This weeks question was do you shop at the Gap? The majority of those that responded to the survey stated that they do shop at the Gap. What most individuals do not realize is that Old Navy and Banana Republic are branches of the Gap and also fall in the category of sweatshop.
The primary Gap factory is in New Delhi, India. Workers are paid way less than minimum wage, often work longer hours that permitted and work seven days a week. Gap workers make 25p an hour which is not enough to support a family. According to the Guardian (2010), workers who told their employers they did/ could not work over time were told they either work over time or find another job. Currently there are little safety regulation in placed within the factories.
I am a big fan of Old Navy jeans! It is hard for me to find the perfect jeans and I have found Old Navy jeans to fit well. The majority of my friends that shop at the Gap feel that they have the best fitting jeans. I personally like the Gaps sweaters and sales. The idea of not shopping at the Gap or Old Navy will be very difficult for me to do. I currently have a gift card for Old Navy and the decision to use or not to use the gift card is a difficult one to make.
My question for viewers is if you do shop at the Gap, Old Navy , or Banana Republic because there jeans fit the best is, are you willing to find a perfect pair of jeans at another store?
Interesting Websites
http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/responsibleshopper/company.cfm?id=229
http://www.globalexchange.org/blogs/peopletopeople/2012/10/24/gap-and-death-trap-factories/
Use the gift card to buy clothes for the homeless. Though it's not a perfect solution, the money has already been pocketed by Old Navy from whomever purchased it for you. And in return, you won't feel as badly using it for a purchase for someone in need. I don't purchase my jeans from The Gap or any of its partners, but I do find my best fit at AE.
ReplyDeleteHey we watched this Empathy Building Video in Class and it mentioned the idea of a Empathy Museum that spoke of this issue. It was really interesting.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.filmsforaction.org/watch/join_the_empathy_revolution/
Diane, I don't shop at the GAP or Banana Republic. However I do flip-flops in the summer from Old Navy. As far as clothes from old Navy I do have one pair of jeans, but they are not my favorite. I think that I can do without Old Navy, GAP, & Banana Republic. But it's my Levi's I can't do without!
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