Old Navy sales dropped 8 percent in the three months ending in January, down from 11 percent growth in the same quarter of the previous year, the company said . Banana Republic revenue dropped 14 percent compared with 1 percent year-over-year growth. Gap brand sales narrowed losses, to negative 3 percent from negative 6 percent, indicating some stabilization in the company’s namesake brand. Net sales in January were $813 million, down from $888 million in the same month last year.

The overall revenue of the company is almost stable with a slight increase though in 2015 increasing to $16.43 billion. However, this reflects poorly when compared with growth in companies like Uniqlo and H&M.

Net income fell from $1.28 billion to $1.24 billion showing the pressure the company is facing in its margins.

However, 2016 is more disturbing for the company and sales expected to go down further this year. As far as the January Comparable Sales Results is concerned ,Gap Inc.’s comparable sales for January 2016 were down 8 percent versus negative 3 percent last year. Comparable sales by global brand for January 2016 were as follows:

• Gap Global: negative 6 percent versus negative 9 percent last year
• Banana Republic Global: negative 17 percent versus positive 2 percent last year
• Old Navy Global: negative 6 percent versus positive 3 percent last year

• Gap Global: negative 3 percent versus negative 6 percent last year
• Banana Republic Global: negative 14 percent versus positive 1 percent last year
• Old Navy Global: negative 8 percent versus positive 11 percent last year

Gap Inc. shares reported lower year-over-year sales and its share price reached to the lowest level at $25.45 . Grim quarterly sales numbers suggest the problems facing the company’s Gap and Banana Republic outlets might be spreading to Old Navy, which had performed well through most of last year.

It seems that GAP needs to urgently revamp its sales strategies in view of competition from Fast-Retailers and changing consumer tastes. The consumers are losing their appetite for long established brands in favor of quick fashion and high quality clothing and all the established retailers need to take that into consideration.

About GAP Inc.

The Gap, Inc., commonly known as Gap Inc. or Gap, is an American multinational clothing and accessories retailer.It was founded in 1969 by Donald Fisher and Doris F. Fisher and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company operates five primary divisions: the namesake banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Intermix, and Athleta. Gap Inc. is behind Inditex Group and H&M in the total numbers of international locations. However, 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

Germany is the biggest market for jeans in Europe . With its population of 81 million it is the most populated country in EU. Given its large population and its per capita income of $44000+ p.a makes it a huge market for most apparel. Germany not only imports jeans directly from around the world but also from within the EU in a big way. In the current report we will try to analyse how and from where jeans are coming into Germany since 2010. Also we will look at how the Jeans are being exported from Germany and to which countries.

1. Table of imports of jeans into Germany from 2010 to 2014
2. Table of % share of exporting countries in the market of Germany 2010-2014
3. Table of % share of exports from and outside the EU 2010-2014
4. Table for imports of jeans from important EU countries 2010-2014
5. Table for exports of jeans out of Germany into EU countries 2010-2014
6. Table for exports of jeans to rest of the world 2010-2014
7. Net consumption of jeans in Germany 2010-2014
8. Per capita consumption of jeans in Germany 2014

a) Name of buyers who bought denim fabrics from different mills.
b) The names of mills from where they bought the denims.
c) An idea of the products they bought and the prices at which they bought – this gives a fair idea of the quality of the buyer .
d) Contact details of these buyers.

This report is available to our subscribers of Special Reports

Celebrities try to differentiate themselves from the crowd and with even premium denim becoming common among the slightly well off , only custom jeans can provide the exclusiveness they need. And it is for this reason that Mychael Darwin (who started a bespoke denim business when his wife could’nt find the right jeans which could flatter her curves ) can sell a denim outfit for as much as $15000 !  As he explains to Forbes in an interview

“I once had a woman client who wanted me to make her a complete denim and leather outfit,” says Darwin, whose jeans are a favorite among the Hollywood A-list. “She wanted sterling silver buttons, and she wanted her name engraved on all the buttons. She wanted really expensive Japanese denim. The whole thing cost her $15,000.” He starts chuckling. “But, hey, she could afford it.”

Mychael Darwin Custom Jeans feature exclusive Japanese Dry Denim and Dry-Wash Japanese premium denim fabrics. These vintage denim fabrics are made on original looms machines made in the 1950’s. These beautiful rare and superior denim fabrics feature a dry-stone washing technique from the early days of making original dry denim quality jeans.

And then , there is Loren, an intimate clothing boutique situated in Brooklyn . With jeans ranging from $500 to $10,000 , they are able to cater to a clientele which is very wealthy.

The 3×1 concept store from Scott Morrison – one of the persons credited with introducing the luxury denim in US-  is a bespoke denim which is more affordable. At $295 to $1200 , these jeans are not exactly cheap but we can use the word “affordable” since we have been talking about $10,000 to $15,000 kind of prices !  .

