Topshop to step up global expansion with South Africa launch

Both Topshop and Topman, owned by Arcadia tycoon Sir Philip Green, have partnered with franchisee House of Busby to launch stores in the region, the first of which will open in Johannesburg in November. It will also launch concessions within South African department store Edgars, owned by the country’s largest non-food retailer Edcon.

The move to South Africa, the 37^th country in which the brands will operate, follows its high profile tie-up with legendary US department store Nordstrom to open Topshop and Topman concessions in a selection of its stores from September. Topshop already has three US stores trading in the US.

Green said: “This represents another step in our continued international growth, and I am confident that the South African customers will enjoy the retail experience and fantastic product offer that both our brands will deliver for them.”

The 950m² Johannesburg store will open in the Sandton City development with a second store set to launch in the Gateway shopping centre before the end of the year.

The retailer plans to roll-out stores in major centres across the country.

Topshop managing director Mary Homer said: “We’ve wanted to offer our full Topshop retail experience to the fashion conscious South African customer for a long time and now with two fantastic sites we will be able to offer great fashion that is first to market.”

Arcadia chief operating officer for trading and Topshop managing director David Shepherd has high hopes for the menswear retailer following the “fantastic response” to its recent pop-up store in Cape Town.

He said: “South Africa’s vibrant and growing fashion scene make this a natural and relevant next step for us.”