Topshop, the iconic British fashion brand that vanished from UK high streets following the collapse of its former owner Arcadia in 2021, has made a triumphant return. This week, John Lewis reintroduced Topshop across all 32 of its branches, including the Cheltenham store in Gloucestershire, where the brand had disappeared five years ago.
This comeback is part of John Lewis’s comprehensive £800 million investment programme aimed at revitalizing its retail presence ahead of the spring/summer season. Last year, a successful collaboration between John Lewis and Topshop was trialled through temporary pop-up stores, setting the stage for this full-scale launch.
Following its acquisition by Asos, which continued selling Topshop online, the brand first reentered physical retail with a debut at London’s Liberty department store. The partnership with John Lewis now makes Topshop accessible once again on Britain’s high streets, offering customers the opportunity to see, touch, and take home a carefully curated selection of 130 of the brand’s most popular items, including their signature denim collection.
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Topman, Topshop’s menswear counterpart, will be stocked in seven John Lewis stores, though not in Cheltenham. Both brands will also be available for purchase online via the John Lewis website.
Michelle Wilson, Managing Director of Topshop, expressed excitement about the collaboration: “Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love. Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.”
This retail launch coincides with London Fashion Week and includes a high-profile takeover of Piccadilly Circus along with activations in other UK locations. Under Managing Director Peter Ruis, John Lewis is pursuing an ambitious strategy to boost growth, focus on fashion, and establish itself as a definitive style destination on the British high street.
John Lewis is further expanding its fashion offering by introducing 14 new fashion, jewellery, and accessory labels this season, following a major redesign of its Oxford Street flagship store. The return of Topshop marks a significant milestone in this ongoing transformation.