The coronavirus crisis has prompted interest from a raft of fashion brands to sell through Asos as lockdowns worldwide decimate sales through bricks-and-mortar stores.

Brands that were formerly reluctant to join Asos’ marketplace platform have now approached the etailer and discussions are ongoing to bring them onboard. Asos has also reached out to brands on its target list to open up new conversations about adding them to its roster.

Asos, which sells more than 850 brands as well as its own labels, has made increasing its range of products one of its strategic priorities.

The retailer added approximately 100 new brands to its platform in the first half of its financial year, including ranges from Topshop and Topman.

The partnership has worked well so far, and Asos plans to proceed plans to distribute Topshop products in the USA once the pandemic subsides. 

Asos chief executive Nick Beighton hoped more deals with other retailers and brands would follow.

He told Retail Week: “Over the past few weeks, a number of brands that have been on our target list for a long time have begun to open up conversations with us, which is exciting for us both in the long term. We’ve also reached out to a number of brands to tell them that we can help and that this is the best time for them to come on board.”

Beighton said Asos’ outlet team has been working with its high street partners to help find solutions to clear excess stock.

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