Gap Inc. Teams Up With Chalhoub Group to Grow Middle East Business
Will Gap’s iconic logo hoodie be a hit in the United Arab Emirates? A new partnership will test the brand’s global appeal. This weekGap Inc. announced it has entered a strategic partnership with Chalhoub Group,. . .
Will Gap’s iconic logo hoodie be a hit in the United Arab Emirates? A new partnership will test the brand’s global appeal. This weekGap Inc. announced it has entered a strategic partnership with Chalhoub Group, the Dubai-based luxury goods retailer and distributor, to bring the Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta brands to theMiddle East. Gap Inc. will rely onChalhoub Group‘s regional expertise to deliver a seamless omnichannel experience while creating new opportunities to connect consumers with the brands. The partnership will introduce Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta through a phased omnichannel rollout. Online launches will be phased throughout the remainder of the year across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, followed by the opening of physical stores across the region in 2027. Global expansion has been an area of focus for Gap Inc. In March, the company entered a strategic partnership with apparel groupFashionatato bring the Gap brand to Australia. The San Francisco-based company said the partnership with Chalhoub reflects its “continued investment in the region” and its ambition to connect more customers with local relevance. “Gap Inc. was built on the idea of bringing modern American style to people everywhere, and this partnership with Chalhoub Group allows us to do that in one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-growing retail regions,” said Eric Chan, Gap Inc. chief business and strategy officer. “Together, we will expand the reach of Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta across the GCC with a digitally led, locally relevant experience that celebrates the distinct identity of each brand while deepening our connection with customers across theMiddle East. ”Chalhoub has a portfolio of managed brands, joint ventures, and other strategic partnerships with brands like Dyson, Fendi, Jacquemus and Sephora. David Vercruysse, president of managed companies, Chalhoub Group, said the company is eager to leverage its deep understanding of the consumer and the region’s cultural dynamics to amplify the presence of Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta. “We are particularly excited about this partnership withGap Inc. , a group that is increasingly consolidating its cultural relevance on a global scale, with a clear and distinctive product and brand identity that speaks powerfully to both loyal customers and new generations. This is reflected in strategic collaborations with the new icons of pop culture, and a renewed creative direction that has given the brands a precise and recognizable identity,” he said.