Gap opens first stand-alone store in Mexico

Previously, Gap Inc. offered Gap-branded merchandise in a franchise “store within a store” concept in Liverpool Department stores throughout Mexico. This stand-alone store opening signifies an evolution in consumer awareness and affinity for the Gap brand and Gap Inc.’s continuing focus on providing American style to consumers around the globe.

“We are excited to expand on our product offerings in Mexico and bring Gap’s unique store experience to customers,” said Stefan Laban, managing director of strategic alliances for Gap Inc. “A stand-alone store is the natural next step for expanding our presence in the country. Consumers responded positively to our initial product offerings in Mexico, so we believe there is tremendous opportunity for us in the market for this store and beyond.”

Building on its existing wholesale relationship with Distribuidora Liverpool, S.A. DE C.V., Gap will open its store in the newly designed Interlomas Mall, which sits in the northern suburb of Interlomas just outside of Mexico City. The 10,000 square foot store will house Gap, GapKids and babyGap collections.

Opening on the heels of the successful launch of the first Gap stores in Central and South America, the Mexico City store signifies the next step in the company’s plans to continue to grow its footprint in the regions. Additional store openings planned for 2012 include:

Colombia: Gap Inc. has expanded its existing agreement with retail partner Superior International to open its first Gap stores in Bogota and Medellin this October. A Banana Republic store will also open in the country later this year in Medellin. Gap Inc. partnered with Superior to open its first Panamá store earlier this year.

Uruguay: Gap Inc. has signed a new agreement with Neutral Duty Free to open the first Gap store in Uruguay later this year. “Latin America hosts some of the fastest growing retail markets in the world with extremely high brand recognition for both Gap and Banana Republic,” said Laban. “This, combined with the tremendous response to the launch of Gap and Banana Republic in Chile and Panamá, makes us confident there is significant opportunity for our brands in Uruguay, as well as other countries in the region.”

In 2010, Gap Inc. first made its products available to consumers online in Panamá, Colombia, Uruguay, Chile, and Peru along with several other Latin American countries through its international shipping provider.

Gap Inc