// Shop Direct will sell Topshop & Topman for the first time
// It currently lists over 500 fashion retailers on its platform
// Shop Direct will also become the first UK retailer outside of the Arcadia Group to stock Topshop Beauty
Shop Direct has added Sir Philip Green’s Topshop and Topman to its list of more than 500 fashion retailers, making it the first UK retailer outside of the Arcadia Group to stock Topshop Beauty.
Shop Direct’s retail brands Very.co.uk, Littlewoods.com and LittlewoodsIreland.ie will offer Topshop edits in the market.
The selection, which ranges from clothing, footwear, accessories, maternity, petite and tall, became available from August 24, and is due to expand the 500 product lines to 2000 during AW19.
Meanwhile, Topshop Beauty will offer more than 200 product options, including lipsticks, eyeshadows, highlighters and nail polishes.
Shop Direct already stocks a number of Arcadia brands, including Wallis, Evans and Miss Selfridge. This will be further enhanced by Burton and Dorothy Perkins ranges, which will launch on September 9 following Topshop and Topman.
The multi-brand online retailer and financial services provider said fashion is one of its largest product categories, with clothing and footwear accounting for more than a third of the retail sales mix in its most recent full-year results for the year ended June 2018.
“Topshop and Topman are two of the biggest fashion brands out there,” Shop Direct managing director, Sam Perkins said.
“We know our customers will love this new partnership, which builds on our long-term, successful relationship with the Arcadia Group.
“We believe it’ll attract even more customers to Very and Littlewoods – giving them access to a range of different ways to pay – and open up the Topshop and Topman brands to a whole new group of customers.”
Topshop chief executive Paul Price said: “Topshop’s mission is to inspire customers and bring them exciting, design-led fashion at great value.
“We’re delighted to be partnering with Shop Direct’s retail brands – delivering our clothing, accessories and beauty to even more UK-based shoppers’ homes at the click of a button.”
Shop Direct fashion director, Emma Alexander said: “We’re so excited to be launching Topshop and Topman, and especially pleased to be the only UK retailer offering Topshop Beauty.
“The extensive product ranges available will be trend-led and constantly refreshed, meaning customers will be able to land their whole look at Very and Littlewoods.”
Moreover, Arcadia has been struggling to rebuild its empire after battling to come to a CVA agreement with its landlords in recent months.
In early June, the CVA was approved at the second time of asking although this was challenged by Arcadia’s US landlords.
Arcadia has seen its profits crash 86 per cent to just £30 million over the last three years.
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