Just two years after bringing both Gap and Banana Republic into the Australian market, clothing and apparel distributor, True Alliance, has shutdown both online stores and exited its partnership with Gap Inc.

The two brands were originally brought into the Australian market with dedicated Australian online storefronts in March 2022. In addition, True Alliance struck a partner agreement with department store giant, David Jones, to stock Banana Republic items both on its website as well as in select physical stores. But last month, True Alliance posted on both websites the two brands would be exiting the Australian market.

The company declined to comment on the decision to Mi3 Australia. However, a spokesperson for David Jones confirmed to Mi3 the agreement has now ceased.

“Banana Republic is exiting David Jones and we are currently working through remaining stock,” the spokesperson said. In a brief statement on the website, True Alliance said it was “goodbye from GAP Australia for now”.

“The gapaustralia.com.au website is now closed. We thank our customers for their loyalty,” the statement read. “Our customer service contacts remain available for any queries relating to purchases made on our website gapaustralia.com.au placed up to June 30th, 2024.”

The company said any purchases made after 13 June were deemed final, with no returns or exchanges for change of mind unless the item is deemed faulty. And it was a similar “goodbye from Banana Republic Australia for now” message on the sister brand’s local website.

At the time of announcing the new Australian partnership, Gap Inc managing director of International, Global Licensing and Wholesale, Adrienne Gernand, was excited about building a direct presence in Australia through its partner-based model. Both Gap and Banana Republic are brands owned by Gap Inc.

“Partnering with regional experts like True Alliance allows us to amplify and deliver our relevant, purpose-driven brands to new and existing customers around the globe,” she stated at the time. “We believe that Banana Republic’s explorer spirit will truly resonate in this market, and we are confident that our omni-channel approach will meet the customer where they are.”

Mi3 has requested further comment from Gap Inc.

The news comes a month after 22-year True Alliance veteran and CEO, David Smith, confirmed his retirement from the business. In a LinkedIn post, the retail executive said he’d be taking the next 12 months off to travel and “tick things off that bucket list”.

- with additional reporting by Nadia Cameron