Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland • Hacker News Board

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#21

Post by OJFord » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:23 AM UTC

dageshi wrote: post #16

sirius87 wrote: post #7

I wonder if this is a short-term strategy to force commercial property rents further down, and re-enter when they hit a feasible low. In India, GAP apparently uses their retail stores in an omnichannel strategy to "warehouse" products closer to customers in an attempt to provide next-day delivery. [1] [1] https://yourstory.com/2021/06/fashion-brands-omnichannel-fli... (paywalled, use reader-mode)

You might need to do that in India, in the UK it's so small relatively speaking that a couple of distribution centers in the right places can probably serve the entire country.

Or just stick it in the post / hand over to courier.

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#22

Post by toyg » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:24 AM UTC

rich_sasha wrote: post #15

Reason077 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Judging by all the signs up in windows, many retailers (and pubs/restaurants) seem to be struggling to find staff right now, at least in London. There can’t be that many retail workers still on the furlough scheme?

As of May, around 11.5m jobs are on furlough [1] with total labour force size of 35m [2]. This is slightly apples-to-oranges as one person can hold 2 jobs and be furloughed on both, but at face value it is about 1/3 of UK working population. I heard an interview with Angela Leadsom that it is very difficult to take people off furlough. Many people found another job while also getting furlough pay and are resisting go…

Ah yes, obviously the problem is those pesky regulations protecting workers... /s

A serious government would just end furlough. Businesses had more than a year to adapt their working conditions to be safe, while also having their wage bill paid by the taxpayer. It's time for them to take their responsibilities seriously.

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#23

Post by ppf » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:24 AM UTC

trwhite wrote: post #14

For tall guys, Gap is one of the few places you can buy 36" leg trousers and jeans. I wouldn't consider buying them anywhere else and the quality is pretty good too. I wonder if they even realise they almost have a monopoly on that.

It's a struggle, looking for long-leg trousers in the UK. Next also has them, and their one-from-cheapest range is good enough for me.

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#24

Post by Reason077 » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:25 AM UTC

rich_sasha wrote: post #15

Reason077 wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Judging by all the signs up in windows, many retailers (and pubs/restaurants) seem to be struggling to find staff right now, at least in London. There can’t be that many retail workers still on the furlough scheme?

As of May, around 11.5m jobs are on furlough [1] with total labour force size of 35m [2]. This is slightly apples-to-oranges as one person can hold 2 jobs and be furloughed on both, but at face value it is about 1/3 of UK working population. I heard an interview with Angela Leadsom that it is very difficult to take people off furlough. Many people found another job while also getting furlough pay and are resisting go…

The 11.5m is a cumulative figure, not the current number of jobs on furlough! That was 3.4m as of 30 April according to official statistics, and should be substantially lower by now:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/coronavirus-job-ret...

This BBC article says there's currently 1.5m still on furlough:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-57665735

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#25

Post by WesleyHale » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:26 AM UTC

sirius87 wrote: post #7

I wonder if this is a short-term strategy to force commercial property rents further down, and re-enter when they hit a feasible low. In India, GAP apparently uses their retail stores in an omnichannel strategy to "warehouse" products closer to customers in an attempt to provide next-day delivery. [1] [1] https://yourstory.com/2021/06/fashion-brands-omnichannel-fli... (paywalled, use reader-mode)

> In India, GAP apparently uses their retail stores in an omnichannel strategy to "warehouse" products closer to customers in an attempt to provide next-day delivery.

I believe this is the eventual move a lot of brick and mortar stores are going to make to compete with Amazon. I've been told by a Best Buy manager their end goal is to turn a majority of their stores into fulfilment centers.

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#26

Post by homero » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:37 AM UTC

an_opabinia wrote: post #2

From a former Gap exec: > How did your time at The Gap shape your thinking about what you do at Herman Miller? > I interviewed a guy who became my head of digital. He had worked in retail, and he said, “Do you know what excites me most about coming to this industry? I feel like I’m going from making landfill to making heirlooms.” The fashion industry is the landfill industry.

Much less toxic than most landfill though

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#27

Post by kerrsclyde » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:42 AM UTC

They were deep discounting everything, it couldn't continue. I bought my 3-year old three hoodies last month for £10, and the quality of their stuff I found was still good.

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#28

Post by DrBazza » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:48 AM UTC

karlward wrote: post #20

nly wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Primark will never die

It will probably die once all matter has been converted to Primark clothing and the Earth is nothing but a ball of thrown away hoodies and sunglasses. No further need for it then.

Sounds like Douglas Adams' shoe shop singularity.

https://hitchhikers.fandom.com/wiki/Shoe_Event_Horizon

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#29

Post by qmmmur » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 8:59 AM UTC

homero wrote: post #26

an_opabinia wrote: post #2

From a former Gap exec: > How did your time at The Gap shape your thinking about what you do at Herman Miller? > I interviewed a guy who became my head of digital. He had worked in retail, and he said, “Do you know what excites me most about coming to this industry? I feel like I’m going from making landfill to making heirlooms.” The fashion industry is the landfill industry.

Much less toxic than most landfill though

In what sense? Clothes contain tonnes of a chemicals which break down when left in the ground and the rate which we are dumping them is disgusting.

Re: Gap to close all 81 stores in UK and Ireland

#30

Post by chrisstu » Thu, Jul 01, 2021, 9:07 AM UTC

I'd say things have been heading south for Gap UK shops for the last 10 years and accelerated recently. They have been on a downward quality path for a long time with no apparent strategy. Every time you go back, they have different ranges, so no repeat purchases are even possible. Found something you like and want to buy again? Tough. And the quality got progressively worse. For basics like jeans and t-shirts, I switched to H&M and Muji about 5 years ago. I suspect we will lose Muji soon as well though.