Gap expands in Asia

Gap Inc. has ambitious plans for Asia. The US retailer group is opening its first Old Navy store in Shenzhen this weekend and another will follow in Beijing in December. Gap is also going for firsts, opening its first store in Guangzhou this Saturday, and another in Hsinchu in Taiwan later this month.

These openings will bring the total number of Old Navy stores in China to seven, while Gap will count five shops in Taiwan since its launch there in March. The Guangzhou opening will bring Gap's presence in China to a total of over 100 branded Gap stores. The brand has been active there since 2010 and also operates a local web shop.

Jeff Kirwan, Gap Inc's president of greater China, said reception of both Gap and Old Navy in China has been warm, "giving us confidence to continue our expansion in this vibrant region". He added that e-commerce has been growing in China and that Gap is looking to add interactive elements to both its stores and online services to enhance the shopping experience. The group is currently in the testing phase.

The Gap brand currently has stores in 25 cities in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, three local web shops and a store on Tmall.