Gap Inc. is expanding its popular women’s athletic apparel brand with plans to open between 20 and 30 stores annually across North America, including Canada.
Athleta is set to launch online in Canada this summer, and will open its first ever Canadian stores this Autumn at Yorkdale Shopping Centre in Ontario and Park Royal Shopping Centre in West Vancouver, British Columbia.
According to Gap, the company will consider wholesale partnerships and international expansion through franchise-operated stores to assist in the brand’s growth on a global scale. Last year, Athleta had more than 200 stores, surpassed $1bn in net sales and saw a 16 per cent annual sales growth with a double digit e-commerce growth.
“International expansion is a key component of our growth strategy to reach two billion dollars in net sales by 2023, and we are very proud to introduce Athleta to customers in Canada,” said Mary Beth Laughton, President and CEO, Athleta. “As a purpose-driven brand, we are excited to expand our community of empowered and confident women and girls to Canada and bring them a differentiated and inclusive offering in the performance lifestyle category.”
