Why Gap Stores Are Losing Sales

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Article first published as Why Gap Stores Are Losing Sales on Technorati.

      It was recently reported that Gap sales in stores has dropped 32% since 2004.  They are now reorganizing and revamping their line of women’s clothing.   It surprises me that this comes at such a shock to the company.  I am old enough to remember when Gap stores first started appearing outside of major cities.  The inventory consisted of jeans, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc., which appealed to everyone. The clothes were well-made and reasonably priced.   Throughout the years they changed to a more upscale style of apparel and totally lost the brand for which they were known.

   The clothes for women seemed to be aimed at a certain demographic.  Teens and those in their 20’s seem to be the main market.   Unless you and tall and shaped like a pencil, the clothes are not flattering to most.   Why do so many jeans have to be low-risers?  I’m sorry, but after a couple of kids, low-riser jeans are not comfortable.  I also don’t want to worry that they will fall off when I bend down.   I remember having a pair of Gap jeans that were my favorite for many years.  I know styles change, but other companies seem to be able to design jeans that fit a wider range of sizes and shapes for the same price or less.

   The company has stated that they can’t get women’s shirts right.  I did buy two shirts last spring.  They were button down and made of very soft cotton.   Before that, I probably hadn’t bought anything for ten years.  Most of the shirts are made of a knit material that is often ribbed.  Again, you have to have long limbs for these to look good.   They are very form fitting as well.  I could probably pull this off but I like to have room to move in my clothes.   Why can’t they make shirts that have a wider appeal?

   I’m not much of a fashion expert, but don’t think it should be so hard to understand what appeals to the average woman.  Nobody seems to understand that most of us are not model materia,l and don’t need an expensive wardrobe to fit our lifestyle.   I believe Gap stores would flourish if they went back to their origins.  The baby boomers would be nostalgic, the young people would feel like they are going retro, and shoppers would return for another look.

Should Children Use an E-Reader?

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Article first published as Should Children Use an E-Reader? on Technorati.

 Last week I went to Barnes and Noble.   As I approached the back of the store, I noticed a big display promoting The Nook for children.  For some reason, this didn’t sit well with me.  It’s not that I have anything against electronic readers.  I bought one for my husband on his birthday.  He often travels for work, and in the past has been at the mercy of the airport to find something to read.  With the Kindle, he can download books to read for long plane rides.  He can pack and carry it conveniently.   The difference is he is an adult.  For children, I believe actually holding a book with pages and pictures holds much more value.

When my older daughter was a baby, we had a number of board books in the house.  She would pick them up, look at the pictures, put them in her mouth, and asked to hear the same stories over and over.  We started going to the library when she was able to walk.  This opened up a whole new world of children’s authors.  Some became such favorites we read everything they wrote.  This would not have happened without the opportunity to browse the stacks. 

 My younger daughter has been going to the library from birth.  She too enjoyed the large picture books and had her favorites as well.  The library also had story hours which added to their enjoyment.  Thankfully both my girls are good readers, but I have to believe that this was caused by the love of those picture books.  Now at ages 9 and 7, the library is one of their favorite places.

Books don’t have to be expensive.  You can find them at library book fairs, thrift shops, tag sales, etc.  It is still special when child gets a new book.  It is satisfying to see them curled up on the couch reading.  It is something to hear them tell you what is happening in the latest chapter book they are enjoying. It is such an important skill and one that needs to be fostered.

I know kids love electronics.  In some cases an e-reader might encourage them to read more.  I am all for finding new ways to help children learn.  I just wonder why everything has to look like a game or be interactive.  I don’t think an electronic device will ever replace books for children, and I don’t think they should.

The Legacy of a Strong Woman

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Article first published as The Legacy of a Strong Woman on Technorati.

Yesterday was Mother’s Day.  I started thinking about my mother, which led to thoughts of my grandmother.  Having your own children makes you appreciate the hard work raising children requires.  My grandmother did not have an easy life, but she was an incredibly strong woman who successfully raised two daughters.  She lived to be the age of 95, and in looking back, I realize that she was well ahead of her time in terms of decisions she made and how she chose to live her life. 

My grandmother was born in New York City but when she was still a child, moved to a small town in upstate New York.  There along with her 6 sisters and 1 brother, she grew up surrounded by a loving and close family.  She married a man from the same small town and had 2 daughters.  Her husband drank too much and often turned abusive.  So in the 1930’s, when nobody left their husband, she filed for a legal separation.  Of course the town talked, but she made the decision to break away.  She worked in the rug mills and other factories. The hours were long and the pay was minimal.  With the support of her extended family, her children exceled in school and went off to college.

My grandmother worked well into her seventies.  Afterwards, she cared for her brother-in-law who had suffered two strokes.  When he died, she cared for her sister who developed Alzheimer’s disease.  Life was hard again, but she took on the responsibility when no one else would.  Through it all, she had a kind word for everyone and welcomed anyone into her home at any time.  The ages of those who enjoyed her company ranged from the very young, to the old timers she had grown up with.

At 92 years old, she asked the doctor why she felt so tired.  She thought it was funny when he told her it was due to old age.  Her health failed the last year of her life, but luckily she did not suffer during that time.   She never made a lot of money and she had her share of challenges, but her life was rich in kindness and good deeds.   She had  a good sense of humor and always saw the best of people. 

I think that kind of strength finds its way into our DNA and has an effect on how we handle situations in our own lives.  Eventually I married, but I never felt that if I didn’t I wouldn’t be able to survive.  I have had a few health issues in my life, but always had a positive outlook on resolving them.  You have to keep moving forward.  You have to look at life as a challenge and accept that changes will occur over time.

I am glad that I have two daughters of my own.  I don’t prevent them from doing anything because they are girls.  I hope I can instill in them the strength to make choices which will enhance their lives, and that they will continue the legacy started so many years ago by a strong woman.

A Mom’s Perspective on 9/11

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Article first published as A Mom’s Perspective on 9/11 on Technorati.

September 11, 2001. It is one of those days one remembers where they were. I was teaching high school and had my class outside early that morning. As I entered the building, a colleague told me that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. I was in disbelief and even after seeing the images on the television, couldn’t comprehend how such a terrible event could occur.

The day only got worse with the towers crumbling and the people seen running down the streets covered in dust. Many of my students were transfixed to the news and had questions which I couldn’t answer. Others could not bring themselves to watch. I was stunned and couldn’t help but think about the future of our world. The impact was made greater due to the fact that I was 6 months pregnant.

I had married late in life and the decision to have children was not easy. Along with my age, I was a cancer survivor so the idea of starting a family contained a certain degree moral responsibility. Once the decision to have a baby was made, the emotions shifted from concern to joy. We had made the right choice. Then the world as we knew it changed forever.

As the events of the day unfolded,I couldn’t help but think about the future of this new little life we were expecting. How dangerous would it be? How many years would we be at war? How many lives would we lose as a nation and how many security measures would we have to endure in order to increase our safety?

When my daughter was born, I realized that throughout history, life goes on. We hope that future generations will live in better world. We will never forget the pain we suffered that day. We continue to support the troops who risk their lives every day. My prayers are with those who have returned physically or mentally disabled. My thanks go to the parents who have lost their children in order to provide a safer world for mine. Life does go on, and we have to continue to live in a world were hope remains a virtue.