Major high street chain makes huge comeback as it opens in 32 stores today

The high street retailer, which closed its final standalone high street stores in 2021, will appear in all of John Lewis’s shops today (Tuesday February 17)

John Lewis is bringing historic brand Topshop back to high streets across the UK this week. The fashion brand, which closed its final standalone high street stores in 2021, will appear in all of John Lewis’s 32 department stores from Tuesday (Feb 17).

The major launch is part of an expansion of new brands for the coming spring/summer season amid John Lewis’s £800 million long-term investment across its stores.

Last year, the John Lewis Partnership confirmed a partnership between the historic department store business and Topshop, which started with pop-ups in a number of John Lewis stores.

Topshop and sister brand Topman have been missing from UK high streets since former owner Arcadia collapsed into administration in 2021.

The brand was snapped up by current owner ASOS, which sells Topshop products online. However, last year the brand returned to physical retail again with a launch in London department store Liberty before revealing its tie-up with John Lewis weeks later.

Topshop will be available across John Lewis’s 32 shops, with Topman available in seven of its stores. The launch will cover a collection of 130 of Topshop’s “most in-demand pieces” including their signature denim items.

Topshop and Topman products will also be available across John Lewis’s online platforms as part of the launch.

Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop, said: “Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love.

“From our cult denim to new-season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day. Partnering with John Lewis brings Topshop back to high streets across the UK with the level of service our customers expect.”

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The move is coinciding with London Fashion Week and will be followed by a “takeover” of Piccadilly Circus in London and activations elsewhere across the UK.

The launch comes amid efforts from the department store chain to drive its growth as it continues with a major transformation plan under boss Peter Ruis.

He said the brand, which is part of the John Lewis Partnership with supermarket chain Waitrose, is investing into its fashion offer to help drive its current strategy.

Mr Ruis, managing director of John Lewis, said: “This moment marks a significant acceleration of our fashion ambition at John Lewis.

“To be the exclusive home of an iconic brand like Topshop, sat alongside other exciting new brands, signals our commitment to be the definitive style authority on the British high street.”

John Lewis has said it is also introducing 14 new fashion, jewellery and accessory labels ahead of this season amid efforts to expand its fashion offer.

It also follows a major redesign of the fashion floors at the retailer’s Oxford Street flagship shop.

Topshop products will be available at the following John Lewis stores:

Glasgow, Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

Newcastle

Leeds

Liverpool

Trafford, Manchester

Cheadle, Manchester

Cardiff, Wales

Nottingham, Nottinghamshire

Leicester, Leicestershire

Solihull, West Midlands

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Norwich, Norfolk

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Welwyn, Hertfordshire

Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Chelmsford, Essex

Cribbs Causeway, Bristol

Exeter, Devon

Oxford, Oxfordshire

High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Reading, Berkshire

Bluewater Kent

Horsham, West Sussex

Southampton, Hampshire

Brent Cross, London

Stratford, London

Canary Wharf, London

Oxford Street, London

Peter Jones, London

White City, London

Kingston, London