US retail giant Gap to close all UK shops

High street retail giant Gap has announced it will be closing all stores in the UK and Ireland by the end of 2021.

The American company said it intends to take business online “in a phased manner” from the end of August through to the end of September.

The clothing retailer added it would provide “support and transition assistance” to colleagues following the closures, though it did not specify how many employees had been affected.

The retailer has been active in the UK since 1987 and has had stores in the Republic of Ireland since 2006.

The announcement comes following a strategic review aimed at “finding new, more cost-effective ways to maintain a presence and serve customers in Europe”.

Gap 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.

“Due to market dynamics in the UK 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 United Kingdom 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.”