Topshop is returning to bricks-and-mortar retail nationwide, launching in 32 John Lewis stores in its most significant high street comeback since the collapse of Arcadia Group in 2020.
The relaunch, which also sees Topman stocked in seven John Lewis locations, marks the first time the brand has returned to physical retail on a large scale in four years.
Topshop’s original Oxford Street flagship was once a defining force in British fashion, famously drawing crowds when Kate Moss launched her collection in 2007. The revival at John Lewis stores aims to recapture some of that cultural resonance.
After Arcadia took over, Topshop was acquired by Asos, which later sold a 75 percent stake in the brand to Heartland, the investment arm of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, the founder of Bestseller.
Traditionally linked to shoppers aged 16 to 24, Topshop is making a comeback through a retailer traditionally known for targeting an older demographic. John Lewis said the move was aimed at broadening the brand’s appeal to younger consumers while reconnecting with millennials who grew up with the brand.
The department store chain has been rebuilding its position after years of intense competition from rivals such as Marks & Spencer, a pandemic-related shift to online shopping and previous expansion missteps that resulted in excess retail space.
Under a new leadership team, John Lewis has adopted a back-to-basics strategy, focusing on customer service, reintroducing its promise of “never knowingly underselling” and investing heavily in the in-store experience.
The Topshop relaunch coincides with London Fashion Week and includes around 130 pieces across denim, tailoring, outerwear and wardrobe staples. Signature styles like the Jamie and Joni jeans return alongside updated designs. Cara Delevingne leads the new campaign.
Peter Ruis, managing director of John Lewis, described the partnership as a significant step in its fashion strategy. “Being the exclusive home of an iconic brand like Topshop signals our ambition to be the definitive style authority on the UK high street,” he said.
Topshop chief executive Michelle Wilson said the partnership would bring the brand back to the UK high street “with the level of service our customers expect”.
The relaunch is part of a wider multi-year £800m investment by John Lewis, which includes the refurbishment of key stores, particularly its Oxford Street flagship, and the launch of 14 new fashion brands across womenswear and menswear.
For Topshop, the move represents a symbolic return to physical retail. For John Lewis, it’s a calculated bet that brand nostalgia and refreshed fashion savvy can help revive footfall on Britain’s struggling high streets.
