Gap has announced its comeback to the UK high street with the launch of three new standalone stores. The renowned US clothing 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 Drapers, a leading fashion industry publication, each store will feature 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, located in Oxford Street, London, Braehead, Glasgow, and Trafford and Arndale shopping centers in Manchester.
Gap also has over 40 concessions in Next stores throughout England and Ireland, with Next owning a 51% stake in the venture and Gap holding 49%. Despite the closure of physical stores, Gap has maintained its online presence.
In a statement issued during the announcement of 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 planned 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 engaging in the consultation process with our European team and will provide assistance to our employees as we proceed with store wind-downs.”
In other retail developments, M&S has disclosed the opening date for its new flagship store in Bristol. The supermarket will inaugurate its Cabot Circus branch in Bristol city center on November 13. The 80,000 sq ft store will offer a range of M&S products, including food, clothing, home essentials, and beauty items 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. Additionally, the M&S coffee shop will accommodate 200 seats and serve freshly prepared breakfast items, toasties, wraps, sandwiches, as well as a variety of coffee and iced beverages.
M&S’ Bristol Cabot Circus store is part of a larger plan that includes opening sixteen M&S stores across the UK in the current financial year, with locations such as Bath Southgate, as a component of a £300 million investment.