Besides these , we have many online sites offering unique fits for individual clients with prices as low as $100  from sites like  Indicustom, Makeyourownjeans and many other similar ventures .

The idea behind all these ventures is a growing client base who “Want Denim Their Size And Their Way “.
But what happens if your exclusive and expensive jeans get torn or are not wearable. Worry not, you can always go to places like Denim Therapy and get them repaired in a jiffy !!!

Sponsored link:

Imports of Denim Fabrics Into USA 2009- & 2010 – 1st Quarter

Lets have a look at some of the  main exporting countries which exported denim fabrics to USA in 2010 first quarter.

We can see that the largest %  increases in imports have been from Japan and Italy – prices from where have been traditionally the highest. This is also reflected in our figures in the first table where the average prices of imports have increased by almost 20%. China is also becoming an important exporter of denim fabrics to US. Mexico has taken the biggest hit in terms of exports – reflecting the inability of the Mexican mills to meet the  requirements of the US importers.

Denim Streets  Report From Stylesight

1. Skinny Bootcuts:

The skinny silhouette naturally evolves in a boot cut interpretation.
Skinny silhouettes with slightly flared hems / Ultra long versions scrunched around boot shafts / Dark denim shades / Look for this silhouette to grow in popularity as Alexander Wang showed it on his Fall 2010 runway.

2. Skinny Jeans – New Washes & Finishes

The skinny continues to widen its range with new washes and finishes.Lightweight resin finishes pair with colorful footwear / Clean black overdyes / Tucked into knee length boots or ankle booties.

3.Boyfriend Jeans Straight Legs 

The boyfriend jeans trend reintroduces straight leg silhouettes to women and juniors.Relaxed cuts replace skinnies and jeggings in layered ensembles / Rolled cuffs / 80s retro natural waists.

4. Turned-up Voluminous Styles

Voluminous styles, roomier than the boyfriend fit, emerge in high water cuffed styling. Fitted feminine jackets juxtapose wider cuts / Masculine trend / Key look: faded baggy jeans with tailored pieces.

5.Tapered Legs

Tapered legs are a roomier option to skinny fits. Coated and resin finishes modernize this retro silhouette / Dark stonewash gives secondhand, from-the-90s appeal.

6.Jeggings – New washes and finishes. Acid wash catches up on Jeggings too

Jeggings expand with new washes and finishes that follow current denim trends. Absolute black for a minimalist edge / Black and blue acid wash / Super stretch fabric with vintage whiskers and chevron lines.

7. Natural Waistlines -Worn High.

Natural waistline silhouettes are the key retro trend.90s secondhand look with natural waistline and curved hips / Acid washed elastic waist running shorts: worn high/ Tie-dye / Straight legs with workwear boots and feminine sweaters.

8. Chambray Shirts – Interesting combinations with Jeggings.

Styling options allow the chambray shirt to remain key.Rolled sleeves / Blue and black denim trend: A-line shirts over black shredded denim shorts / Layered, belted or unbuttoned over jeggings and leggings.

9. Denim Jackets : 80s looks with acid washes.

Acid wash and overdyed denim jackets strike a 1980s chord.
Quilted shoulder stitching, leather trim and multi pockets / Boxy, oversized unisex looks / Blue acid wash is key /Lightweight basic jacket in bright overdyes.

10. Short Skirts

Bubble shapes and plays on volume update the short skirt.Draped, pleated bubble skirt / Tencel/polyester shirting weights give airy shine to skirts / Cuffed hems enhance bubble shape.

But as mentioned in this previous report , sales Super of Premium Denim Jeans ( $200 + Jeans) in the US has taken a knock. And the same is reflected in lower production of Premium Denim Jeans in US and thus lower imports of denim fabrics . Lets analyze these figures :

Consolidated Data for Denim fabrics:

                                    Jan-May 2008            Jan- May 2009

Imports in US

(Linear mtrs)         13 Million Mtrs          8.6 Million Mtrs

Here I am giving the figures of  denim fabrics reflecting the exports of Denim Fabrics from various countries during this period.

Imports of Denim Fabrics In USA in Jan- May 2009

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Int’l Trade Commission.However
square mtr figures have been converted to Linear mtrs(1m=1.55sq m average) for easy understanding.

This fall in the imports of Denim fabrics into US coincides with an increase

in sales of Jeans. This can indicate the following:

a) Manufacturing of Premium jeans in US has taken a knock.
b)Some of the Premium Denim Brands may have actually shifted part of their productions overseas to reduce costs.

