Old Navy
Gap Inc. · United States
Old Navy is the value-priced family apparel brand of Gap Inc., launched in 1994 under then Gap chief executive Mickey Drexler. With more than 1,200 stores, mainly in the United States, it is Gap Inc.'s largest brand and one of the biggest US clothing retailers.
| Founded | 1994, Colma, California |
|---|---|
| Founder | Millard Drexler (then Gap CEO) |
| Owner | Gap Inc. |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, United States |
| Stores | More than 1,200 (Gap Inc.) |
| Website | oldnavy.gap.com |
What is Old Navy?
Old Navy is an affordable fashion and accessories brand for the whole family, owned by Gap Inc., which also owns Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. It is headquartered in San Francisco and sells clothing for women, men, children and babies at value prices. Gap Inc. is led by chief executive Richard Dickson, and designer Zac Posen was appointed Old Navy's chief creative officer in 2024.
History
Old Navy grew out of Gap Warehouse, a lower-priced format tested in 1993 in former Gap outlet locations. Under Gap chief executive Millard "Mickey" Drexler, the concept was renamed Old Navy Clothing Co. in March 1994, and the first store opened in Colma, California. In 1997 it became the first retailer to pass 1 billion US dollars in sales within its first four years. By 2000 it had about 500 stores. In February 2019 Gap Inc. announced plans to spin Old Navy off as a separate listed company, but the separation was called off in January 2020. Old Navy left China in 2020.
Products and positioning
Old Navy focuses on affordable, everyday fashion for families, from denim and activewear to kidswear and baby clothes. Its tagline is "We believe in the democracy of style and service". In 2026 it extended the brand with Old Navy Beauty Co. and Old Navy Sport, and released a collection with designer Joseph Altuzarra.
Business model and distribution
Old Navy operates more than 1,200 stores, overwhelmingly in the United States, plus e-commerce. Key features include:
- Stores across the United States, its core market.
- An online business supported by Gap Inc.'s shared infrastructure.
- Family-oriented assortments, extended in 2026 into beauty and sportswear.
Gap Inc. describes Old Navy's mission as resting on inclusivity, opportunity and sustainability.
Why it matters
Old Navy is the financial backbone of Gap Inc. and one of the largest value apparel brands in the US. Its performance is closely tied to the spending of middle- and lower-income American families, making it an important indicator for the US mass market and for Gap Inc.'s turnaround.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Old Navy?
Old Navy is owned by Gap Inc., the San Francisco based company that also owns Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. Gap Inc. planned to spin Old Navy off in 2019 but cancelled the separation in 2020.
Are Old Navy and Gap the same company?
Yes, both are brands of Gap Inc. Old Navy was created in 1994 as a lower-priced sister brand to Gap and is now the group's largest brand.
