Retailers ditch higher-end fashion plans

Banana Republic didn't start out as a high-end luxury brand! It was a store that sold chino's and cotton shirts at low prices, then they opened the GAP brand stores and Banana Republic's went away. Remember the Jungle Themed stores? Kinda hokey, but different than the other mall stores at the time.

Actually, Mark, as a former employee of Gap Inc. I know for a fact that the Gap opened way back in 1969, Banana Republic started as a catalog that Gap bought sometime in the 70s or 80s and then turned Banana Republic into a store. Then opened Old Navy in 1994. And there are plenty of Banana Republic stores out there, there's three within twenty minutes of where I live. You should check out your facts before you post comments.

Mark ...... kinda close.

I worked for the original founders of Banana Republic. It was a travel based clothing company that sold Chino's, travel pants, shirts and travel accessories. Their stuff worn like iron!

They eventually sold to GAP and GAP turned it into a higher end brand. The owners of GAP (I think the Fishers still own it) have lost there touch as they let many great retail people walk away, at all ranks. Although Micky Drexler was a bit of an odd ball, he assemblied a group of very talented buyers and people on the retail end. They've all left and you're seeing the result of constant turnover in the retail field. Crappy clothes, ugly assortments and a lack of direction. This one is going to be very hard for them to turn around.

Sorry, Gonyr24, but Mark is actually right too. In our city, we used to shop at the jungle themed Banana Republic stores many many years ago. They were far from "high end". Almost what we now call "organic". Our local store had a huge elephant coming out of the front of the shop. They were known for khakis, chinos, white flowing tops. Their competition at the time was The Limited's Label "Outback Red". This was the early to mid 80's. I went to a school that had a uniform that required khakis so we all knew about Banana Republic and Outback Red. It was our only way to dress "cool" for schoo. The Gap at that time was where we got jeans (in lots of colors) and casual clothes that we couldn't wear to school. I miss the old Banana Republic. I wish they would bring it back.

Gonyr24 - Don't get your panties in a bunch, my point was simply that Banan Republic wasn't started as a high end line/store/catalog, but rather to target a market specific niche with a limited line offerring (It only had 2 jungle themed stores to start with). Then after aquisition by Gap, Inc. the brand was repositioned in an attempt to go upscale with men's & women's fashions (suits, dress shirts, etc.) But along the way, they lost touch with the base that made BR work. I had stock in the company for years, until they started to drain my earnings with all the "new ideas" to revitalize the brand(s) once Drexler became CEO (he was better at running the GAP division). About the only thing working for them these days is Old Navy with the low prices, but unfortunately, low quality also - those are facts supported by the 10Q reports and a visit to the stores. PS: this is a blog posting, not a 60 minutes expose!

no need to get your panties in a bunch over a comment about banana republic

Gonyr24 ... BR did start as a catolog however, Mel & Patricia Zeigler had 35 + stores that GAP bought in the late 70's early 80's and changed the image of what the old BR was. ........ I worked for both companies.

I shop at Coldwater Creek Clothing. I like some of their clothes, but not all are good quality. I only shop their outlet store, for which I find coupons for a further discount of 20-40% off outlet pricing. I bought some fantastic bargains this year. Jackets regularly priced $80 for $8-$17. I still spent over $1,000.00 but I got a lot of great stuff very inexpensively. Does anyone pay full price anymore?

The reason why Liz Claiborne went down the tubes is because the quality of design went down. When corporate buying offices are determining the styles that are sold, you can bet creativity goes with it. I used to love her clothes, they fit really well and were stylish. Now their main appeal is older (over 55) women, and there is no real style. On the other hand, some of the other mall stores that are on trouble have completely abandoned middle-aged women (40's) in favor of supplying the twenty-somethings with trendy attire. The problem is, the younger ones don't have any money. I hope someone figures out that there are a lot of us in our 40's, who would like to dress sylishly (not like our teenage daughters)who have money to spend but have no where to go.

Hey Suss you are absolutely right!

Banana Republic started out in the 70's in Marin County as a small, one of a kind store selling unique safari type clothing. I visited the store before the Gap Corp. bought them.

I actually spent one day shopping the mall and started at Banana Republic. Their sizes are for juniors! Their quality is poor and high priced. I then went to the GAP where I know things would fit properly. I'm hardly overweight at 5 8 and 145lbs. I like a good GAP bargain where I can find a shirt for $8 and pants for $10. I didnt even realize they were owned by the same company! WOWIE.

I miss White Front
-try your retail knowledge on THAT name-

WGAF! IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THIS STANDS FOR, FIGURE IT OUT.

HINT: "WHO GIVES A ..."

Banana Republic History...GEEZ: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/history2/44/Banana-Republic-Inc.html

Having been very much involved in the apparel industry as a manufacturer and prior to that being a sales rep, noe of this comes as a great surprise.
Most retailers are not the cream of the crop from an intelligence view point or having much business acumen. Most simply are sheep, trying to follow the next guy out there. Momentum keeps most going for awhile. They recognize trend buy imitating others, but the vast majority of these people don't come up with new ideas that will work. Additionally, most retailers are reluctant to understand how the internet has affected retail.
Blaming the weather or the economy for bad business decisions is nothing new.

Whatever the genesis of Bananna Republic, Gap, etc., none of them care a flip for us Lane Bryant types. I can find tops that fit & I like at Old Navy, but the ON pants/shorts/skirts are not made for my body type. I have time AND money & I shop Lane Bryant & Wal Mart. So there!

WHO HAS THE MONEY TO BY CLOTHES???? LETS WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING WORTHWHILE, LIKE GAS AND FOOD......!

I love Cold Water Creek...but suddenly they opened stores everywhere and the price of the items shot up! Sorry not worth the $'s

You are right terri... gas is $3.70 a gal here and eggs are $2.79 Dz. We will all be eating from the 99 cent menu.