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Gap is back on UK high streets and has reopened its Covent Garden flagship in partnership with Next. The store, at 30–31 Long Acre, reopened officially on Friday. “We had many retailers knocking on our door, but we held on, and worked and worked until the timing was right. We always wanted to reopen this store,” said Mark Breitbard, president and CEO of Gap brand. “The new design is fresher, brighter, cleaner and easier. We’re loving it, and the customers are responding. The storytelling is more interesting. I love it when I hear people ask if the assortment is different. But it’s not — it’s the same,” said Breitbard. READ MORE Drivers face new monitoring device in cars under UK pay-per-mile tax A new Gap store is scheduled to open at Westfield White City in west London on December 5, followed by a Gap Outlet store in Wembley on December 18. Both locations will carry women’s, men’s, and children’s wear. Breitbard said he sees the Long Acre store as a “north star” for future U.K. shops-in-shop, and said the partnership with Next is flourishing. “They are formidable, and they know how to operate. I have always been impressed with their business acumen. Collectively, as partners, we’re excited about rebuilding the brand in the U.K.,” he said. 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 also has more than 40 concessions in Next stores across England and Ireland. The venture is 51% owned by Next and 49% by Gap. At the time of announcing its store closures in 2021, including in Birmingham , 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."
