Banana Republic Pampers Shoppers This Holiday Season; Packages Delivered to New Yorkers, Rides Home in San Francisco and Cell Phones Charged in Los Angeles.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 25, 1999--

This holiday season promises to be full of surprises to pamper shoppers at Banana Republic stores across the country.

Banana Republic has invented a series of customized services tailored to meet the needs of its customers and reflect the personalities of the shoppers and the cities they live in.

Beginning in late October, Banana Republic's newest flagship store in Rockefeller Center, along with the other 16 stores in Manhattan, will feature You Shop, We Drop, a personal messenger service offering free package delivery within Manhattan with the purchase of $300 or more through Dec. 30, 1999. Customers can continue to shop, return to work or enjoy holiday gatherings free of packages, while their Banana Republic purchases are delivered to them at a pre-designated time via a fleet of Banana Republic-branded sport utility vehicles (SUV) with Banana Republic packages adorning the roof and Banana Republic-attired drivers at the wheel. In addition, holiday shoppers visiting the new Rockefeller Center store can lighten their load while they shop with complimentary coat and bag checkrooms.

Banana Republic's Buy A Gift, Get A Lift -- making its second annual appearance in San Francisco's Union Square shopping district -- will return to chauffeur shoppers home from its San Francisco flagship store in one of 22 branded SUVs beginning Friday, Nov. 26, 1999, and every weekend through Christmas. Holiday shoppers need only make a purchase of $100 or more and they will be spirited home anywhere within the San Francisco city limits in a shiny black SUV with wrapped gift boxes atop. Last year Banana Republic made more than 1,500 trips during its four-weekend run, providing safe, complimentary rides to more than 3,500 holiday shoppers.

"The holidays are the busiest time of year for many of our customers, so we created ways to make shopping at Banana Republic even easier and more enjoyable," said Jeanne Jackson, president and CEO, Banana Republic.

Additional Banana Republic holiday perks at both the Santa Monica and Rockefeller Center flagship stores include:

--   Cellular phone charging: customers simply check their phones in
     for a quick charge and, even if it's only a few minutes, they can
     refresh their batteries for additional talk time. Service is
     provided for the six most popular brands of cellular phones.

--   Solstice lighting: provides customers with an easy-to-use light
     adjustment dial that allows them to see how their Banana Republic
     outfit will appear in daylight or evening light. The special
     lighting is available in all of the oversized dressing rooms.

--   Palm Computing Organizer updates: customers with handheld
     organizers from Palm Computing, a 3Com Company, may have their
     Palm III(TM), Palm V(TM) or Palm VII(TM) organizer series
     uploaded with a store directory and map so they can self-navigate
     the store. At the same time, they may get a complimentary upload
     of Banana Republic's "Can't Miss" list of the most interesting
     pleasures and treasures New York and Los Angeles have to offer,
     including the Rockefeller Center Tree-lighting ceremony, Little
     Korea and the Annex Antiques Fair & Flea Market. And customers on
     the go in New York or Los Angeles also can have a city map,
     including all the Banana Republic stores, "beamed" to their
     Palm(TM) device.

These three services make their debut this holiday season, and will be offered year-round at both the Rockefeller Center and Santa Monica flagship stores as part of Banana Republic's personal services.

The Banana Republic stores will offer special holiday hours between Dec. 1 and Dec. 23 to accommodate late night and last minute shopping.

Banana Republic, a division of Gap Inc., is based in San Francisco. Since its inception in 1978, Banana Republic has grown into one of the nation's largest apparel retailers. Known as the destination for the modern, versatile wardrobe and exceptional quality of men's and women's clothing, Banana Republic also offers a home collection, shoes, accessories, personal care products, intimate apparel and jewelry. In 1998 Banana Republic launched its first television advertising campaign and a new catalog, which is now published ten times a year. In October 1999, Banana Republic introduced BananaRepublic.com, offering customers special tools and features that allow them to customize and simplify their shopping experience. Banana Republic currently has 300 stores in the United States and Canada.

Note to Editors: Palm Computing is a registered trademark and Palm, Palm III, Palm V, and Palm VII are trademarks of Palm Computing, Inc., a 3Com Corporation, or its subsidiaries.