Gap has become the latest retail victim of Covid-19 in Hong Kong, shutting its flagship store in Tsim Sha Tsui and at least one other store.
The US apparel chain follows in the footsteps of fellow American retailer Victoria’s Secret, which abruptly closed its giant Causeway Bay flagship store last week.
Gap has launched a clearance sale in Tsim Sha Tsui and its Hysan Place store in Causeway Bay, ahead of their closure sometime during the next few weeks. A notice outside the Tsim Sha Tsui store advises customers they will be able to shop at other stores or on the brand’s website.
A staff member working at the Gap store reportedly leaked to local media that Gap Hong Kong will shut three more of its eight branches next month, including the recently-opened K11 Musea store. The three shops set to continue trading are at Queen’s Avenue in Central, V City in Tuen Mun and Citygate in Tung Chung.
The US fashion brand was already struggling before the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, Gap said it would close 230 stores worldwide within two years. Global sales recently recorded a 43-per-cent drop in the first quarter, worse than rival apparel retailers, in the wake of the pandemic crisis.