This spring, Gap Inc.’s long losing streak finally ended. In late May, the company reported that all four brands in its portfolio had seen growth in quarterly comparable sales for the first time in seven years. Wall Street exploded with relief at signs that Gap Inc.’s lengthy slump might be over and sent shares up 20% that day. The company behind the Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta also posted stronger-than-expected profits, bolstering faith that Richard Dickson, now its chief executive of one year, was solving the riddle of how to fix the chronically lagging maker of iconic American clothing.
When Dickson became CEO last August, hopes were high that the man who had reinvigorated Mattel’s Barbie franchise could turn Gap Inc. around, too. Dickson, who had been on Gap Inc.’s board for a year before becoming CEO, says he knew full well how much repair work had to be done on what he considered to be a company in “distress.”
