Gap has confirmed it will be closing all 81 of its stores in the UK and Ireland by the end of this year. The fashion retailer said it intended to take its business online “in a phased manner” from the end of August through to the end of September.
It added it would provide “support and transition assistance” to colleagues following the closures, though did not specify how many employees would be affected by the store closures.
Gap has been active in the UK since 1987 and has had stores in the Republic of Ireland since 2006.
There are a total of 81 stores in the UK and Ireland, according to the Gap online store-finder.
Last month speculation emerged that Gap was planning to shut down 19 stores, but today’s announcement confirms that its whole store estate in the two countries will be affected.
The announcement also comes following a strategic review aimed at “finding new, more cost-effective ways to maintain a presence and serve customers in Europe”.
Due to market dynamics in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, we shared with our team today that we are proposing to close all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet stores in the UK and Republic of Ireland in a phased manner from the end of August through the end of September 2021.
“We are thoughtfully moving through the consultation process with our European team, and we will provide support and transition assistance for our colleagues as we look to wind down stores.
