Gap, Inc.

Total losses attributed to retail shrinkage hit $34.5 billion last year, “positioning retail crime as the largest form of property crime,” according to Dr. Richard Hollinger, professor of criminology, law and society, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla. And it shows no signs of easing anytime soon. Indeed, the rate of shrink remains on a five-year climb, according to the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC), Gainesville, Fla.

New York -- Many retailers blamed Hurricane Sandy for weak sales in November, although some companies were buoyed later in the month by a long Thanksgiving weekend.

Eighteen retailers reported that sales in November through last Saturday were up 1.7% compared with the year-ago period, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. That is below the anticipated forecast for a 4.5% to 5.5% gain.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. raised its outlook for the year after reporting better-than-expected net income for the third quarter on growing sales. It was the latest sign that the long beleaguered chain may be finally entering a turnaround.

For the three months ended Oct. 27, the company said it earned $308 million, compared with $193 million in the year

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc. is donating more than $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Sandy, which struck the East Coast earlier this week and caused widespread damage and destruction.

Upon the request of the American Red Cross, Gap Inc. will donate more than $250,000 worth of clothing, which will be distributed tomorrow in New Jersey, one of the areas hit the hardest by this week’s superstorm. In addition, the company will donate $750,000 cash to provide critical help and necessities for those in affected areas.

SAN FRANCISCO — Gap Inc.appears to be on the upswing, reporting positive same-store sales across all of its divisions for both the third quarter and October. 

Net sales for the third quarter increased 8% to $3.86 billion compared with $3.59 billion for the third quarter last year. The company’s third quarter comparable sales were up 65 compared with a 5% decrease in the third quarter last year.

By Peter Burgoyne, [email protected]

San Francisco — Gap Inc. is bringing several of its divisions under the leadership of one executive in order to fuel long-term growth.

With the start of the 2013 fiscal year, the company will bring together its North American, international, online, outlet and franchise divisions under a single global executive for each of its Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brands. In addition, the company will form a new Innovation and Digital Strategy team to further its leadership position in this area.

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. announced Wednesday that customers in Japan can now shop Gap and Banana Republic products online through its new Japanese e-commerce sites (gap.co.jp and bananarepublic.co.jp). The sites offer Gap, GapKids, babyGap and Banana Republic products.