TOPSHOP, Topman and Miss Selfridge websites have officially shut down and are now redirecting to ASOS.
It comes after ASOS confirmed it has bought the struggling retailers, as well as leisurewear brand HIIT, from Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group in a deal worth £330million.
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When customers try to access the Topshop website now, a message reads: “Topshop is now part of ASOS!
“Head to ASOS now to shop the brand and stay tuned for the full collection.”
Similar messages are also in place on the Topman and Miss Selfridge websites.
ASOS had previously confirmed it will still sell items from all three retailers, including “hero” products like jeans from Topshop.
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But the takeover doesn’t include stores from any of the brands, meaning 70 shops are expected to shut forever, putting 2,500 retail jobs at risk.
ASOS has also confirmed that gift cards purchased before today remain the responsibility of administrator Deloitte, so it won’t accept them.
A spokesperson from the online retailer said it will look at how it can help affected customers with leftover gift card credit, but there’s been no confirmation about this could work in reality.
Customers are still able to make returns from the Topshop website for purchases made within the last 28 days.
When Arcadia Group fell into administration, customers could still use gift cards as normal.
But administrator Deloitte later changed its policy so customers could only use vouchers to pay for up to 50% of a purchase.
Retailers hit by Covid
THE pandemic has pushed struggling retailers over the edge. Here are some other high-profile retail names hit by the virus outbreak:
Aldo shoe shop went into administration in May resulting in five UK store closures and it’s searching for a buyer for the remaining business, though franchised stores are not part of the process and concessions remain trading.
Benson Beds fell into administration in June with Harveys Furniture and was quickly bought back by its owners in a prearranged deal.
Brighthouse fell into administration at the end of March.
Cath Kidston went into administration in April and its online, franchise and wholesale arms were bought back by its owners resulting in the closure of 60 stores and 908 redundancies.
Debenhams is set to close all of its 124 shops permanently and disappear from the high street after rescue talks to save the chain failed in December.
Harveys Furniture, the UK’s second-largest furniture retailer, fell into administration in June and continues to trade and honour existing orders while it plans to close 20 stores and make 240 staff redundant.
Laura Ashley said in March it would permanently shut 70 stores and cut hundreds of jobs after appointing administrators.
LK Bennet brought in administrators last year and is proposing to close stores and reduce rents to save the business.
Oasis and Warehouse The British fashion brands fell into administration in mid-April after failing to find buyers, and online fashion group Boohoo said in June it was buying the brands but closing all stores.
Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Peacocks and Jaeger owners fell into administration in November, putting 4,716 jobs at risk.
Monsoon Accessorize went into administration in June and was then bought out of it by its founder. The deal meant 35 stores shut permanently and 545 staff were made redundant – but it also saved 155 stores and more than 2,500 jobs across the UK and Ireland.
Shoppers are able to put a claim into Deloitte to claim back any unused gift card credit but it’s not guaranteed you’ll get your money back.
It depends on if other creditors are owed money too. You may also only get a portion of the money back.
The physical shops for Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge remain closed due to lockdown restrictions.
It’s unclear whether these shops will reopen once lockdown restrictions are lifted for customers to shop any remaining stock in person before closing for good.
The ASOS deal comes after Sir Philip Green’s retail empire collapsed into administration on November 30, putting 13,000 jobs at risk, following “severely impacted” sales.
Sir Philip’s stores have also been hit by competition from online retailers such as ASOS and Boohoo.
In an announcement last month, Arcadia Group also confirmed it would shut another 31 stores, including 21 of the group’s Outfit shops.
Topshop’s flagship Oxford Street store is reportedly being sold off too.
Arcadia Group, which was bought by Sir Philip Green for £850million in 2002, also owns Burton, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis.
Last week, Boohoo said it was in exclusive talks to buy all three of these clothing retailers in a move which will also not include any stores.
A deal has yet to be officially confirmed, and it’s not clear how far along the talks are.
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In mid-August, more than 43,000 retail jobs had been axed since the start of coronavirus lockdown as high streets struggled to survive.
Aldo, Debenhams, Jaeger, Oasis, Peacocks and Warehouse have all collapsed since the pandemic began.
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