Gap Inc. Eyes Japanese Expansion
Milan and China saw Gap openings in 2010, but the brand’s worldwide expansion is far from over. Next on the list? Japan.
Milan and China saw Gap openings in 2010, but the brand’s worldwide expansion is far from over. Next on the list? Japan.
On March 3, Gap will open a four-level flagship store in the Ginza district in Tokyo, complete with an appearance by Avril Lavigne, whose Abbey Dawn fashion line did a denim collaboration with the company, reports Women’s Wear Daily.
Gap is in the process of creating an e-commerce site geared specifically toward a Japanese customer. Currently, its global site ships to Japan, but the new site would “be more Japan friendly and establish our own online community,” explained John Ermatinger, president of Gap’s Asia Pacific branch.
Gap Inc. is also eyeing the country as a possible home for its Old Navy chain.
“We see this market as having a terrific value component to it,” said Ermatinger. “It's probably the largest component of all apparel spending in Japan so we think [Old Navy is] just a natural.”
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