 Logo since 2018 | |
.JPG) | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Fashion Clothing Textiles |
| Genre | Retail |
| Founded | 1978; 47 years ago (1978)[1] |
| Defunct | 2021 |
| Fate | Converted into an online store |
| Headquarters | London, England |
| Products | Men's fashion |
| Revenue |  £1.8 billion[citation needed] |
 £357.5 million[citation needed] | |
| Owner | Bestseller A/S (75%) ASOS (25%) |
| Website | topshop |
Topman is a British online-only men's fashion retail brand operated byASOS. Along with its women's clothing counterpartTopshop and the rest ofArcadia Group, Topman went intoadministration in late 2020. All high street stores subsequently closed and the brand was purchased byASOS on 1 February 2021, relaunching as an online-only retailer.[2]
It was founded by Burton Group (later renamedArcadia Group) in 1978.
In 2001, Topman's brand director, David Shepherd, was considered to have "done a Ratner" when he referred to his core clientele as "Football hooligans or whatever" and said that "Very few of our customers have to wear suits to work. They'll be for his first interview or court case".[3]
In May 2019, theBBC andThe Wall Street Journal both reported that, after its parent company Arcadia Group filed forbankruptcy, Topshop would close all 11 of its U.S. stores, including Topman. Apparel would be distributed digitally and through other wholesale partners, such as Nordstrom.[4]
In the UK, Arcadia Group went intoadministration at 8pm GMT on 30 November 2020.[5][6] On 25 January 2021,ASOS said it was in "exclusive" talks to buy Arcadia's Topshop, Topman,Miss Selfridge and HIIT brands out of administration, though it only wanted the brands, not the shops. A consortium includingNext had earlier dropped a bid to buy Topshop and Topman; interest in Arcadia operations had also been expressed byMike Ashley'sFrasers Group, a consortium includingJD Sports, and online retailerBoohoo.[7]
On 1 February 2021, ASOS announced it had acquired the four Arcadia brands out of administration for £265 million, paying an additional £65 million for current and pre-ordered stock. ASOS will keep 300 employees on as part of the deal but will not keep any of the brands' 70 stores, putting 2,500 jobs at risk.[8][9] They plan to relaunch in May 2021.
On the 5 September 2024, ASOS announced that it sold a 75% stake of Topshop & Topman to the Danish company Bestseller. It was announced that the Topshop & Topman websites would relaunch within 6 months of the deal with Bestseller, as well it was hinted that the brands could return to the high street with stores, the chief executive of ASOS commented "We might open stores. We will consider it for sure but we have no specific agreement to open a certain number".
Through a landmark national partnership from February 2026, Topshop will be available in 32 John Lewis stores while Topman will be on offer in six, and the brand will also be available to shop at johnlewis.com.
Topman was nominated for the 'Menswear Design of the Year' award by the British Fashion Council, winner of 'Best Fashion Retailer' at theMaxim Style Awards for 2005 and winner of 'Best High Street Retailer' at the 2007FHM Fashion and Grooming awards.[10]
In 2008, Topman collaborated with new labelThe Look Presents, the creation of rock-fashion authorPaul Gorman and Soho boutique owner, Max Karie, to launch 'the Look Presents'.[11]
In 2011, Topman worked closely withTeenage Cancer Trust. The company worked in collaboration with children from the charity to produce a range of sunglasses designed by them whilst supporting the 'Rock your Shades' campaign in May 2011.[11]