GAP’s retail debut in India went as expected; a hysteria-drawing entry in more than one way. Right from 11am on Saturday, May 30th, potential customers started queuing outside the 11,000 sq.ft store at New Delhi’s Select CITYWALK to make their way into the iconic brand’s first Indian outlet. In a couple of hours’ time, over 2,500 people were in the constantly lengthening queue. Such was the frenzy that company officials had to organise bouncers for maintaining order.
Speaking to indiaretailing,Oliver Kaye, CEO, Gap Business-India, says, “The response we got on the first day was amazing, but was in tandem with our expectations. This is one of the best responses GAP has ever drawn on opening day from a new market.”
While Kaye refuses divulge opening day sales numbers, he asserts, “I am sure that the kind of response we’ve got on our first day here is way better than that of any other international brand so far on an India debut.”
Talking about the product range, Kaye said, “Our product prices start from under a thousand rupees. We have a wide assortment of fashion, ranging from womenwear, menswear to kidswear and even infant wear. It is the kind of a store where the entire family can shop.”
“GAP’s colours, hues, fabrics, designs and cuts are ideal for Indian summers, we are using a lot of linen that goes well with India summers,” he adds.
Kaye feels that GAP’s logo t-shirts will be particularly among the highest selling products in the store.
The outlet was inaugurated by Kangana Ranaut, a self-confessed ‘GAP Girl’. Talking about the B-town actor, Kaye says, “Kangana’s personality goes with the ideology of GAP — ‘Fun, cool and casual’.”
GAP is set to open a second store in India by the end of this year. Speculations are rife that this outlet could be located in DLF’s upcoming project Mall of India, which is scheduled to open later in the year.
Gap Inc, which is struggling to keep its head above troubled waters, has decided to shut 65 stores, as opposed to the previous number of 50 stores.
Must Read
