We went to Banana Republic to see why the retailer is in so much trouble

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Banana Republic

Marina Nazario/Business Insider

Banana Republic prides itself on its "updated classics with a twist," as Art Peck, the chief executive of its parent company Gap Inc., put it recently.

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The twist isn't resonating with consumers. Instead of being a stylish, go-to destination - Banana Republic's efforts to appeal to a younger demographic have it looking more like a high-priced Forever 21.

Comparable sales - those in stores open at least a year - fell 12% in the third quarter, the company said last week.

Even CEO Peck was frustrated.

"I am very disappointed by the deceleration that we have seen, particularly with Banana in the back half," he said on the company's third-quarter earnings call on Thursday. "That's been a real disappointment to me, and a bit of a surprise."

We went to the store to see why Banana Republic is struggling. A representative for Gap decline to comment further for this story.

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