Gap has added Next as a franchise partner to manage its online business in the UK and Ireland, after the companies finalizes an agreement.

The fashion company will form a joint venture with Next owning 51 per cent and Gap owning 49 per cent. As per a Retail Gazette report, Next will operate Gap’s online business across the Next Total Platform, host Gap-branded shop-in-shops and offer click-and-collect options next year.

American retailer Gap is in the process of closing all its 81 stores in the UK after a strategic review of the company concluded it should move to online-only.

Mark Bertbard, President and CEO, Gap Global says, the partnership will amplify Gap’s omnichannel business and meet customers where they were shopping now.

It comes as the pandemic sped up a rise in online purchasing and online fashion giants have marked soaring sales from lockdown shoppers.