Topshop eyes Chicago launch as Knightsbridge store opens

Topshop has revealed that it is close to signing a deal for its second US store in Chicago as it opened the doors to its new Knightsbridge branch, inspired by the New York store unveiled a year ago.

The retailer also wants to open in two more locations in Manhattan but no deal is imminent.

Las Vegas and Los Angeles are also on Topshop’s radar as potential locations. The retailer has said in the past that it aims eventually to have 12 to 15 flagship stores in key US cities.

The Knightsbridge store takes Sir Philip Green’s young fashion chain to the heart of London’s luxury shopping district, directly opposite famous department store Harrods.

The 14,000 sq ft shop is a cleaner, edgier version of the New York store, spread over three floors. Topshop owner Arcadia is understood to have invested £3m in the Knightsbridge store. A large architectural spike runs vertically through the middle of all floors, which has been “morphed” into a different feature on each level; on one level, for example, it has been made into a seating area.

The store also has a feature spiral staircase with neon white lights.

Although the Knightsbridge store’s design is a one-off, up to 70% of its features will be transferable to its planned future openings such as those in Bath and at London shopping centre One New Change in the City, which will open this autumn.

Arcadia chief executive Ian Grabiner said: “If you walk into a Topshop in a year’s time it won’t be the same store as today, because they are constantly evolving.”

Arcadia is also testing a new format for its Bhs department store chain. The new model will open in Uxbridge on June 3. The retailer is working with design agency Dalziel + Pow on the makeover, which could be rolled out to other Bhs stores if successful. A new look for the Miss Selfridge brand was also unveiled in February at the Eldon Square extension in Newcastle.