Gap has revealed its comeback to the UK high street with the launch of three new standalone stores. The American clothing retailer is set to unveil its flagship store in Covent Garden on November 6, with subsequent openings at Westfield London on December 4 and Wembley Park London Designer Outlet on December 12. Each of these stores will feature a selection of Gap apparel and collections.
According to industry publication Drapers, Gap first entered the UK market in 1987 and shut down its last UK store in September 2021. Currently, 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. Additionally, Gap has over 40 concessions in Next stores throughout England and Ireland. The collaboration between Gap and Next is structured with Next holding a 51% stake and Gap holding 49%. Despite the closure of physical stores, Gap has maintained its online presence.
In a statement following the announcement of store closures in 2021, Gap mentioned market conditions in the UK and Ireland as the reason for the decision. The company expressed its commitment to supporting and assisting employees through the transition as stores wind down.
In other retail news, M&S has disclosed the opening date for its new flagship store in Bristol. The supermarket will inaugurate its branch in Cabot Circus in Bristol city center on November 13. Spanning 80,000 square feet across three floors, the store will offer M&S food, clothing, home, and beauty products. The foodhall will feature an in-store bakery, fresh market selections from M&S Select Farms, and a variety of sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Additionally, the M&S coffee shop will accommodate 200 seats and serve a range of breakfast items, sandwiches, and beverages.
The Bristol Cabot Circus location is part of M&S’s plan to open sixteen stores across the UK in the current fiscal year, including Bath Southgate, as part of a significant £300 million investment.
