Topshop strikes trouble in Australia
Popular British clothing brand Topshop has been placed into voluntary administration in Australia after trying to restructure its business in the country.
Administrators were appointed on Wednesday after falling sales and mounting losses.
Administrator James Stewart said in a statement from Ferrier Hodgson, that Topshop/ Topman would continue to operate in the meantime.
“Topshop/Topman is one of the world’s best known fast fashion retailers operating nine stand- alone stores, 17 Myer concessions and an online business in Australia,” Stewart said.
“It will be business as usual as administrators work with UK owners of the Topshop/Topman brand on supporting the business . . . to a stable platform going forward.”
Stewart said all of the company’s 760 Australian employees will continue to be paid and normal customer policies such as gift cards and returns would continue throughout the administration period.
The Australian operation has annual sales of approximately A$90 million ($96m).
Topshop was one of the first international fast fashion brands to arrive in Australia in 2011 but has faced competition from the likes of Zara and H&M in recent years.
The brand’s first stand-alone store in New Zealand opened in March 2015 and it has since expanded to Wellington with another two stores planned for Christchurch and Auckland.
Topshop New Zealand said it was unaffected by the situation at the Australian business.
“The franchise for Topshop/ Topman NZ is an entirely separate entity and shareholding from the Australian business.
“So their situation doesn’t have any effect on our business operations,” the company said.
“Unlike the Australian business that has a couple of dozen large format stores in a highly competitive market, our strategy and approach to rolling out the brand in the New Zealand market has been a much slower, considered roll out.”