Ikea buys landmark Topshop building
FURNITURE gian Ikea is buying the former Topshop flagship store on London’s Oxford Street for £378 million.
The deal is a much-needed vote of confidence for central London, which has seen tourist footfall decimated by the pandemic.
Since 2019 Ikea has opened shops in major cities such as Tokyo, Madrid, Moscow, Paris and New York to grow its presence on busy high streets.
It now plans to open Ikea Oxford Street in autumn 2023, following the planned launch of its Hammersmith store later this winter.
The 214 Oxford Street property will now have Ikea’s smaller format store with a selection of its accessories, furniture and a planning studio across roughly a third of the building’s 22,200 square metres over seven floors.
Krister Mattsson, managing director of Ingka Investments, Ikea’s property-buying arm, said: “We are delighted to have signed this agreement for a property on one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets and it represents another opportunity to create a more accessible, affordable and sustainable Ikea for our customers.
“This property offers great potential for retail space, and we firmly believe in the long-term value of the real estate market in London.”
Peter Jelkeby, country retail manager and chief sustainability officer Ikea UK & Ireland, said: “Even though online shopping continues to accelerate at a rapid pace, our physical stores (large and small), will always be an essential part of the
Ikea experience – as places for inspiration and expertise, community and engagement.
“Bringing Ikea to the heart of Oxford Street – one of the most innoat vative, dynamic and exciting retail destinations in the world – is a direct response to these societal shifts and an exciting step forward in our journey to becoming a more accessible Ikea.”
The West End store had been home to Sir Philip Green’s flagship Topshop site but was put on the market after parent firm Arcadia Group tumbled into administration last year.
Administrators at Interpath Advi
We firmly believe in the long-term value of the real estate market in London KRISTER MATTSSON
sory said the transaction is expected to complete in January.
Ed Boyle, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts on this iconic property, which sits at the cornerstone of London’s principal retail district.
“As shoppers, workers and tourists return to central London following the pandemic, Ikea’s presence in Oxford Circus will help further boost footfall and provide a real fillip for the city’s retail sector.”
US betting firm DraftKings has walked away from its £16 billion approach for Ladbrokes owner Entain.
Last week, the US firm was given an extended deadline to either place a formal offer or walk away from a move for the UK firm, which also owns Coral.
The two companies confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Draftkings “does not intend to make an offer” after several discussions between bosses at the firms.
Jason Robins, DraftKings chief executive, said: “We are highly confident in our ability to maintain a leadership position and achieve our long-term growth plans in the rapidly growing North America market.”
Last month, DraftKings made an approach worth around 2,800p per share in cash and stock after a 2,500p offer had been rebuffed.
It is the second time a US firm had approached Entain over the past year, after US joint venture partner MGM saw a £8 billion move rebuffed.
UK betting firms have been heavily targeted by US rivals over the past year amid a rapid growth in sports betting across the US.
Shares in Entain were 6.3% lower in early trading yesterday.