IBM closed the gap with Microsoft during 2002, agreeing to acquire Rational software development tools, for $2.1bn. More recently the group has mounted a series of further acquisitions. In 2005 it agreed

1 in PCs in 2007, and closing the gap with IBM in IT services by buying consultancy EDS in 2008. Yet Hurd too was unceremoniously dismissed in 2010. So was his successor less than a year later, after

Sam's Club, Gap, Lowe's, JC Penney, Dick's Sporting Goods, BP, Amazon, QVC and TJX Companies. New customer coming on-stream in 2017 include Nissan and Cathay Pacific. Another arm offers retail finance

Despite rising gas prices, that gap has continued to widen and the company now sells almost twice as many trucks & utility SUV vehicles as passenger cars. Even so, it's worth noting that Ford was quicker

Gap Inc (US) Profile subscribers click here for full profile Gap Inc is America's biggest clothing retailer, offering distinctive casual clothing through three main retail brands of The Gap, Banana

but will narrow that gap in 2018 with the purchase of rival brands Varta and Rayovac. The old Energizer company had also extended its range with a series of acquisitions in other sectors. In 2003, it

to $4.8bn, closing the gap with Pizza Hut (up only 3% at $5.8bn) and well ahead of Little Caesars ($3.5bn) and Papa John's ($2.8bn). However, the sector is widely fragmented, with small chains and independents

However, with few remaining gaps left in the women's personal care market, Dove has turned its attention to men. A new line of Dove Men+Care products was launched in 2010, and has been similarly extended

allowed Coca-Cola to close the gap considerably in 2008 and then overtake its long-time rival. According to IRI figures for 2014 (52 weeks to Jan 2015, all retail channels, Grocery HQ), Coca-Cola led

That gap continued to widen, with non-US sales peaking at 3.1m in 2012, before a dip in 2014 to around 2.8m. Rapid growth in China, where GM has joint ventures with local manufacturers SAIC and Wuling,