Sir Philip Green mulls using Kate Moss to launch Topshop in China

The retailer is in “advanced discussions” with department stores in the country to launch pop-up stores, Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green said. The retailer revealed yesterday that he had reignited his relationship with Kate Moss.

Green told Retail Week at the World Retail Congress in Paris: “We have two or three advanced discussions. We may start China with Kate. Maybe use that as an opportunity for 20, 30, 40 pop-ups in China in department stores.”

Green said in June that he views the Hong Kong opening as a “stepping stone” to mainland China and is eyeing opportunities in Beijing and Shanghai.

The retailer also plans to open up to 70 pop-up Kate Moss stores in Nordstrom in the US where it has opened 20 stores in the last 20 days.

Green said he had agreed the deal with Moss whilst holidaying with the star in the summer. The retailer has yet to decide on what form the re-ignited partnership will take.

Topshop opened its first store in China in Hong Kong in June. Green is in negotiations to open sister brand Topman there too.

Green has also kick-started a capital investment review across all of the fashion group’s brands. The review is due to conclude in the next month.

He said successful pilots of new store designs at Evans on Oxford Street and Dorothy Perkins and Burtons in Bluewater had led to the decision. The stores had enjoyed “double digit” uplifts following refits, according to Green.

He said: “With the online business as it is. With all the leases up for review, the combination of these two means it’s not an option [not to review investment]. You have to invest. Where we have invested we have seen significant results.”

Green said that the investment encompassed his unprofitable BHS business and said the retailer’s Christmas shop, which launches this weekend, is “better than everybody else’s in the country”.