US fashion giant GAP has announced that it is closing all of its 81 stores in the UK and Ireland. It has been reported that the brand will move completely online. GAP has said that it will close its stores "in a phased manner" between the end of August and the end of September including 19 stores that were already scheduled to close in July. 

The company, however, has now disclosed how many employees the closures will affect.

A spokesperson for the business said: "The e-commerce business continues to grow and we want to meet our customers where they are shopping. We're becoming a digital-first business and we're looking for a partner to help drive our online business.

"However, due to market dynamics in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, we shared with our team today that we are proposing to close all company-operated Gap Specialty and Gap Outlet stores in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in a phased manner from the end of August through the end of September 202."