Gap, the US clothing retailer, is to open four stores and an e-commerce operation in China this year in its most significant overseas expansion in more than a decade.
The retailer said it would open two stores in Beijing, including one on Wangfujing, the capital's main shopping street, and two in Shanghai. All four stores, to be owned and operated by Gap, will be large by local standards at more than 17,000 sq ft and will sell clothing from its adult, kids and baby Gap lines.
Gap said in a statement that the move into China “marks the start of a long-term, multi-channel consumer market entry strategy . . . that involves more stores in major regions, including Hong Kong, in the coming year”.