Good for you. Thanks for letting the rest of us know.

A human being? Someone that wears clothes? What do you think their demographic is?

Just come to show where all the jobs went, Notice that all those countries now make the bulk of our products and we wonder why We're Fu_ked

lol.

Hey... no worries, this is one of those "low paying, crimpola jobs" that none of the Wall Street Demonstrators want anyway, right?

It's Obama's "shovel ready" jobs they're all waiting for!!!

You nailed it, oneguy. Most of these snot nosed kids don't want to start working in retail anymore like most of we Americans have been doing for generations starting out in our first jobs as teens. No, they expect a "livable" wage right in their first job with full benefits and health care.

These people have lost their work ethic, and it's only the beginning of the downward spiral. I'll bet you a cool Benjamin that if you offered ANY of those jobless Occupiers in New York or elsewhere around the nation a job that required manual labor for $10-12/hr like a warehouse job they'd laugh in your face (or spit in it).

No, this is generation Z. Zzzzzzzz for sleeping through life and expecting everything to be given to you without earning it, and without merit.

Not to diverge from the previous posts, but I haven't shop at the Gap for at least 10-15yrs. Their clothes are cheaply made and unflattering unless your the size of one of their mannequins. In fact, the state of womens fashion in this country is and has been for quite some time just awful. I have not bought women's clothing, except for a few items in many years. I have been reduced to the mens dept.

Please!!!!!!!! anyone out there who buys these styles please do a 180 degree turn. I am tired of large print tops that make everyone look like their 6 months pregnant. Not to mention bell bottom pants, ugh!!!

justoneguy and 10tacle you didn't nail it, you both missed. My boyfriend who just graduated with a masters degree did apply at a few of these retail positions and got rejected. Besides if these places are losing money then why would they higher? By the way retail jobs pay more than min wage and include benefits...

Your attack on "these people" is off base with this article. Not to mention just guessing about people you don't personally know...

Their clothes are cheaply made and unflattering unless your the size of one of their mannequins. In fact, the state of womens fashion in this country is and has been for quite some time just awful.

You are so right! High end women's clothing is great, but the more mainstream brands you find at Sears, JCP, etc. are just plain tacky and awful! I rarely get to buy myself clothes because I prefer to pay a little more for a more lasting product, good thing I have a classic taste and live in the midwest where you're not expected to be fashionable. I would be doomed if I lived in LA or NYC.

My boyfriend who just graduated with a masters degree did apply at a few of these retail positions and got rejected.

Risha - if your boyfriend has a newly minted masters degree, why is he applying for a lowly retail job? What's his "masters" in there, liberal arts? I highly doubt it's an MBA or Master of Science degree. Sounds like he didn't put much thought in the course, so to speak, of his education. There are MANY jobs out there, but not many people qualified to FILL them. And your boyfriend was probably considered "overqualified" and they rejected him.

Besides if these places are losing money then why would they higher? By the way retail jobs pay more than min wage and include benefits...

Some do, some don't. It also depends on if you go part time or full time with regards to benefits. I was referencing PART time with the youths comment and all. I know. I've been there and done that both in high school and in college (that I worked my way through vs. getting a student loan and asking it to be forgiven).

Your attack on "these people" is off base with this article. Not to mention just guessing about people you don't personally know...

I saw the people interviewed and listened to them. Anytime I see someone say they don't know what they are protesting yet carry $80k in student debt and expect it to be written off while wasting time protesting DESERVES to be "attacked" (YOUR words, not mine, Risha).

Since people in the U.S. are being laid off and can't afford shopping at places like GAP and Banana Republic, they are just shipping their stores along with their jobs to other countries for a profit. Typical U.S. corporations trying to make money while creating more unemployment here in America. I used to sometimes shop at Banana Republic for clothes for work or going out out, but not anymore! I always thought those stores were pretty gay anyways!

