Today, Gap Inc. and NEXT Plc announced the opening of the first Gap-branded shop-in-shop within NEXT’s largest West End store on London’s Oxford Street, marking the first milestone of the joint venture franchise relationship between the two companies to manage Gap’s e-commerce business as well as Gap-branded shop-in-shops at NEXT locations. The location in central London cements Gap’s physical return to the British high street.
As the largest brand shop within the store, covering over 4,000 square feet of retail space, the Gap store embodies the brand’s reinvented approach to retail in the UK with an open, modern and minimal design. Customers can shop curated collections of elevated everyday essentials including denim, fleece, khakis, shirting and iconic logo product for women, men and kids. A customization shop offering embroidery, badging and monogramming will also be available to all Gap customers.
Officially announced in September 2021, the joint venture (”JV”) was formed to effectively grow the Gap business in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland through a strong local partnership. The joint venture is an important piece of Gap Inc.’s ‘partner to amplify’ strategy, which focuses on working with best-in-class companies who are experts in their markets to reach new and existing customers while supporting the business in a new and cost-effective way. As the leading UK online clothing retailer, NEXT Plc is capable of engaging customers with excellent customer experiences across powerful omni-channel platforms that extend Gap’s reach in market.
The Oxford Street opening is a major milestone within the first phase of the launch plan to re-establish Gap’s brick-and-mortar presence in the market, with work underway to migrate Gap’s e-commerce business to NEXT Total Platform as well as integrate strong operational capabilities including a comprehensive click-and-collect service, next-day delivery, and a variety of customer service options later this year.
“I am so excited at the coming together of these two iconic businesses to relaunch the Gap brand in the UK and Ireland, and in particular I’m thrilled at the opportunity to bring Gap’s Modern, American Optimism to our customers at our new London store at 120 Oxford Street,” said Jon Jeffery, Managing Director of the JV.
“We look forward to continue growing the Gap business in the UK through our joint venture with NEXT Plc,” said Adrienne Gernand, Managing Director of International, Global Licensing and Wholesale at Gap Inc. “Partnering with market leading, omni-channel retailers like NEXT Plc allows us to amplify and deliver our relevant, purpose-driven brand to meet our customers in the UK and Ireland—and with greater speed, agility, and customer services than ever before.”
