US casual apparel retailer Gap Inc yesterday said it plans to open its first store in Taiwan in the first half of next year in an effort to extend its presence in Asia.
Gap is the latest in a slew of global clothing retailers, including Spanish fashion brand Zara and Japanese casual clothing brand Uniqlo, to venture into Taiwan.
“We’re excited to bring Gap’s versatile, great fitting casual American style to Taiwan next year,” Jeff Kirwan, Gap president of Greater China, said in a press release.
The US firm plans to open a flagship store in downtown Taipei and an e-commerce site for the local market, according to the statement.
The firm also plans to open the first store of its less expensive brand Old Navy in Shanghai, China, and an e-commerce site there in the first half of next year, the statement said
“China continues to be an important component of our overall expansion strategy and we are confident Old Navy will resonate very well with Chinese consumers,” Gap CEO Glenn Murphy said.
Gap operates 60 stores in 17 cities across China and Hong Kong, after entering the Chinese market in late 2010.
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