Gap continues UK return with more Next concessions

By

Nigel TAYLOR

Published
Nov 14, 2022

Gap’s return to physical retail in the UK continues. The US brand, which was once a staple on virtually every major high street, has opened its fifth and sixth shop-in-shops within retail partner Next’s stores in Glasgow’s Braehead Shopping Centre and Manchester’s Trafford Centre.

The new retail units now mean Gap adds to its visibility in Next stores alongside London’s Oxford Street, Lakeside Thurrock, Birmingham Bullring and Manchester Arndale.

The new 1,300 sq ft shop-in-shop at Braehead and the 2,554 sq ft at Manchester Trafford Centre both stock the retailer’s full range of menswear, womenswear, kidswear/babywear.

Steve Gray, Head of European Retail Asset Management at Global Mutual, which operates Braehead Shopping Centre, said: “Gap is a great addition to our leading fashion offer here. This is an iconic, quality brand and one our visitors already know and love.”

Next agreed to manage Gap’s business in the UK and Ireland in September 2021 with Next owning 51% of the joint venture while Gap owns 49%.

The addition of Gap to Braehead follows several other openings at the shopping centre over recent months, including H&M, Flannels, Vanilla, Lids, Lovisa and a new Laura Ashley concession in Next Home.