Retail giant GAP has confirmed plans to close all 81 of its stores in the UK and Ireland.
It is estimated that this will result in the loss of more than 1,000 jobs.
The company said it intends to take business online “in a phased manner” from the end of August through to the end of September this year.
GAP has been in Ireland since 2016 with stores in Blanchardstown, Dundrum and Henry Street in Dublin; Opera Lane in Cork as well as an outlet in Limerick.
In a statement, Gap said: “In the United Kingdom and Europe, we are going to maintain our Gap online business.
“The e-commerce business continues to grow and we want to meet our customers where they are shopping.
“We’re becoming a digital first business and we’re looking for a partner to help drive our online business.
“Due to market dynamics in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, we shared with our team today that we are proposing to close all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet stores in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in a phased manner from the end of August through the end of September 2021.
“We are thoughtfully moving through the consultation process with our European team, and we will provide support and transition assistance for our colleagues as we look to wind down stores.
“We are thoughtfully moving through the consultation process with our European team, and we will provide support and transition assistance for our colleagues as we look to wind down stores.”
Pic: Alex Millauer
