Topshop returns to high street as question mark hangs over future of iconic brand – but you’ll have to be quick
TOPSHOP is set to make a brief return to the high street as a question mark hangs over its future.
Shoppers will be able to browse rails featuring the iconic brand in real life when its owner ASOS launches its first bricks and mortar shop.
They will be able to pick up some of ASOS’s most loved brands including Topshop and Topman, when the location opens this month coinciding with Black Friday.
Shoppers will have to be quick though, as the shop will only be open for a brief time from November 23-26 near Oxford Street, which was once the home of TopShop’s giant flagship store.
Four floors of brands will be available at 11 Rathbone Place, and will also include Asos Design, Asos Edition, Collusion, Nike, The North Face, and New Balance.
There will also be live music and DJ set, free beauty treatments from Charlotte Tilbury and hair styling from Drybar.
It’s the first time Topshop clothes will be available to purchase in person since it went under in 2021 and all stores closed forever.
The brand was rescued by digital-only retailer Asos along with Miss Selfridge after Arcadia, the retail empire owned by Sir Philip Green, went bust.
Shoppers have been able to buy Topshop and Topman clothes since then on the Asos website. But that might not be the case for long.
The online retailer is reportedly exploring a sale of the Topshop brand, after just two years.
ASOS boss Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte is said to be considering the option of selling the Topshop brand in an effort to balance the company’s books.
Like many other retailers, ASOS has been grappling with soaring inflation and declining consumer spending as a result.
Mr Calamonte has already reduced stock by 30% and refinanced part of its borrowings but drastic action may need to be taken to help the business stay afloat.
What’s next for Topshop?
An obvious bidder would be Frasers Group, the high street conglomerate which owns retail names ranging from Sports Direct and Jack Wills to Evans Cycles and Gieves & Hawkes.
Next would also be expected to examine an offer, having snapped up high street brands such as FatFace and a big stake in Reiss.
New reports emerged that Authentic Brands Group, founded by Canadian billionaire Jamie Salter, is plotting to acquire Topshop after a failed attempt to buy the business back in 2020.
The Group owns other high-street retailers such as Ted Baker, Reebok and Forever 21.
And any potential takeover deal could mean that Topshop might make a surprise return to the high street just three years after all 300 stores closed overnight.
But an unexpected player has also made its way into the bidding ring.
Shein has formally registered its interest in making an offer for Topshop, according to the Times.
The Chinese fashion retailer has gained a reputation for snapping up distressed retail businesses.
The fast fashion retailer just snapped up another online fashion brand – Misguided – last week.
Asos declined to comment.
ASOS was slammed by shoppers earlier this year when it increased the minimum spend at which ASOS premier customers qualify for free delivery.
ASOS premier customers now have to spend a minimum of £15 to qualify for free next-day delivery.
But if you do spend less than £15, you’ll still get free standard delivery.
We’ve spoken to shopping experts to find out the best things to buy from ASOS and what items to avoid.