Gap unveils international expansion plans for Athleta and Janie & Jack brands
Gap Inc has announced plans to expand its franchise business to enable it to take its Athleta and Janie & Jack brands overseas.
The US clothing retailer expects to initially franchise Athleta and Janie & Jack online and in shop-in-shop formats before eventually moving into bricks-and-mortar stores with proven partners.
Roy Hunt, senior vice president of Gap Inc Global Franchise & Strategic Alliances, said: “Introducing Athleta and Janie & Jack is a monumental milestone in our history and an opportunity to share more of our iconic brands with a broader, global customer base. Given the premium, gift-worthy children’s looks of Janie & Jack and the versatile, sustainable women’s performance apparel of Athleta, we feel the two brands will resonate with customers in new and existing markets internationally.”
Gap Inc has opened 100 new franchise locations over the last three years. In January 2019, the company also announced a partnership with AR Retail through which it will open 45 Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores in Central America and the Caribbean over the next eight years. The launch kicked off with an opening of a Gap store in Costa Rica in August.
Currently, Gap Inc’s franchise business offers customers access to Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy brands in nearly 40 countries around the world.
