Topshop confirms it’ll open STORES as website to launch later this year
IN a sea of closures and retail struggle, Topshop is bucking the trend and opening stores this year.
The brand aims to relaunch Topshop and Topman for its loyal millennial fans and newcomers, both online and brick-and-mortar.
In 2021, Topshop and Miss Selfridge were purchased by Asos, following the collapse of former owner Arcadia.
They were sold for a combined price of £330million.
But in September last year, Asos sold a 75 per cent stake in Topshop and Topman for around £135million to Danish holding company Heartland.
At the time of the deal, Asos planned on relaunching Topshop.com and Topman.com by August this year.
Michelle Wilson, MD at Topshop and Topman, told Drapers that the brand has something up its sleeve for August.
But that’s just the beginning – Topshop and Topman will return to the high street for autumn via a wholesale partner.
“We have something planned in August to bring Topshop back into real life again, with a more semi-permanent presence than the one-day pop-up,” she said.
“In the shorter term that will be something with partner support and in the longer term we will do something standalone.”
Wilson said she was “excited to see Topshop back in person” and said their collaboration “will surprise people”.
In April this year, Topshop launched a pop-up at Defected Records and shoppers went wild for it.
They recorded a sale every three minutes, which Topshop bosses have said is proof that there is demand for the adored store.
Wilson added that they aren’t trying to “recreate” the Topshop that millions knew and loved.
She explained that the clothing store will be given a 2025 makeover to allow it to compete with the current climate.
Wilson hinted that the shop will offer experiences, much like its industry-leading Oxford Street flagship store.
The once-thriving London branch offered nail bars and piercing parlours.
Topshop and Topman bosses also revealed that it is “not going after a specific age demographic.”
However, for the now thirty-somethings whose wardrobes were packed full of Topshop garms in the early 2000s, there’s more good news.
Traditional favourites like the Jamie and Joni jeans will be here to stay, as well as the new Asos-era bestsellers like the wide-leg Cinch jean.
Wilson teased shoppers and said that they should expect Topshop’s more casual side, as well as the formal “going out” pieces.
In April, Asos CEO José Antonio Ramos Calamonte, announced the return of Topshop.com.
He said: “The first step of this comeback is topshop.com.”
This will be a standalone website, which will exclusively sell the legendary brand’s clothing and is expected to launch in the second half of the year.
Topshop was founded in 1964 youth-focused offshoot of the department store Peter Robinson.
It became a leader in trend-driven fashion and was a staple on the high street.
Topshop was known for offering affordable, yet stylish, clothing that closely mirrored runway trends.
However, the retail landscape began to shift in the 2010s, with growing competition from online retailers and changing consumer habits.
The Sun has approached Topshop for comment.