To have seen a few people interviewed and assumed that this was the attitude of the majority is called a generalization. Secondly, while it is true that there are some that will refuse a $10-12 an hour a job, for no valid reason, it seems like the time where you were able to work your way through college was a time when tuition was not $20-$40k a year, secondly not everyone has the aptitude to obtain a "science degree", after all would you want a barely competent doctor performing heart surgery on you because he was told that thats where the jobs were? In addition, not everyone has the priviledge to live in their parent's basement, if someone did take a $10/hr job in nyc, they would be making $400 before taxes, and about $345 after taxes a week, which leads you to a monthly salary of $1380 a week, and even in the most crime infested areas of NYC you would be hard pressed to find a studio for less than $900 a month, so now're left with a disposable income of $480, let's say you don't go anywhere on the weekends,EVER, but you have to get back and forth to work at metrocard fare of $4.50 per day, which totals $90 month, now your dispoable income is at $390 a month, let's say you don't want to live in the dark and you need gas because you can't afford to eat out, the gas and electric bill that will run you about $80 a month in NYC ;taking into account the winter months, so now we're down to $310, but wait what if your mother dies or your house in on fire whie you're at work? The cheapest you can get a cell phone bill is at $80 a month, so now you have $230 in your pocket, but wait, you have to eat, let's say you eat 3 packs of ramen noodles a day, a bottle of juice and water for the week,something that will cost you about $24 a week, $96 dollars a month. Now're you're done to $134 with no cable, no internet, still needing to buy a bar of Irish Spring, a toothbrush, toothpaste and deodorant, hoping that you don't get sick or injured because you have no insurance, plus you can't afford to miss a day of work, literally, and this fun cool thing called your credit is being screwed up, because you have yet to make a payment on your student loans.."It is always better to die like men, than live like dogs"

Today57, That was truely awesome. I just had the same reality check with my Teenager. Just to encourage her to continue to excell in school. And to want for a better life, than some of her contemporaries. Great Job, breaking that down for the College Graduate.

10tacle: My husband has his MBA. When he graduated in 2006, despite his degree and business experience, he couldn't get a job. He has since joined the Navy and earned a 2nd Master's in Health Admin. Point being, jobs aren't so easy to come by just because you have a certain Master's Degree.

Overall, the Gap is closing stores because they aren't making money. They are not making money because their clothes are atrocious. I used to shop there all the time for my kids, but their clothing for the past 4-5 years is god awful. They need to fire their designers, go back to what worked before, and then they could keep the stores open. Same thing for Old Navy....cheaply made, overpriced, and hideously ugly.

Gap was a really great store for basics when they had a lot of cotton and solid colors. It has been sad to see the decline to cheap, non-natural fabrics, loud prints and sort of tacky designs. They used to have cotton socks and basic t-s and shorts, etc. well made, comfortable, simple and cotton. Now the socks are polyester blends and so seem to be most of what's there. It simply is not the store it was that had such a loyal following. I wish they could get back to their original concepts.

You act like this job situation and outsourcing of America just began 3 years ago when in fact it was a process begun under Reagan's deregulation and Republican led free trade and corporate tax policies begun in the 80's!

We've been hemorrhaging manufacturing jobs for a generation and now you Blame Obama-ites think it can be turned around on a dime.

The fact of the matter is the Wall Street demonstrators are on a different topic although the jobless situation is the clearest manifestation of what they're saying. But the big picture their speaking about stems from deregulation, insane investing in essentially legal pyramid schemes, continued outsourcing not just because of cheap labor but lack of gov't incentives for corporations to invest in America, disproportionate "free trade" agreements....etc.

These are the things that led to the recession on top of two costly wars the American people were gung ho to support, but not willing to pay for. You people need to stop being so naive and think for a change. We - the American people - who demand cheap crap, want to live the high life on credit and not take responsibility for our actions - are all part of the problem.

There is no magic bullet and the protests are about 4 presidents too late. We have the highest GDP on the planet save combined Europe, pay among the lowest taxes, demand the cheapest stuff, and for a generation was silent as our once great manufacturing base went overseas. I'm as frustrated at everyone else that I haven't seen Made In America on my s**t in generations, a reason I avoid the Targets and WalMarts and pay the extra from the boutiques. But most American's can't afford to be so righteous with kids to feed, ridiculously high health care and shrinking salaries.

Justonejerk... Hope the day comes soon you are personally Shovel-Ready, because the smells from your post show your brain is starting to rot!

@Kathleen: I just recently used a gift card to buy some t-shirts at Gap. They still have a nice selection of basic t-shirts that are cotton and very comfortable. They're a bit thin, but they hold up well. I have a few older t's from Gap that have survived many washings and are just as good as they were when I bought them. The ribbed thermal style shirts are also a great choice. I don't know about their selection for women, though. I will agree, however, that it would nicer to see more of those items in their stores.

That said, I will still avoid my local Gap outlet store like the plague. The place used to be nice, but then they moved to a smaller space and apparently decided to make that space 'roomier' by massively cutting their selection. When I went there last summer to use another gift card it was a 'lovely' selection of Gap branded hoodies and ghetto-wear shirts.

Risha,

You didn't get "higher"ed? Why, I can't imagine the reason. Perhaps you let out in your interview that omg this job is so beneath me. Maybe the store did not want to waste a week of paying and training you only to see you quit without notice when your job as master of the whine factory came through. HIGHER learning only gets you HIRED when you have intellect and character to match.

