// Gap announces plans to permanently close 19 stores across UK and Republic of Ireland
// It decided not to extend the store leases on July 31 due to a strategic review underway
// Gap plans to close all 129 company-owned European stores and its UK warehouse in Rugby
Gap is reportedly set to permanently close 19 stores across the UK and the Republic of Ireland once leases expire on July 31.
The fashion retailer has decided not to extend the store leases due to a strategic review, which was first launched last year.
The store locations have not yet been revealed, Drapers reported.
READ MORE: Gap fights landlords to close all UK stores in July
The remaining 50 standalone and outlet stores across the UK and Ireland are still under review.
The stores will therefore continue to operate until a decision has been made.
As part of Gap’s strategic review, it is aiming to secure store partnership deals for each European country it operates in, including the UK, France, Italy, and Ireland.
The US retailer has managed to secure partnership deals in France and Italy.
It has not yet confirmed a partnership deal for the UK and Ireland.
In October last year, Gap announced that it was considering shifting its operations to a franchise-only model in Europe.
This would mean closing all of its 129 company-owned European stores and its UK warehouse in Rugby.
In December, Gap confirmed it will close one of its two stores on Oxford Street in central London.
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