Clothing giant Topshop gives ‘biggest hint yet’ on date of UK high street return as shoppers sent into meltdown
TOPSHOP has given its clearest hint yet of a massive high street comeback and fans are going wild.
The legendary fashion brand, once a giant of UK shopping, posted a fresh teaser on Instagram this week, hinting it could be back in stores by August.
In the post, Topshop simply said: “We’ll see you IRL in August”, sending a wave of excitement through shoppers across the country.
Topshop has not had a physical presence in the UK since 2021, after ASOS snapped it up following the collapse of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia empire.
Since then, Topshop has only been available online, with ASOS focusing on digital sales.
But last year, a major shift came when Bestseller, the Danish retail giant behind Jack & Jones, bought a 75% stake in the Topshop and Topman brands.
According to Retail Gazette, the aim is to help Topshop benefit from Bestseller’s experience in wholesale and physical stores, a clear signal the brand was eyeing a future beyond just online.
Now, with the latest cryptic teaser, fans are convinced a return is finally happening and they couldn’t be happier.
One thrilled shopper wrote: “Mother of GOD. This is actually going to make my year.”
Another said: “This has to happen,” while a third added: “Absolutely buzzing.”
Topshop has been hinting at a comeback for months.
In March, the brand posted a message saying: “We missed you too,” along with screenshots of media speculation about its possible return to stores.
The buzz only grew when Michelle Wilson was appointed Managing Director of Topshop and Topman earlier this year.
Wilson’s arrival has been seen as a major step towards bringing Topshop back to the high street.
Industry insiders believe the brand has already started scoping out locations for new stores, with London’s famous Carnaby Street said to be high on the list.
A summer launch would mark the first time shoppers could walk into a Topshop store in more than four years.
What makes the brand so unique?
THE return of Topshop to the high street has left fans in a frenzy.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains what makes the brand quite so special…
Topshop was so much more than a clothing brand for millennials. It is woven into the tapestry of our coming of age.
For me, the love affair started pre-teens coveting Freedom jewellery mood rings and yin yang symbols on black cord necklaces that were synonymous with the 90s.
But as I grew up, Topshop was with me every step of the way. From the signature everyday Jamie skinny jeans to almost all my Friday night outfits.
Until Topshop, high street fashion simply imitated trends led by top designers.
But the brand became the forefront of cutting edge fashion, setting trends rather than following.
This was underlined by Topshop Unique becoming part of the London Fashion week schedule in 2005, featuring the likes of Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn on the runway.
But nothing secured its status as a fashion leader more than its iconic collaboration with Kate Moss.
A range would sell out in a matter of hours as shoppers scrambled to own THE item of the season from the vests and tassel waistcoats to pretty tea dresses and tiny denim shorts.
The Oxford Circus store was a long-time mecca for fashionistas. I still remember the buzz of heading down the escalators, completely overwhelmed by the choice of clothes and not knowing quite which way to turn first, as you were plunged into retail heaven.
Yes, the brand has carried on online after being bought by Asos. But it just wasn’t the same.
Let us millennials relive our youth and bring back those physical stores.
Topshop’s fall from the high street was dramatic.
The rise of online shopping, followed by lockdowns during the Covid pandemic, hammered traditional retailers like Arcadia.
While ASOS thrived by focusing online, Sir Philip Green’s retail empire, built around stores, collapsed.
When ASOS bought Topshop in 2021, it made no move to relaunch physical stores, until now.
Shifting shopping habits could be a big reason behind the rethink.
Since Covid restrictions eased, around 60% of fashion sales have swung back to high street shopping.
Topshop’s return could tap into that trend, and give shoppers a new reason to head back into town.
At the moment, no official store locations have been confirmed.
But with August now being teased, fans are already clearing space in their diaries, and their wardrobes.
A HISTORY OF TOPSHOP
TOPSHOP was founded in 1964 as a youth-oriented fashion brand under the umbrella of the Arcadia Group.
The brand started as a section within Peter Robinson, a department store in Sheffield.
But, it quickly gained popularity for its trendy and affordable fashion, appealing primarily to young women.
By the late 1970s, Topshop had established itself as a standalone brand, opening its flagship store on London’s Oxford Street in 1994, which became a fashion landmark.
Topshop’s golden years spanned the late 1990s and early 2000s, during which it became synonymous with fast fashion.
The brand was known for its ability to translate high fashion trends into affordable, ready-to-wear clothing quickly.
The launch of the Topshop Unique line in 2001 further solidified its status, offering runway-inspired collections that debuted at London Fashion Week.
Under the leadership of Sir Philip Green, who acquired the Arcadia Group (Burton Group until 1998) in 2002, Topshop expanded internationally, opening stores in major cities like New York and Los Angeles.
Collaborations with high-profile designers, including Kate Moss in 2007, brought further acclaim and visibility to the brand.
At its peak, Topshop had around 510 shops, including over 300 shops located in the UK.
Despite its success, Topshop faced several challenges that led to its decline.