when it came to the merchandise, Pressler also resorted to "numbers." Consumer-insight research showed that the three brands were losing market share. With the distinction between the products of the three brands becoming hazy, each seemed to be eating into the other's market share. He decided to reposition all the three brands, giving each a distinctive identity. While Gap stayed in the middle, Old Navy focused on lower prices and basic items, and Banana Republic raised prices and experimented with runway-influenced designs. The strategy yielded results in the early days. In 2003, the business bounced back after 29 straight months of same-store sales declines under Drexler. Cash flow from operation went up and Gap's credit rating rose.