Final answer:
GAP's 'Superbox' for Old Navy exemplifies modern marketing strategies, focusing on subscription-based consumerism tailored for children's apparel. It reflects the historical shift in marketing to children that began in the 1980s with toy-related TV programs as advertisements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The launch of GAP's kids' subscription service 'Superbox' for Old Navy is an example of modern marketing strategies and consumerism, particularly in the context of children's apparel. This business model leverages the convenience of a subscription service with the allure of mix-and-match pieces, which taps into the consumer culture that evolved from historical patterns of consumption and the proliferation of advertising. Unlike the traditional retail consumption modes in the past, where family-run shops and peddlers were common, modern consumerism embraces fixed prices, mass marketing, and a focus on lifestyle branding as seen with department stores.
Moreover, the strategy used by Old Navy aligns with the historical shift in the 1980s when children became a target for advertisers, exemplified by the integration of toy lines with television programming, effectively blending marketing with entertainment. The 'Superbox' subscription can be viewed as a continuation of this trend, utilizing direct marketing to capture a segment of the market that is looking for convenience and tailored products for their children.