Gap Inc. reported recently that it has surpassed 100 Gap branded stores across mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwa in mid-October, or less than four years after the first Gap store debuted in 2010.
The company also announced that it will expand Old Navy’s footprint faster than originally planned in mainland China, with its first locations in southern and northern China.
The first Old Navy outside of the Shanghai and Jiangsu province region will open in the special economic zone of Shenzhen this week, with plans to extend its reach even further with the first Old Navy in Beijing in December, reaching seven stores in five cities in less than a year.
“We continue to be excited by the response of Chinese customers to our brands,” said Jeff Kirwan, president of greater China for Gap Inc. “Both Gap and Old Navy have been warmly embraced, giving us confidence to continue our expansion in this vibrant region.”
In Taiwan, Gap said it will be opening its first Gap store outside Taipei in Hsinchu later this month.
The company has also been experimenting with virtual wall technology to expand its product offering to customers in current stores as well as with pop-ups that can be used to introduce the brand to new consumers.
“We want to lead the way in bringing omni-channel to life in China,” added Kirwan. “It’s early days yet, but with the addition of virtual experiences both in our Gap stores and in other non-traditional locations, we hope to offer more points of access to our Chinese customer so she can shop our brands wherever, whenever and however she wants.”