The fashion retailer has confirmed that it will be closing all 81 of its stores in the UK and Ireland by the end of the year.
Gap has had a presence in the UK since 1987 and has had stores in the Republic of Ireland since 2006. Speculation around the brand shutting down some operations across the UK and Ireland have been rife in the past months, however this was in reference to around 19 stores. This announcement confirms that the whole Gap estate will be affected both in Ireland and the UK.
The brand has confirmed that it intends to take its business online in a phased manner from the end of August through to the end of September. This approach comes following a strategic review that explored ways for the brand to find new and more cost effective ways to maintain a presence and serve customers across key European locations.
A statement said: “In the UK and Europe, we are going to maintain our Gap online business. The e-commerce business continues to grow and we want to meet our customers where they are shopping. We’re becoming a digital first business and we’re looking for a partner to help drive our online business.”
