Check out Old Navy sales getting torpedoed from within.
 
There’s a lot of weakness out there as retailers report March sales today, with cold, wet weather keeping the already skittish consumer from the stores.
 
But one chain that stands out is Gap’s Old Navy division, which is looking more like McHale’s Navy than a mighty Armada.
 
The unit posted a 27-percent decline in same-store sales in March and at least some of the damage appears to be self-inflicted.
 
A company spokesman said on a recorded message that the brand has put too much emphasis on women’s fashion, at the expense of more basic items. He said the company plans to adjust the mix to achieve more of a balance.
 
But Old Navy has a tough course to navigate as it faces competition form a host of other brands that also sell basic apparel for the family, like shorts, cargo pants and T-shirts.
 
The company brought in well-known designer Todd Oldham last fall as creative director and in February the division’s president, Dawn Robertson, left Gap in what the company called a mutual decision. Tom Wyatt, president of Gap Inc’s outlet division, took over while a search for a permanent replacement was launched.
 
But will Old Navy’s new skipper find anything seaworthy?

Also in the basket:
 
Sales from Wal-Mart, JC Penney, Target, Aeropostale, Costco and others
 
JC Penney CEO doesn’t see US downturn ending soon
 
Rite Aid posts Q4 loss on charge; outlook disappoints