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Gap has returned to the UK high street after the iconic retailer opened its new flagship store in Covent Garden this week. The new London shop spans 3,250 square feet across two floors and is inspired by Gap’s first concept store in New York City. These new images show exactly what shoppers will find when they step inside. As well as iconic Gap apparel including denim, khakis, fleece, logo, and shits, there is also a curated vinyl selection from Honest Jon’s record shop. The Covent Garden reopening is the first of Gap's UK retail expansion. Another new Gap store is scheduled to open at Westfield White City on December 5, followed by a Gap Outlet store in Wembley on December 18. Both locations will stock womenswear, menswear, and childrenswear collections. Mark Breitbard, President and CEO of Gap brand, said: “We’re thrilled to return to this iconic address and reconnect with our UK customers. “Stores are the ultimate representation of our brand, and Covent Garden reflects how we’re modernizing the customer experience and scaling our global retail playbook.” Gap opened in the UK in 1987 and closed its last UK store in September 2021. It currently has four shop-in-shop concepts within Next stores, including in Oxford Street, London, Braehead, Glasgow and Trafford and Arndale shopping centres in Manchester. Gap also has more than 40 concessions in Next stores across England and Ireland. The venture is 51% owned by Next and 49% by Gap. The business also continued to trade online despite its store closures. At the time of announcing its store closures in 2021, Gap said: "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 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." In more retail news, online fashion marketplace SilkFred has collapsed into administration. The company works with 500 partner fashion brands, including Apricot, Goddiva, Pretty Lavish, and Lily and Lionel, but confirmed it has collapsed in a statement published this week on Instagram . SilkFred entered administration at the end of November and has hired financial advisory firm Quantuma to handle the process. SilkFred said on Instagram: “We’re heartbroken to share that SilkFred has entered administration. “In recent years the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has placed immense pressure on consumers, while rising costs and increasing competition from overseas fast fashion have made it increasingly difficult for independent brands to survive.”