Midnight Special...Now you know why these college graduates are unable to land decent jobs! HIGHER and HIRED...wasn't that something Risha should have learned in about the 4th grade?

let-me-just-say-1-thing is right. The Gap's clothes are of very very cheap quality, poor construction and thin materials. I bought a couple of pairs of jeans there years back and never returned because they were so poorly made that the cuffs wore through and frayed after just a few days of contact with shoes. If they can't make better products and assure quality control because they are paying a pittance (perhaps a dollar or two) to make these in China and turn around and sell them for 20 X the price here.

To The Gap, I would quote the old adage: "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!" We as consumers have to learn not to go back to stores that are bilking us with cheap goods... hopefully this is some small part of the grand economic mechanism that is causing The Gap to shutter 1/3 of its stores. Though I dream of the days when the old Mom & Pop shops offered plenty of choices and competition and outstanding service for about any product or service imaginable, I realize those days are gone unless some major changes happen. Now it's a matter of making choices between the lesser of several evils, and voting with your feet by avoiding the stores that are the most egregious offenders of pandering cheaply made goods to the masses, and patronizing establishments that perhaps have a slightly better balance of quality made items for a better price. Until we create a real and vocal demand for better goods and shun the cheaply made junk pandered to us by Wal-Mart, the Gap, etc., there will be no change.

There you have it, folks: "Close US stores, expand globally." In other words, we can make more money elsewhere. More jobs lost.

OccupyTogether!!! Everyone, everywhere in the US, occupy your town/city. Finally, the silent majority is silent no longer.

Cudos, to Morpheus-2075049. You have just explained to people how we got in the state that we are in here in America. It just didn't happen here within the past 3 years this crap has been going on for over 20 years and just now people are opening their eyes to reality. It doesn't matter what degree you have, if their are no jobs how do you expect to get one. I watched my mother raise 5 kids on working hard at a job. Now people are to lazy and want everything to be given to them. What happened to teaching our kids about morals and working hard to achieve any dream that they want. Americans don't teach their kids about respect for others and to have pride in themselves anymore. (I bet a lot of people don't know that it cost less to send a kid to college than it does to house them in prison.) If we took more time to pay attention to our kids (I know that is hard when we have to work)we wouldn't have half of the mess that we have today. Also if more manufacturing jobs were here in America the quality of clothing and the styles wouldn't be so stereotypical of stick figures. We are a Nation of diverse people. We are the Nation where people are Faceless communicators.

one more company selling america out so they can move to up and coming countries thats middle classes are rising they are bailing out of our sinking ship like cowards would do oh we can invest in them but what if they lose then you have people whom lost so much just losing the rest of what they save nice gap i hope you fail too.its time to see who are allies are and enemys and then fight for what we need.WE CAN NOT WALK ALONE

Kudos, to pathofpain for nailing it. Companies are taking their products to the countries that have a growing middle-class - because they also have our jobs.

people the only way we will win is if we buy made in america products so what if we have to do with less and so what if your kid only gets one toy for chirstmas how many of their toys just sit around please dont buy cause its cheap buy american for our childrens future we must demand our companys buy from only america were in a global race and because they can make products cheaper they will win buy american products .2002-2010 42,367 companys left america and went to these other countries losing 25 million jobs dont you see we are buying our self out stop buying made in ? but buy made in america if not we will be in war with these countries because they will be the haves and we will be the have nots

Risha

...... Besides if these places are losing money then why would they higher?

For starters you need to learn the English language.

Risha, let me tell you something from a co-manager who just finished 20+ interview for this holiday season. Just because your boyfriend has a master degree does not mean he's deserving of the job. I don't know about others but for our store we look for someone who is or will be passionate about their job. Someone who we can developed and be a benchmark for us. I notice in a lot of applicants they think they are too good for the job because of the education they have and that retail job is just whatever to pass time. For us we don't reject applicants because we see that they are "over qualified". We reject them because they're not right for our store.

Store loses money not because of anything but because they don't have that passionate associates working for them.

let-me-just-say-1-thing. You nailed it. Women's clothes styles are terrible and cheaply made, not just at the Gap, but most stores in general.

We are all at fault for this recession people...here's why:
In 2004-2006 Sub prime lending got you a house with no money down. Adding to that, pay option arm loans got you the payment of $1000 bucks on a 800k houses. (this is just an example).
These factor alone cause borrowers to turn up-side-down in equity on their homes, some within 6 months of purchasing the home. Maybe the loan was or was not fully explained to the new home owner, however, that new home owner had to know that buying a house with no money down, or paying just $1,000 on a 800k (once again, this is an example) home is very risky, but this is the American cycle of greed, buying too much, and not being able to afford it.
moving on..Since these types of loans, became toxic, and ended up in fore closer due to the up side down equity factor, banks then had to eat these loans, having too many toxic loans on their books, and well, they slowly began to close down, shut the doors, and slowly stop lending.

