Gap is set to make a comeback to the UK high street by opening three new standalone stores. The American clothing brand will debut its flagship store in Covent Garden on November 6, with subsequent branches in Westfield London on December 4 and Wembley Park London Designer Outlet on December 12.
According to fashion industry publication Drapers, each store will carry a variety of Gap clothing and collections. Gap first entered the UK market in 1987 and closed its last UK store in September 2021. Presently, Gap operates four shop-in-shop concepts within Next stores, located in Oxford Street, London, Braehead, Glasgow, Trafford, and Arndale shopping centers in Manchester.
Moreover, Gap has over 40 concessions in Next stores across England and Ireland. Next holds a 51% stake in the venture, while Gap owns the remaining 49%. Despite the closure of its physical stores, Gap has continued its online operations.
On the other hand, M&S has disclosed the opening date for its new flagship store in Bristol. The supermarket will inaugurate its branch in Cabot Circus in Bristol city center on November 13. The expansive 80,000 sq ft store will feature M&S food, clothing, home, and beauty products spread over three floors.
The foodhall will include an in-store bakery, fresh market specials from M&S Select Farms, as well as a wide array of M&S sandwiches, salads, and wraps. Additionally, the M&S coffee shop will accommodate 200 seats, offering freshly cooked breakfast rolls, toasties, wraps, sandwiches, barista-made coffee, and iced drinks.
M&S’ Bristol Cabot Circus store is part of a larger plan, with sixteen M&S stores scheduled to open across the UK in this financial year, including the Bath Southgate branch, as part of a £300 million investment.