Banana Republic to Launch Paris Flagship

Gap Inc. (San Francisco) is taking its Banana Republic brand to France, with its first store due to open in Paris by the end of the year.

“Following the success of our London and Milan openings, we are delighted to bring Banana Republic to Paris and take another exciting step in our international growth strategy,” says Stephen Sunnucks, president, international, Gap Inc.

The 16,000-square-foot, two-level flagship will be located in an 1888 Haussmann-style building on the Avenue des Champs Élysées, one of the most popular international shopping destinations in the world. The store will incorporate some of the building’s original features, including contemporary white and black diamond marble floors combined with limestone, marble feature staircase and an old era-style lift offering elegant access to the main shopping area. Other design details include a Charles Edwards chandelier, French Art Deco antiques, curved ebony paneling, black enamel detailing create and neoclassical arches.

Parent company Gap Inc. operates stores under the Gap, gapKids and Old Navy banners, including more than 600 Banana Republic stores in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Italy and Japan. The company aims to expand it international division to account for 30 percent of revenues by 2013.