This would ofcours effect manufactures in cutting back production, which causes layoffs...
If a manufacturer, or retailer sees that banks are in trouble, or the housing market is turning for the worst in numerous forecloses. Then, cutting back in production, in fear of going out of business themselves would explain your layoffs.

Humm, so..I think both, the middle class people, who agreed to these toxic mortgages, along with the greedy agents who sold them the loan, has alot to do with why we are now here.

Ironically, The middle-class folks took part whether we'd like to look back and access it or not.
So, stop complaining, this is our American dream, buy, spend, but you cant afford it..

Let's start looking for solutions to aid this mess, instead of all the worthless comments i have read on here that only makes matter seem more depressing...

a science not will get you good paying job. I know I bachelor in science in mechanical engineering technology. The best i can do is job changing oil at wall mart. It is who know that get you a job.

The real question here is; Why are you watching Jr. High Schoolers?

LOL!

Christopher that was a very goo done, slap the phobe where he lives

So now all these highschoolers are hanging out at Abercrombie and Fitch with their giant posters of half-naked teens. Hmmmm.... LOL

I think they became lost with their brand. At one time they had better quality merchandise and more of a selection. Their products became cheap looking and they had a few styles and that was it. All of their merchandise was pretty boring. The last two times I was in there, they had nothing I cared to buy for any price.

Interesting to note the # of stores they are opening in China where they are also sending the jobs. China's middle class is growing and the measly 380 million Americans won't be important to their bottom line when they have a new consumer base of 1.4 billion. Anyone else see where this is going.... next it will be India and their 1.2 billion consumers. Soon we won't have anywhere to shop at all except Walmart.

The real question here is; Why are you watching Jr. High Schoolers?

Maybe he/she has kids. Maybe he/she is involved in a youth program at church. Or, maybe, JUST maybe, that person is an educator. Ever think of those reasons for "seeing" grade school kids, brainiac? And another thing: you really think a pedophile will be wasting time on a blog like this? You fail at humor.

Christopher Antonacci

The real question here is; Why are you watching Jr. High Schoolers?

Did you ever think for one second that "Parents" may go shopping with their kids?? Do you not think that parents are not the ones that shop for the Jr. High School students and/or pay the bills for their kids to shop there??

I guess I stumbled on to the wrong site considering all of the childish comments within the first 20 postings!!

Wait, you're saying that Canada is not part of the United States? When did that start?

Ah yes, our little brothers to the North, the 51st state. ;-) hehehe

Fat chance on that buddy, we aren't warmongers up here. Keep your crap south of the border, PLEASE!

You tell them LetsPlayFair... It would be soon before you see these kids running from the draft into the Country with out there "Gap"...haha

We're trying, but the feds won't allow us to secure the southern border.

Frankly, letsplayfair-2938571 American aren't warmongers we do have the guts to stand up to terrorists who murder Americans. America has been keeping your butts safe for years. Also we don't give 19 year olds 'community service" for strangling their just born baby and then throwing the baby in a dumpster. We don't throw christian pastors in jail for standing up for christians and the Bible against gay/lesbian activists either. Get some reality and get some back bone!!

When Russia pushes their gas and oil exploration into your territorial waters you will be hollering for us warmongers to come to your aid EH?

Thanks for pointing this out. I, like, JUST came from an Old Navy in BC when I sat down to read this....

Ward sorry Canada is really just the US Suburbs,,,you know it, we know it.

Name something original from Canada

And DOn't say Celine Dion

You people in this post laughing at Canada might not be the best thing to do. Would you rather get your oil from the same people that want to blow up your country or Canada ? When your water system is dry (and it`s coming quicker) Where will you go ? What is happening on your southern borders ? How about your northern borders (safe & secure)!

Name something canadian? Try the telephone- Basketball- I don't have to say Celine Dion but anyone in Nevada would, with a gracious smile. Ski-doos,Sea-doos, snowblowers.

golliegee:

When Russia pushes their gas and oil exploration into your territorial waters you will be hollering for us warmongers to come to your aid EH?

Think about it abit my friend. The Canadians have served side by side US forces in many conflicts, and have questioned few, other than those that deserved questioning.

I think our friends in the Northern Hemisphere don't need to be bushwacked by their neighbor to the South. We've got enough people around the world that are growing tired of our uglyness.

Consider the fact that I said "uglyness".....for many of them - the best of the USA, when we're capable of demonstrating the "best" of us....is still pretty darn good.

Just a thought.

