LONDON: Gap, a US apparel manufacturer, announced Thursday that it will close its 81 stores in the United Kingdom and Ireland by September but will remain online as it transitions to a “digital first business” in the region (Jul 1). Gap also stated that it has potential bidders for its French and Italian stores.
The decision comes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns, which have wreaked havoc on brick-and-mortar stores while boosting internet purchasing.
“We will continue to operate our Gap online business in the United Kingdom and Europe,” Gap stated in a statement.
“We want to meet our clients where they are buying,” the company said, adding, “We’re becoming a digital first firm.”
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From the end of August until the end of September, the firm plans to close all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet locations in the UK and Ireland in a gradual manner, according to the company.
According to Gap, the decision was made “due to market conditions” in both nations.
Gap first opened its doors in the United Kingdom in 1987, and in Ireland in 2006.
The move comes after a “strategic evaluation” of the retailer’s European operations, which began last year “with the goal of identifying new, more cost-effective methods to maintain a presence and serve customers” in the region, according to the retailer.
Gap said it was in talks with FIB Group’s Hermione People and Brands to take over its outlets in France.
Last Monday, French antitrust regulators approved FIB’s purchase of Gap’s 21 French stores.
Gap said it was in talks with an unnamed partner about the possibility of selling its stores in Italy./n
