Gap is regaining market share, and its marketing initiatives continue to benefit the company. The company last fall reduced its product assortment by 30 percent at its namesake store and at its Old Navy and Banana Republic divisions. So it's moving away from the overly fashion-forward mix and narrowing its product lines.

Here you've got a situation where there is an opportunity for so many stores, and it suits a wide array of customers.

Jennifer Black

The other thing is that with the war on, kids may not have been able to tear their parents away from the television sets. That could have been a factor for some chains, like Hot Topic, coming in with weaker sales. Basically teens are very image conscious. Summer holidays are coming up, and they want to look good. Teen niche retailers are going to see sales go up heading into the summer.

Jennifer Black

[The instructors say it was clear that the students learned a great deal from the 10-week program.] You sort of see this light go off, ... Their editing takes a huge leap. They start creating stories and rhythm and making emotional high points in the film.

Jennifer Black