...got that right Bart... tho... I do fear those Canadian beer cartels pushing their 6% ABV sudsy drugs on our population.

You know, I am sick and tired of reading this types of articles. Personally, I think that it is a slap in the face by these companies. First, they ship all the American jobs overseas, literally force us (Americans) into poverty and they wander why unemployment is so high, please give me a break. They are closing American stores and opening stores in China; you dare ask why, because it is the Chinese people that are working. I am getting sick and tired of this. America is quickly on its way to becoming a third world country. Anyone that can't see it is a fool. Seriously, when did it become acceptable to just close stores for no logical reason? All you big whigs at these companies, think about it, if you keep sending our jobs overseas, we will never be able to afford your goods which by the way are so cheap that its pathetic, but what choice do we have but to buy it, everything comes from CC (Cheap China). I am sure by now, the accountants, buyers, CEOs, and whoever have figured out that they are not really saving any money by producing goods overseas, sure you its cheaper labor, but total up all costs of getting the merchandise shipped back over to Good ole America; Oh I forgot, the poor consumer eat all those costs too. My fellow Americans, I just don't know!

Gap is a lousy place to work. I have heard numerous stories from young people about constantly on-call but rarely getting called, you get fired if you don't come in on-call. That means you can't hold down another part-time job or go to school. No way to treat people. It's one of the reasons I won't shop there for myself or or my kids. I wish the old retired people here would talk to some actual young people about what it is like to work in them modern economy. I can tell you many stories about abusive working situations, constant un-paid on-call. Working "Per diem" which means only on-call. Fired for calling in sick, fired for being sick, working 80 hours a week illegally with no overtime. Fired for being in class or at another job while on-call. Sexual harrassment. Being told to working at a restaurant while having diarrhea (fancy restaurants too), The old idea of working for a family business and being treated fairly and like family are a cruel joke.

Let the Gap and all it's other stores pull up and leave. Take them all. Other stores will fill right in and they will never be missed. Good riddence.

I agree with jelbert. The Gap was just pandering cheap Chinese-made junk to everyone anyhow. See my post #1.22 above... quality at The Gap was just horrible.

wall streets not the problem its wal-mart that selling us out we need to go in there and buy a cheap tent and some cheap food and some cheap blankets and sit out in front on their doors asking for a hand out to show them what is happening to the american people sam walton would be disappointed to see that such a great ideal was the death of the country he loved so dearly buy atleast three products when you go there you will see you will have a hard time finding them

How about all Americans move to the White House. It is the Peoples house LOL

As a business, GAP doesn't have any responsibility to keep jobs anywhere. Yes, it sucks that they want to close shops here and open outside the US, but in the end, it is a business.

"Seriously, when did it become acceptable to just close stores for no logical reason?"

Are you actually serious? These are not public enterprises. They are private companies with one goal in mind - profit. How about a mom and pop store? If they want to close just because they are no longer interested in running the store, would you still feel the same?

As for cheap goods coming from China.. Do you realize that some of the best built items also come from there or other 3rd world countries? Let's see, how about the iPhone? Seems like you're complaining about the "laws" of competitive advantage and all other economic realities that any sensible company would take advantage of. The truth is that many Americans are lazy and expect things to be handed to them (to many degrees). The hard-work ethic is NOT ubiquitous in the US and is only declining. If the US really is advertising themselves as an advanced nation of laborers, then perhaps these jobs are better suited to be filled elsewhere in other countries while Americans should focus on getting jobs that are either NOT easily transportable (i.e. electrician, doctor, plumber, etc) OR jobs where there is a clear advantage to being run in the US (like a sales job that pitches to a local area).

And by the way, it IS a lot cheaper to have goods made elsewhere, even when you factor in the shipping costs. Ever wonder what it takes to ship a container from China to here? We're talking about less than a few tens of thousands of dollars. If you figure that the cargo holds about 500,000 pieces of clothing, a company like GAP only needs to save 5 cents per item (assuming $25,000 shipping costs for the entire container) to break even. Of course they are saving much more than just 5 cents per item by having it made elsewhere.

So you don't buy the clothes because you think they're too expensive, but it's their fault they have to close 1/3 of their stores. try to think about that, but don't hurt yourself.

Yes and we can thank the overreaching gov't for making agreements such as NAFTA and for the excessive regulations and taxation that kill small businesses which kills the jobs which means people don't have as much money to shop which means stores like the GAP will close here and open abroad. We are turning into a third world country thanks to gov't policies. People keep thinking that we are immune to being a third world country because we have never been. Just because we have never been doesn't mean it can't happen. It is already happening.

Great answer! I will not buy GE, Gap, Old Navy and many others. You can tell the products are from sweat shops!

