Gap Sees China Becoming Billion-Dollar Business in 3-4 Years

Gap Inc. expects China to become a billion-dollar business in three to four years as the largest U.S. apparel chain operator speeds up expansion there, said David Zoba, its senior vice president for global real estate.

The clothing retailer, which has eight stores in China, aims to lift the number to 15, including its first shop in Hong Kong, by the end of its fiscal year on Jan. 31, Zoba said in an interview in Shanghai yesterday. Gap plans to have as many as 45 namesake stores in the country 12 months after that, he said.