It is also interesting to see that where countries like China , Italy  and Turkey have lost substantial volumes, others like  Taiwan, Mexico and Japan have gained .  Here, however, it should be noted that Premium Denim brands have a marked preference for Japanese denim fabrics . However, these fabrics may not always come directly from Japan only.They are sometimes  routed through China and Hongkong also .

Taiwan is a quiet but regular exporter of denim fabrics. It does not figure anywhere as a large denim manufacturing country  , but it does manufacture very specialized denim fabrics and US has always been its regular buyer . And for the last few years, Premium Denim manufacturers have been using its fabrics in volumes.

Italy and Turkey are two other major countries to have their exports reduced.  However, with improving market in US, their exports might pick up a bit.

Other countries are really so small in their export figures that % changes in their figures hardly make a difference.

Buyer Enquiries for Denim Jeans

1. Washed Denim Jeans – USA 
2. Denim Jeans – USA
3. Men’s Denim Jeans – 8000 pairs
4. Japanese Denim Selvedge Jeans wanted – UK

Buyer enquiries for Denim Fabrics 

1. Denim fabric 50,000 yards – USA
2. Denim Fabric & Linen curtain fabric – Australia
3. Black Denim 11oz to 13.5oz – Canada
4. Denim fabric enquiry – Pakistan
5. Looking for cheap light weight denim – India
6. Looking for 8oz and 10oz denim fabric – India

Disclaimer: These enquiries are posted on other sites and on which Denimsandjeans.com have no control. The enquiries are just reproduced here for the benefit of the visitors . Denimsandjeans.com shall not be in any way responsible for these enquiries.

1. Report on buyers of Denim Fabric and Jeans– This weekly report shall be providing list of some new buyer requirements for Denim Fabrics and Jeans across various places on the web. Our members can then visit the related links to see if they are of  interest to them to pursue.
2. Report on New Denim Collections – This report shall provide a summary of new Denim Collections witnessed across the world .Keep yourselves in with the trend.
3. Denim Videos – Videos are an important source  of information and getting to see the latest videos related to denim is an easy way to keep oneself updated on denim trends. This report shall enable you to do the same.
4. Weekly detailed denim report on production, consumption , export and import of Denim . This report I am not very sure we will be able to provide every week, but that shall be the endeavour.

I am just putting up this post so that our readers may not be surprised due to the sudden jump in posts. Hope you like the reports. I would really like to have your comments on the same once you receive them so that we can improve them further.

A report by CottonInc brings out the latest facts and trends in the jeans consumption in the US. It corroborates our previous report that the consumption and imports of Jeans in the US in 2008 was about 5% more than that in 2007.

Here are some interesting facts from the report:

a) US consumers:Own about 15 denim garments each on an average.
Out of these are 7 pairs of jeans.
Of all apparel purchased , denim formed 17% ( remember ,denim is the highest selling
clothing item in the world.
Are buying more of denim especially now since denim is more value for money.

b)Brand loyalty: Brand loyalty is quite high across genders,income levels and age groups.
73% of the consumers preferred to buy the same brand of jeans they owned.
64% of men and 45% of women preferred the same brand of jeans for 6 years.
What is interesting to note is that brand loyalty has been generated due to product
features rather than brand name. 66% consumers listed fit as the most important factor
for buying a jeans rather than its name (1%)

c)Price sensitivity:Price senstivity is going to increase in the year 2009. Though only 9% respondents
mentioned price as the reason to buy a brand, over 26% mention price will be the most
imp factor in the next purchase. With the economy slowing down, we should not be
surprised if this figure increases further.
Average price that a consumers were willing to pay for a good fitting jeans fell down from
$36.10 in January 2008 to $ 32.13 in October 2008.

d) Denim Imports:Mexico , China and Bangladesh remained the top three exporters of jeans to US in
2008.They exported (till September 2009) the following million units of jeans :
Mexico – 92.8 million units
China – 55.6 million units
Bangladesh – 39.1 million units
Egypt – 23.4 million units
Hongkong – 23.2 million units
Out of these, Bangaldesh had the lowest average price of jeans exported – $5.07 against
a world average export price of $ 7.45

Going by these figures and previous reports coming in regarding denim consumption in the US, we get the indications that the consumption of denim/jeans would perhaps not experience the serious fall in consumption as expected in other clothing (esp fashion products) items. The reason is clear – consumers want to invest in jeans as – it lasts longer, can be worn at wide variety of occasions, offers wide price ranges and remains its fashion appeal. Will we see the market share of some clothing items cannabalised by
Jeans ?.
Another lesson , oft repeated, for jeans producers is that FIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT factor consumers . Identify your target consumers and give them the best fits possible.Though quality of denim, wash, brand name all are important, they are secondary to THE FIT ..

Download the full report on denim jeans consumption in US here – right click and ‘Save link as’