Both Topshop and Topman now offer delivery from their web sites to eight western European countries including France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands. The five-day delivery service, launched last week, will cost customers£5.
The move follows other high-profile fashion players dipping their toes into Europe using online as a low-cost way of testing new markets. Last month, Next started delivering outside the UK using existing sites and UK fulfilment facilities to do so (Retail Week, February 22).
The fashion giant launched in Spain in February and this will be followed by France, Portugal and Germany. Meanwhile, home shopping retailer N Brown is mulling delivery to Germany.
A source close to Arcadia said: “There was already demand from these countries for the Topshop and Topman brands and the retailer sees this as a quick win to satisfy this demand and test the markets.”
Verdict chairman Richard Hyman said the move was positive. “Topshop is a great brand with a fantastic track record. As with brands such as Zara and H&M, it focuses very firmly on the younger market that exists across Western Europe,” he said.
Although Topshop has a presence in Europe, it operates only a handful of stores in Spain, Denmark, Sweden and Cyprus.
Hyman added: “This younger market buys into the same lifestyle across Europe; they buy into the same media such as films and MTV. There is no question that it will be successful. The only question is how successful.”
Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green has previously stated his intention to focus on international operations across his portfolio, with plans to open at least 70 stores globally in its financial year to September 1 this year.
Topshop is the retail group’s most recognisable brands internationally and the high-profile opening of its New York flagship store is planned for September. It is understood that Topshop will try to expand its online offer in the US to coincide with the opening. At present, it offers deliveries to the US for a£10 delivery charge.
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