Gap has revealed its comeback to the UK high street with the launch of three new standalone stores. The American fashion brand is set to unveil its flagship store in Covent Garden on November 6, followed by openings in Westfield London on December 4 and Wembley Park London Designer Outlet on December 12.
According to reports from fashion industry publication Drapers, each of the new Gap stores will carry a variety of Gap clothing and collections. Gap first entered the UK market in 1987 and shut down its last UK store in September 2021.
Currently, Gap operates four shop-in-shop concepts within Next stores, including locations in Oxford Street, London, Braehead, Glasgow, and Trafford and Arndale shopping centers in Manchester. Additionally, Gap has over 40 concessions in Next stores throughout England and Ireland. The partnership is structured with Next owning 51% and Gap holding 49% ownership. Despite physical store closures, Gap has maintained its online presence.
In a statement made during the announcement of store closures in 2021, Gap mentioned the impact of market conditions in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The company stated plans to gradually close all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet stores in the UK and Ireland from the end of August through the end of September 2021. Support and transition assistance will be provided to affected employees during the wind-down process.
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. The expansive 80,000 sq ft 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 a diverse selection of M&S sandwiches, salads, and wraps. The M&S coffee shop, accommodating 200 seats, will serve freshly cooked breakfast items, toasties, wraps, sandwiches, barista-made coffee, and iced beverages.
M&S’ Bristol Cabot Circus store is part of a larger plan that includes the opening of sixteen M&S stores across the UK in the current financial year. This initiative is part of a significant £300 million investment by the company.
