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Gap to close 175 stores and lay off 250 HQ workers

Gap plans to close 26 percent of its North American stores over the next several years in an effort to streamline its store fleet.
Gap clothing is displayed at a Gap store on February 20, 2014 in San Francisco, California.

(CNBC) -- Gap plans to close 26 percent of its North American stores over the next several years in an effort to streamline its store fleet.

The retailer, which operates Gap, Old Navy and Athlete stores, will also cut about 250 jobs at its corporate headquarters in this fiscal year.

Gap estimates an annualized sales loss of about $300 million associated with the store closures. It will also take a one-time costs of up to $160 million.

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In a statement to CNBC, Gap CEO Arthur Peck said the job cuts were not driven by digital shopping shifts or current business.

"Customers are rapidly changing how they shop today, and these moves will help get Gap back to where we know it deserves to be in the eyes of consumers," Peck said in a statement.

The company will operate about 800 stores after the restructuring, Gap will operate 800 in North America.

Separately, the company reaffirmed its previous full-year earnings guidance of between $2.75 a share and $2.80 a share.

Last month, the company, which has seen seen more than a year of monthly same-store sales declines, said it was placing its bets on more compelling merchandise hitting stores this spring.

That's when it expects to see the influence of new design chief Wendi Goldman, whose résumé includes stints at Saks Fifth Avenue, Banana Republic and C. Wonder.

The brand has been criticized for not including enough color, or having the right fit, in its assortment.

"We have had a women's business challenge now for several seasons running," Peck said. "I believe we have diagnosed it correctly ... and I can promise you that the team is all over it."

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