I agree Robbie! When that jeff emmelt of ge was bragging all the jobs he shipped overseas as obamas advisor .I wished I could have revoked his citizenship and put the f'er against the wall.

RHcrest. You are somewhat confused. NAFTA and other trade agreements are actually government removing import taxes and quotas on trade between the treaty countries. To me that looks like less government, not more, something you guys are always begging for. Import quotas and taxes kept American companies at home, since even with lower wages overseas the total cost with import taxes would be higher in their major market - the USA. Tear down the fence of taxes and quotas with "free trade" and the American companies become multinational and run away with their jobs. Now tell us again, are you for more government involvement in trade, or less?

love reading all of the above. needed to laugh a little. its sad that those people will be unemployed. yet while more jobs go across the water.

He was talking about the excess taxes and regulations on american businesses and the free trade agreements with other nations making it harder to compete with them.

I don't believe he's asking for smaller or larger government, just smater government that our interests and not corporate interests as a priority.

NAFTA:

Conceived by Reagan Administration (1986)

Proposed and negotiated by Bush 19

Treaty signed by Bush Dec 1992

Voted for by a majority of Republicans in Congress Nov 1993 Vote Details:

The House of Representatives approved NAFTA on November 17, 1993, by a vote of 234 to 200. The agreement's supporters included 132 Republicans and 102 Democrats. NAFTA passed the Senate 61-38. Senate supporters were 34 Republicans and 27 Democrats.

Passed through Congress by Newt Gingrich 1993

Finally Clinton signed the Republicans Bill Dec 1993

Bush 2 Defended and Expanded Nafta 2008

Simple facts

Robert757A. What you are describing is still governmental interference. Do You own a small or medium sized business? Do you have a comprehensive grasp of the number of federal regulations affecting those businesses? There are departments of federal regulation created to to enforce other departments of federal regulation and on and on. It has been a tangle of strangulation for years. This all becomes nit picking however since the now, rapidly expanding one world order effectively and inexorably put in motion by self-proclaimed 'internationalists' has accelerated creation of an integrated global political and economic structure. The goal is to facilitate economic globalization- the EU,OAU,APEC and the American Union into one central bank and monetary system, one police force, one governing body, one military force and, one judicial system. This will take some time but has been a work in progress for years and now does appear to be inevitable. So The Gap seems to be quite a small fish in that pond and not really worth thinking about much unless you are the one losing your job in which case it may very well be a big deal in this job market."Free Trade" and multinationalism are here to stay. Too bad it's currently doing so much damage to the people, the economy, here, now. Hopefully it will work out well world-wide in the long run. Just hope the ''invisible government'' [ Theodore Roosevelt label] has gotten it right.

How stupid of those people to work in a bipartisan way back in the nineties Really 132 rebubs and 102 dems, how many rebubs voted against? and how many dems?

And the audacity of those Senators 34 repubs and 27 dems how dare they work together for the good of mankind.

Most would think those government regulations that are a stifling pain in the ass to small businesses come from the government just because they want to make life difficult for everyone. I recently had a nice chat with a good friend of mine from high school that is now an independent artisan cheese-maker in Michigan and is having issues with FDA regulations. She said the regulations regarding dairy processing are at the behest of the large corporate dairy processors because they can afford to meet those ridiculous regulations while small, local businesses like hers do not have the time, manpower, or money to meet them. This is how they deal with competition. Kill it while it is small. And use the government to do their dirty work. Screw the government, I'm afraid of the corporations!

Kudo's Robert as you nailed Immelt right where his mom will feel it LoL. A big salute to you sir.

The One World conspiracy theory is old and dead and stupid. Gimme a break do you really see any national leader voluntarily giving up their precious power for a "One world goverment".

UrbanPrsn--The One World financial style isn't a conspiracy and it isn't about giving up having apparent national leaders. It's about having organizations like the IMF, to which 187 countries belong, overseeing the global financial system. The international bankers and corporations prefer for you to think One World is old and dead.They didn't want you to think about in the first place. If you wanted to you could look up the stated goals of the FTAA in 2004 which I included in my reply to Robert757A.

Robbie-1437294,

You're absolutely right, especially about GE. The GE plant my father worked at in northern Ohio was closed up completely in 1985 and replaced by one in Singapore where, at the the time, the hourly wage was equivalent to 50 cents U.S. That factory wasn't the first to be shut down, either. GE has a long long history of this... keep that in mind when you're making consumer choices.

AGREED! I work for banana republic and they have streched us real thin on payroll expecting us to be super humans. the ivory tower dwellers have no idea what truly goes on in the stores..sad...

