Topshop is set for a high street return after demand from shoppers, the firm behind it has confirmed.
Online giant Asos, which bought the business after the collapse of shamed tycoon Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia empire, has given its clearest sign yet that the once beloved brand is making a comeback. A standalone Topshop website is set to be launched this summer. And Asos revealed that it was in talks to introduce Topshop clothing in stores – though through other retailers rather than its own shops at its stage.
Asos boss Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte said: “We have listened to our consumers and we understand they want a return to the high street,” adding “eventually we will come back to have a physical presence”.
He said they had reached agreement with “some selected wholesale partners”, with talks ongoing with others. While not giving details, it could involve Topshop concessions within department stores or elsewhere. Although there are no plans for Topshop standalone stores, Mr Calamonte added: “We haven’t ruled out anything”.
Asos first sparked speculation last month when Topshop posted three teasers on social media, telling online followers: “WE’VE MISSED YOU TOO” in a series of clips captioned “WE’VE BEEN LISTENING.”
At its height, Topshop had more than 500 stores worldwide, including 300 in the UK, and legion of young fans who flocked for its fast changing designs. However, it fell on hard times during the pandemic when high street sales plummeted. Arcadia entered administration in 2020 and Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge were all acquired by Asos in 2021, moving to purely online sales.
Asos sold a 75% stake in Topshop and Topman to Danish company Bestseller in September last year.
The collapse of Arcadia, which also included famous high street names Topman, Burton and Dorothy Perkins, led to the loss of 13,000 jobs and an estimated £350million hole in its pension fund. Green agreed to inject a substantial sum after talks with the Pensions Regulator. The demise shattered the reputation of Sir Phillip, once seen as the king of the high street.
It came as Asos downplayed the impact of Donald Trump’s US imports tariffs on its shipments to American customers. Alongside the new levies, the White House is closing a tax loophole on deliveries of products under $800, specifically those sent from China and Hong Kong, from May 2. Until now, it has allowed low-value packages to enter the US without incurring any duties.
The removal of the “de minimis” rule will impact is seen as impacting the likes of the fast-fashion giant Shein and budget retailer Temu the most. Asos insisted that only around 5% of what it sells in the US comes from China, but most shipments to the States come from its UK warehouse, so will be liable to a 10% tariffs.
The company hinted that it could absorb the extra cost rather than pass it on to customers.
Asos reported a fall in half-year sales as it continued to clear a build-up of stock and slash the number of discounted items.Taking fell by 14% to £1.3 billion for the six months to March 2 But the group narrowed its pre-tax losses to £241.5million for the half-year, from £246.8million a year ago.
Mr Calamonte said its customers were “responding positively to our focus on full-price sales, speed to market, and quality” and that it had seen “positive momentum with our partner brands. Importantly, these successes have been achieved whilst maintaining strong cost control and improving our inventory health. We look forward to a fantastic pipeline of new products, brands and customer experiences, and remain confident in our ability to deliver sustainable, profitable growth.”
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