American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), Aeropostale Inc (ARO): The Gap Inc. (GPS) Pulls Away From the Competition

You would be forgiven for thinking that there’s little in this world more fickle than the fashion whims of teenagers — although the recent clothing choices made by 20-year-old Miley Cyrus don’t speak volumes for her generation, either. However, over the past year, The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) has somehow managed to maintain its hold on the group.

Meanwhile, competitors have been chasing after their core customers but failing to keep pace. The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS)’s long-term plans can therefore continue unhindered by any fears of falling market share. The days of wine and roses seem to be upon The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS). But even this rose has its thorns.

Gap’s strengths and weakness
Second-quarter results were ugly across most of the sector, with many companies citing a challenging retail environment. That sentiment was part of a broader weakness in the retail sector. Wal-Mart, for instance, blamed its weak sales on lowered inflation and an increase in the payroll tax. The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) was one of the few retailers that were unhampered by that weakness.

The company increased comparable-store sales — sales from stores open for more than a year — by 5% over the second quarter last year. Comparable sales can help investors and analysts compare similar companies better than revenue growth, as pure revenue growth can be increased simply by opening more stores, with each location doing worse than it did in the previous year.

The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS)’s increase easily bested the efforts of companies like American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) and Aeropostale Inc (NYSE:ARO). Both companies had a fall in comparable-store sales compared to the previous year. American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE:AEO) fell 7%, which management blamed on a fall in foot traffic and a failure to execute its women’s apparel plan as it should have. Aeropostale Inc (NYSE:ARO) fell 15%, also blaming weak traffic and an overly promotional retail environment.

The Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS) managed to dodge the worst of those issues, but it did have weakness in its Banana Republic stores. That brand had a 1% decline in year-over-year comparable sales, while the Gap and Old Navy brands both managed a 6% increase. Oddly, Banana Republic is the least teen-focused brand of the three, focusing instead on “workplace style” instead of trendy graphic T-shirts.