Gap and M&S UK to reopen with heavy discounts; Primark to hold back unsold stock

Gap, Primark and M&S lovers in the UK have been waiting for some time to see their favourite brands in the stores.

15 June is the chosen day!

Following all Government guidelines, Gap will be reopening their UK stores on 15 June with 60 per cent discounts on sale products. Besides, the American retail giant will also be giving 40 per cent discount on full-priced products in store.

Through sales and discounts, Gap, like many of its competitors, intends to bring in more customers to the stores.

However, many other retailers have decided to adopt a cautious approach to sales. While initially there could be a huge rush of shoppers to the stores, there is a fear that heavy discounts could further make things unmanageable on the high street, which could put a big question mark on social distancing measures.

In this regard, the 171-year-old UK-based department store Harrods plans to open an outlet store next month at Westfield London to clear the current season stock as it will help control the crowd at its Knightsbridge flagship.

Primark, which too plans to reopen all of its 153 stores on 15 June, will introduce social distancing rules in its stores that include perspex screens at tills and hand-sanitiser stations, which is expected to control the crowd.

Unlike Gap, Primark is not going for heavy discounting. It will be holding back unsold stock till next year and focus on non-seasonal basic clothing like underwear without offering any big discounts.

M&S too reopens most of its stores on 15 June, and once open all M&S lovers could get as much as 50 per cent discount on all their favourite products. However, the retailer like many of its rivals will be following physical distancing guidelines to ensure crowd is managed without fail. Till will have Perspex screen and contactless payment will be encouraged.