Retail giant Gap has revealed its comeback to the UK high street with three new standalone outlets. The US fashion retailer will launch its new flagship store in Covent Garden on November 6, followed by branches in Westfield London on December 4 and Wembley Park London Designer Outlet on December 12.
Fashion trade publication Drapers revealed that each outlet will feature a comprehensive selection of Gap apparel and collections. Gap first arrived in the UK in 1987 and shuttered its final UK store in September 2021. The brand currently operates four shop-in-shop concepts within Next stores, including locations on Oxford Street, London, Braehead, Glasgow and Trafford and Arndale shopping centres in Manchester.
Gap also maintains more than 40 concessions in Next stores throughout England and Ireland. The partnership is 51% owned by Next and 49% by Gap.
The company maintained its online presence despite closing its physical stores.
When announcing its store closures in 2021, Gap stated: “Due to market dynamics in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, we shared with our team today that we are proposing to close all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet stores in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in a phased manner from the end of August through the end of September 2021.
“We are thoughtfully moving through the consultation process with our European team, and we will provide support and transition assistance for our colleagues as we look to wind down stores.”
Earlier this month, Marks & Spencer (M&S) confirmed the opening date of a huge new city centre store.
It came after the retailer announced 11 closures across the UK as part of a wider restructuring plan.
