It has been a dismal 2016 for Gap Inc. (NYSE:GPS), with the company struggling against revenue and comparable store sales declines for the second year in a row. Gap has been unable to post a quarterly comparable sales increase since the fourth quarter of 2014. Banana Republic can be identified as the weak link for the company, with lackluster product assortment pushing customers away from the brand, and with the consumers unwilling to pay the premium prices it once commanded. Consequently, the brand is falling into the same trap as Gap, by resorting to discounting and deals to get rid of the built up inventory. The brand has not reported a positive monthly comparable sales for over a year. This, however, changed in November when the company reported a 5% increase in comps for the brand, and 8% growth, if the impact of a distribution center fire are excluded.