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Gap to Reopen Three London Stores Before Christmas in UK High-Street Return

The openings signal a return to standalone retail, complementing Gap’s Next‑run ecommerce and concession footprint.

Overview

  • Reports indicate the Covent Garden flagship will open in early November, with widely cited dates of November 6 at 30–31 Long Acre, followed by Westfield London on December 4 and Wembley Park’s London Designer Outlet on December 12.
  • The Covent Garden store is described as an experiential space that highlights the brand’s heritage, incorporating music, vinyl and cultural elements alongside core ranges.
  • Each location is expected to carry full womenswear, menswear and childrenswear assortments, including staples such as denim, T‑shirts and fleeces.
  • Gap closed all 81 company‑operated UK and Ireland stores in 2021 as it shifted to a digital‑first strategy, a move the company attributed to market dynamics.
  • Since 2021, Gap has traded in the UK through a joint venture with Next (51% Next, 49% Gap), with ecommerce on Next’s Total Platform, four shop‑in‑shops and more than 40 concessions across England and Ireland.