Gap to close 81 stores in UK  and Ireland to move to cyberspace

US fashion giant Gap plans to close all its 81 retail stores in the UK and Ireland including 19 stores that were already scheduled to close in July as their losses were expanding and go online-only.

Gap is also looking to offload its stores in France and Italy.

Gap opened in UK in 1987, famous for its hoodies and sweatshirts. In recent years it struggled to stay relevant resorting to prolific discounting to attract shoppers, but global pandemic did not help.

Gap blamed on market dynamics, just like Debenham and Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group including Top Shop.