NEW YORK, Feb 1 (Reuters) - Gap Inc (GPS.N) said that the head of its namesake chain in North America is leaving the company on Friday, and the company said it would disclose the identity of the executive's replacement in "the next day."

Gap, which also operates the Old Navy and Banana Republic chains, also said it was "comfortable" with the current consensus profit forecast for its full 2010 fiscal year. The retailer said it would comment on its outlook on Thursday, when it reports its January sales results.

Wall Street analysts on average are expecting companywide a profit of $1.82 per share for the full fiscal 2010 year, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Gap did not disclose why the executive, Marka Hansen, is leaving. But sales at Gap's namesake North American stores open at least a year fell 8 percent in December.