Global Shopfitters has been chosen by Next Athleisure who has the franchise rights to Topshop in Australia, to build the first Topshop store in the country, set to open in December at The Jam Factory in Chapel St, Melbourne. Having collaborated with Next Athleisure on their last Glue store, Global Shopfitters is really proud and excited in being associated with bringing the Topshop phenomenon to our shores.
Up until now the best way to get your hands on top design fashion wear at reasonable prices according to Hilton Seskin chief executive of Next Athleisure was by buying copies of designer clothes and which replicated fashion initiatives using collaborations with young designers and free ''personal shoppers''. But this ends on Thursday with Australia's first Topshop/Topman store, stocked full of with the latest hot fashion trends flown out fresh from Britain twice a week, opening in South Yarra's Jam Factory.
So what does this mean for local business? Fashion insiders predict a storm of interest, similar to the excitement at Zara's store launches earlier in the year. There is, however, fear of competition being taken up to ultra-competitive levels for fashion retailers who are already struggling in difficult trading conditions.
But the man behind the new Topshop , Hilton Seskin, says only those fashion copycats will find it hard to compete. ''They'll suffer; no one else,'' said Hilton, continuing with ''the main [competition] will be OK because there's not going to be 50 Zaras or 50 Topshops around the country. There's plenty of business for us all.''
The hottest thing to happen to the fashion retail outlet market over the last years has previously only been available online but this is all set to change. "I am delighted to be launching the Topshop and Topman brands in Australia," Topshop's UK owner Sir Philip Green said in a press release for the new launch.
"This represents another step in our continued international growth, and I am confident that the Australian customers will enjoy the retail experience and fantastic product offer that both our brands will deliver for them."
Australian shoppers have been able to purchase Topshop through the company's online store but the Australian franchise owner Next Athleisure Company is hoping for more customers by taking the brand to the street.
Global Shopfitters Pty Ltd, the company responsible for the beautiful fit out at the new store said this week,”We are proud to be associated with such a high profile and top end fashion retail outlet, and we are happy to be offering a service to do all this for all Australian retail businesses too, so they can put their shopfront on the map with the latest cutting edge shop fit outs whilst taking out all of the hit and miss and associated stress often involved with a new launch”.
Global Shopfitters Pty Ltd
marketing@alchempro.com