I think that is happening at most retail establishments. Went to Urban Outfitters in Tempe with my son recently and asked to see a pair of shoes (kept in the back). Clerk was on the register and she said she'd get them when she finished with the line. The line never got smaller and she kept ringing. I dumped the other items he was going to buy and we left.

The timing is so sick when American need jobs so desperately!!! @!$%# Gap!!! I wish they run out of business completely in U.S.

...Two sides to this story.

I happen to be an online retailer, some truth to it, is that, if Americans are cutting back spending due to unemployment, or uncertain if they will loss their job tomorrow, then these stores are effected obviously, which means they cant stay in business. Not sure if they intentional want to put Americans out of work, but. A sensable statment would be, how do they survive staying in business? Second, dont blame the retailer for currency exchange, ah, yeah, you forgot to explain this part, while America is so expensive to live, and China, well, maybe cheaper, and Americans mimimal wage factor compaired to china.... Do the math here, so. No one in amercan is gonna work for china wages....So, lets start by taking a bit out of The greed factor here, then maybe level out the currency to were, hey! Maybe, it wont be soo expensive to live here..

As for the tax breaks, i suggest donating to a worthy childrens non profit..Get to the "root" of things...lol

...Two sides to this story.

I happen to be an online retailer, some truth to it, is that, if Americans are cutting back spending due to unemployment, or uncertain if they will loss their job tomorrow, then these stores are effected obviously, which means they cant stay in business. Not sure if they intentional want to put Americans out of work, but. A sensable statment would be, how do they survive staying in business? Second, dont blame the retailer for currency exchange, ah, yeah, you forgot to explain this part, while America is so expensive to live, and China, well, maybe cheaper, and Americans mimimal wage factor compaired to china.... Do the math here, so. No one in amercan is gonna work for china wages....So, lets start by taking a bit out of The greed factor here, then maybe level out the currency to were, hey! Maybe, it wont be soo expensive to live here..

As for the tax breaks, i suggest donating to a worthy childrens non profit..Get to the "root" of things...lol

Companies are in business to make a profit, not to provide you with a paycheck. Two outrageously BAD things that Unions have done: #1 Give workers the idea that companies owe them something just because they exist. #2 That you should be paid high wages for menial tasks. Take these two ridiculous ideas and add a bad economic environment and bingo you get UNEMPLOYED. Once upon a time it was an Honest days work for an Honest wage. Now Unions tell you the light bulb needs changing so you sit down for the next hour, until the Electrical union guy gets there to change the Light bulb. Union bosses going to tell you this is the right thing to do, but you know in your heart its dumber than hell. A 5 year old could change the bloody light bulb. And worse yet, you think you should be paid for the hour you sit on your butt doing nothing. You can't blame companies for wanting workers who are willing to work.

Companies don't exist in a vacuum, they are essentially "citizens" of this nation. Hence, they have a moral obligation to help their fellow citizens. Yes, they must make a profit, but this is a complex world and a focus soley on the bottom line is not enough. Companies have obligations to their fellow citizens because it is those people that have helped that company succeed. Companies need to consider if they are doing the greatest good possible.

Rolk, you need to understand that the employees do not run the corporation, board members do. The board members have a primary obligation to produce and increase profits. They have no moral obligation to citizens. The obligation is to increase profits for share holders.

That's why they shouldn't have so much power in politics.

And they shrink up and loose their shape. Bad quality product.

...Two sides to this story.

I happen to be an online retailer, some truth to it, is that, if Americans are cutting back spending due to unemployment, or uncertain if they will loss their job tomorrow, then these stores are effected obviously, which means they cant stay in business. Not sure if they intentional want to put Americans out of work, but. A sensable statment would be, how do they survive staying in business? Second, dont blame the retailer for currency exchange, ah, yeah, you forgot to explain this part, while America is so expensive to live, and China, well, maybe cheaper, and Americans mimimal wage factor compaired to china.... Do the math here, so. No one in amercan is gonna work for china wages....So, lets start by taking a bit out of The greed factor here, then maybe level out the currency to were, hey! Maybe, it wont be soo expensive to live here..

As for the tax breaks, i suggest donating to a worthy childrens non profit..Get to the "root" of things...lol

Think everybody owes you, do you? And why is that? Because you exist? Because you're the perfect employee? Because you never try to beat the time clock?

Clark:

If we're going to discuss who owes who. Let's think about it a bit. This countries way of life, and its adherence to the promise of capitalism, to the point of going to "arms" to protect that economic model, is expensive both in the dollars we pay to support this country and even more expensive when it comes to the lives of those we sacrifice to ensure the continuance of this way of life.

