sales.[7][8][9] Robert J. Fisher recruited Paul Pressler as the new CEO; he was credited with closing under-performing locations and paying off debt. However, his focus groups failed to recover the company's leadership in its market.

In 2007, Gap announced that it would "focus [its] efforts on recruiting a chief executive officer who has deep retailing and merchandising experience ideally in apparel, understands the creative process and can effectively execute strategies in large, complex environments while maintaining strong financial discipline." That January, Pressler resigned after two disappointing holiday sales seasons and was succeeded by Robert J. Fisher on an interim basis.[10][11][12] He began working with the company in 1980 and joined the board in 1990, and would later assume several senior executive positions, including president of Banana Republic and the Gap units.[13] The board's search committee was led by Adrian Bellamy, chairman of The Body Shop International and included founder Donald Fisher. On February 2, Marka Hansen, the former head of the Banana Republic division, replaced Cynthia Harriss as the leader of the Gap division. The executive president for marketing and merchandising Jack Calhoun became interim president of Banana Republic.[14] In May, Old Navy laid off approximately 300 managers in lower volume locations to help streamline costs. That July, Glenn Murphy, previously CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada, was announced as the new CEO of Gap, Inc. New lead designers were also brought on board to help define a fashionable image, including Patrick Robinson for Gap Adult, Simon Kneen for Banana Republic, and Todd Oldham for Old Navy. Robinson was hired as chief designer in 2007, but was dismissed in May 2011 after sales failed to increase. However, he enjoyed commercial success in international markets.[15][16][17]

In October 2011, Gap Inc. announced plans to close 189 US stores, nearly 21 percent, by the end of 2013; however, it also plans to expand its presence in China.[18][19] The company announced it would open its first stores in Brazil in the Fall of 2013.[20]

Corporate identity

Brands

Banana Republic, a small safari-themed clothing retailer, was purchased by Gap in 1983 and was rebranded as an upscale clothing retailer in the late 1980s. Old Navy was launched in 1994 as a value chain with a specialty flair. Forth & Towne, the company's fourth traditional retail concept, was launched on August 24, 2005, featuring apparel targeted toward women 35 years and older.[24] On February 26, 2007, after an 18-month trial period, it was discontinued, and the 19 stores were closed.[25] A fifth brand, the online clothing and accessories retailer Piperlime, was created in 2006.[26] A sixth brand, Athleta, a women's athletic wear line, was added in 2009.[27]

Gap's Sales by Division in Q1 2009[28]

DivisionsTotal revenue
Gap North America$834 million
Banana Republic North America$475 million
Old Navy North America$1.18 billion
International$369 million
Gap Inc Direct$267 million

Marketing

The Gap originally targeted the younger generation when it opened, with its name referring to the generation gap of the time.[29]). It originally sold signature blue jeans and white cotton t-shirts, and later expanded to include clothing for men, women and children.[30] Gap's current market works to appeal to a broad demographic of customers, whereas Banana Republic presents a sophisticated image and Old Navy focuses "fun, fashion, and value" for families and younger customers. While the company has been criticized for blandness and uniformity in its selling environments, it maintains that it tailors its stores "to appeal to unique markets" by developing multiple formats and designs.[31] The domain www.gap.com attracts over 18 million visitors annually, according to a 2008 Compete.com survey.[32]

Corporate affairs

International presence

Gap operates stores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, Ireland, Korea, Japan and China; it also has franchise agreements with unaffiliated franchisees to operate Gap or Banana Republic stores in Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates, Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Indonesia and Mexico.[33] As of February 3, 2007, Gap Inc. operates 3,131 locations.[34] In January 2008, Gap signed a deal with Marinopoulos Group to open Gap and Banana Republic stores in Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Croatia.[35] In February 2009, Elbit Imaging, Ltd. secured a franchise to open and operate Gap and Banana Republic stores in Israel.[36] In August 2010, the company opened its first store in Melbourne, Australia at Chadstone Shopping Centre.[citation needed] In September 2011, Komax opened the first Gap store in Chile, due to a franchise.[37] In October 2011, the first GAP store opened in Warsaw, Poland.[38]

Labor practices

In 2003, a class action law suit against Gap and 21 other companies alleged that sweatshop workers in Saipan were not paid for overtime work, were subjected to forced abortion, and were required to work in unsafe working conditions.[39] A settlement of 20 million dollars was reached whereby The Gap did not admit liability.[40]

In 2007, Ethisphere Magazine chose Gap from among thousands of companies evaluated as one of 100 "World’s Most Ethical Companies."[41] The company was ranked 25th by CRO Magazine in its “100 Best Corporate Citizens” list in 2007.[citation needed] In May 2006, adult and child employees of Western, a supplier in Jordan, were found to have worked up to 109 hours per week and to have gone six months without being paid. Some employees claimed they had been raped by managers.[42] Most of these allegations were directed at Wal-Mart (who mostly ignored the claims), while Gap immediately looked into the matter to remedy the situation.[42]

On October 28, 2007, BBC footage showed child labor in Indian Gap factories.[43] The company denied knowledge of the happenings; it subsequently removed and destroyed the single piece of clothing in question, a smock blouse, from a British store. Gap promised to investigate breaches in its ethical policy.[44]

Bangladeshi and international labor groups in 2011 put forth a detailed safety proposal which entailed the establishment of independent inspections of garment factories. The plan called for inspectors to have the power to close unsafe factories. The proposal entailed a legally binding contract between suppliers, customers and unions. At a meeting in 2011 in Dhaka, major European and North American retailers, including Gap, rejected the proposal. Further efforts by unions to advance the proposal after numerous and deadly factory fires have been rejected. [45]

Product Red

This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (March 2013)

In 2006, Gap took part in the Product Red campaign with the launch of a special RED collection, including a T-shirt manufactured in Lesotho from African cotton. The expanded Gap Product Red collection was released on October 13, 2006. 50 to 100 percent of the profits went to the Global Fund, depending on the item. The company continued the products into 2007, especially in the lead up to Valentine's Day, using slogans such as "Admi(RED)" and "Desi(RED)." Product Red has contributed over $45 million to the Global Fund, more than any other private donation received to date. Other launch partners included American Express, Apple Inc., Converse, Hallmark, Emporio Armani and Motorola.

Management

Leadership

The current leadership is:[46]

Board of directors

Gap headquarters in San Francisco, California.

Storesde

Attachments