Revenues may remain sluggish as they make these adjustments, but it is the improvement in operating income that intrigues us.  The Gap Inc. reported $1.1 billion of operating income last year, which grew from $ 560 million in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in expenses.  This improvement served to enhance the bottom line, with net income growing from $502 million to $844 million. Added to this improvement in operating results is the consistency in market share gains across all four brands – Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta.  Incidentally, Old Navy has become the No. 1 specialty apparel retailer in the U.S., a boon given that value appears to be an enduring consumer trend at this time—the result of the efforts of the Creative Director of Gap. Inc., Zac Posen to modernize their existing brands and launch new ones, such as GapStudio, more recently ensures they cover the spectrum from those who are value-minded to those who crave premium craftsmanship.