Now....the bottom line comes when we have to start considering the value....and it hasn't happened yet....but beware....it will. What is the value of the sacrifice....if the benefits of the capitalistic system only accrue to those making investments on other shores and supporting the foreign populace with jobs that raise their standard of living while the standard of living on our shores dissolves?

Doesn't it make sense that the sacrifice need come from those that accrue the benefit? Don't forget us and don't cast us easily aside.

Talk about who owes who?

Wait til these SOB (multinationals/American) get @!$%#ed by the Chinese government. Let the Chinese young men and woman protect their investments. They are all Multinationals until they get into financial trouble, then they become American again.

agree

We as USA citizens need not complain,we must buy only made in USA, must not buy any merchandise at all from these companies moving our jobs to other countries. We must stand by this ,we don't need there merchandise, we only need these jobs that are taken out of our country. BOYCOT ALL OF THEM.

Corporation: a body of shareholders (us)

Jeannette,

We as USA citizens need not complain,we must buy only made in USA, must not buy any merchandise at all from these companies moving our jobs to other countries. We must stand by this ,we don't need there merchandise, we only need these jobs that are taken out of our country. BOYCOT ALL OF THEM.

We need better education, apparently. Decent jobs create themselves in an educated society with an economic climate favorable to entrepeneurship.

As far as consumer dollars go, companies are pressured to create better products when business goes elsewhere, like imports or another brand. BOYCOTT stupidity.

A great education does not guaranty you a job in America today. The American dream is for a few.

Another rat deserts the sinking ship..and creates a bigger hole for the ship to fill up with water. Buy American only sounds better all the time. I won't buy anything that is made in China, Vietnam, Taiwan,etc.

cbldog

I bet your computer was made in the far east

Have fun sitting around naked and starving with no computer to type your idiotic comments on.

Couldn't said it any better myself!

There may be close to 2 billion people in China but how many can even afford to buy 99cent cheeseburger????

The last thing we need is more stores. Go to any mall. There are more than enough to choose from. The GAP simply lost market share to other retailers and that is the beauty of competition. Consumers decide who wins and who fails, not the government.

Peter:

Your comment:

Consumers decide who wins and who fails, not the government.

Wish that were true when it comes to banks and money lenders as well as cloth and linen distributors.

And, we sincerely wish there would be some explanation of the relation of what happens on wall street and it's relation to consumption There should be, there used to be. There doesn't currently appear to be any understandable correlation.

Colapse..Do you find it amazing that the news is not covering even 1/2 of what is going on? What happened to investigative reporters?

I know this has nothing to do with the GAP...But did anyone see anything at all about I believe was the 5th Republican Anti abortion bill since like March, maybe Feb? Odd that our "less govt" repubs are into this yet again!

Peter 17 - I disagree - malls are dying. Our selection is narrowing. When I graduated from college in 1989, I shopped at Hudson's, Lord & Taylor, Ganto's, Winkleman's, the Gap, Jacobson's, Eddie Bauer and Mervyn's. Hudson's was bought by Macy's, Lord & Taylor is almost non-existant, Ganto's, Winkleman's, Jacobson's & Mervyn's - all gone. Consumers have few choices - overpriced high-end merchandise, over-priced low quality merchandise. The middle level, fairly priced moderate quality stores are vanishing.

There have been few replacements - Coldwater Creek & J.Jill - but I find them to be over priced and can only buy sale merchandise.

Never happen way too many lobbyist.

I think they gave up to easy. All we hear is excuses for store closings. Sales were dropping because people are shopping elsewhere not really because they don't have money to spend. See people lined up to spend money on luxury items like the iphone. Notice that the clothes in these 3 stores aren't that much different and generally uninspiring.

Maybe he gets an extra bonus if he can pack one hundred pounds of bull@!$%# into one paragraph.

golliegee that's pretty much what they get their obscene bonuses for.

I believe that when the headline reads "to shutter" they are implying closing the shutters on the windows/doors of a business. Also, as someone concerned with proofing you would think you would use correct spelling. It's losing their jobs, not loosing.

Just a note, it's "losing" - not "loosing". Slightly ironic you're pointing out spelling errors when you've made one yourself.

Shuttering stores is a term that is used all the time:

From the dictionary

shut·ter

(shtr)
n.
1. One that shuts, as:
a. A hinged cover or screen for a window, usually fitted with louvers.
b. A mechanical device of a camera that controls the duration of a photographic exposure, as by opening and closing to allow light coming through the lens to expose a plate or film.

2. shutters Music The movable louvers on a pipe organ, controlled by pedals, that open and close the swell box.

tr.v. shut·tered, shut·ter·ing, shut·ters
1. To furnish or close with shutters: locked the doors and shuttered the windows.
2. To cause to cease operations; close down: shuttered the store for the holiday.