Gap has revealed its comeback to the UK high street through the launch of three new standalone stores. The renowned American clothing brand is set to open its flagship store in Covent Garden on November 6, with subsequent branches in Westfield London on December 4 and Wembley Park London Designer Outlet on December 12.
According to reports from fashion industry publication Drapers, each store will carry a variety of Gap clothing and collections. Gap first entered the UK market in 1987 but closed its last UK store in September 2021. Presently, the brand operates four shop-in-shop concepts within Next stores located in Oxford Street, London, Braehead, Glasgow, and Trafford and Arndale shopping centers in Manchester.
Moreover, Gap maintains over 40 concessions in Next stores throughout England and Ireland. The partnership is structured with Next owning a 51% stake and Gap holding the remaining 49%. Despite the closure of its physical stores, Gap has sustained its online presence.
In a statement released during the announcement of its store closures in 2021, Gap mentioned, “Due to market conditions in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, we have informed our team of the proposed closure of all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet stores in the UK and Ireland in a phased approach from the end of August to the end of September 2021. We are working closely with our European team through the consultation process and will provide assistance to our employees as we proceed with the store wind-down.”
In other retail news, M&S has disclosed the opening date of its new flagship store in Bristol. The supermarket will inaugurate its new branch in Cabot Circus in Bristol city center on November 13. Spanning 80,000 square feet, the store will offer M&S food, clothing, home, and beauty products across three floors.
The foodhall will feature an in-store bakery, fresh market offerings from M&S Select Farms, and an extensive selection of sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Additionally, the M&S coffee shop will accommodate 200 seats and serve a range of freshly prepared breakfast items, sandwiches, coffee, and iced beverages.
The Bristol Cabot Circus location is one of sixteen M&S stores opening across the UK this fiscal year as part of a £300 million investment.