John Lewis to sell Topshop as brand returns to UK high streets
Department store will stock Topshop ranges from February in a bid to attract younger shoppers; 32 outlets to take womenswear and six to carry Topman
John Lewis said it will start selling Topshop clothing ranges in its shops from February, marking the mass return of the fashion brand to Britain’s high streets after a four-year absence. The tie-up will see Topshop womenswear stocked in 32 John Lewis stores, with Topman menswear lines available in six locations.
The move forms part of John Lewis’s strategy to attract younger customers and compete with rivals such as Marks & Spencer. John Lewis managing director Peter Ruis said the partnership would “resonate with Gen Zs, Gen Xs and everyone in between.” The deal follows a wider revival of Topshop that the retailer said has already featured collaborations with model Cara Delevingne and the opening of a new boutique at Liberty.
John Lewis and its owner, the partnership behind John Lewis and Waitrose, have been implementing a turnaround plan led by Ruis and former Tesco boss Jason Tarry after a period of weak sales. As part of that programme, John Lewis has hired Rachel Morgans—who previously held senior roles at Topshop and Asos—as head of fashion. Executives say her arrival has supported the introduction of new collections and a greater number of third-party brands intended to broaden the retailer’s appeal to younger shoppers.
The agreement with Topshop will see product ranges selected for John Lewis’s store and online channels, with stock rolling out in the named shops from February next year. The companies did not disclose financial terms of the arrangement or whether concession or wholesale models will be used across all locations.
Topshop, once a ubiquitous presence on UK high streets, has been the subject of several revival efforts since its disappearance from many physical outlets. The brand’s return via department stores and partnerships aims to rebuild its retail footprint while tapping into established department store footfall.
Retail analysts and industry figures have in recent years pointed to partnerships and curated brand assortments as a common route for department stores seeking to refresh their offer and draw younger demographics. John Lewis’s announcement follows a series of strategic changes at the retailer, including a greater emphasis on fashion, third-party brands and curated in-store experiences.
John Lewis did not provide additional details on marketing plans, price points or the specific store list beyond the number of locations that will carry Topshop and Topman ranges. The companies said further information would be released ahead of the February launch.