The Old Navy and Banana Republic brands may soon become features of middle class wardrobes as The Gap plans to open up shop in Indonesia.

FJ Benjamin of Singapore, a subsidiary of FJ Benjamin Holdings Ltd, a franchise holder of the US clothing retailer Gap Inc, announced (PDF file) that it plans to open fifteen Gap, BabyGap and GapKids stores, as well as five Banana Republic stores, in Indonesia by 2011. The first of these shops will open in Jakarta next year while fashion conscious folk in other major cities of Indonesia, such as Surabaya, Bandung and the island of Bali, will have to wait until 2011 at the latest.

Baby Gap Logo.

Nash Benjamin, CEO of FJ Benjamin Holdings Ltd, said:

Indonesia is already a major market for F J Benjamin and will continue to develop in the coming years. The market is vast and favourably disposed to the comfortable and casual style of Gap and the high quality, accessible luxury of Banana Republic.

Meanwhile Art Peck, Gap Inc.’s executive vice president, corporate strategy and business development, enthused:

Indonesia offers a growing market for international apparel brands. There is a significant amount of important retail center development in the market and a growing presence of international lifestyle brands, such as Gap and Banana Republic.

It appears that Angie Chong, the CEO of F J Benjamin Malaysia Sdn Bhd, F J Benjamin Lifestyle Sdn Bhd and F J Benjamin Lifestyle Pte Ltd, will guide the launch and growth of the various Gap brands in Indonesia.

Upmarket clothes shopping at Banana Republic.