Gap Inc. expands international presence

SAN FRANCISCO In another move to expand its international presence, Gap Inc. has announced that Mexico’s leading department store chain will have exclusive rights to sell Gap brand merchandise in a franchise “store-within-a-store” concept.

The company signed a franchise agreement with Distribuidora Liverpool, S.A. DE C.V. and plans to begin selling products in the spring of 2009. Gap Inc. had previously worked with Liverpool through a wholesale agreement and during that time introduced Gap brand apparel in a limited manner to customers in Mexico.

The company also announced today that it has expanded its relationship with Fawaz Alhokair Group to include franchise agreements for Gap and Banana Republic in Egypt and Jordan. Fawaz Alhokair Group recently opened Gap and Banana Republic stores in Saudi Arabia and will now open stores in Egypt and Jordan over the next five years. The first Gap stores are expected to open in Egypt and Jordan for the 2008 holiday season. The first Banana Republic stores are expected to open in Jordan in the spring of 2009 and in Egypt for the 2009 fall season.