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Topshop has returned to the London retail scene through a new tie-up with Liberty. The department store confirmed it is now stocking the brand after a video on Instagram showed rails of Topshop clothes outside its Regent Street building.

It is the first time in years that Topshop has been sold through a prominent London store. Liberty is known for high end labels, making the deal a notable placement for a brand once linked with affordable fashion.

Since its relaunch under ASOS management, Topshop has staged a catwalk show in Trafalgar Square, launched a collection with Cara Delevingne, and run short-term pop ups. Outside the UK, it has been picked up by McElhinneys and Shaws in Ireland, Printemps in Paris, and Magasin du Nord in Denmark.

Topshop is now owned by Heartland, the investment company behind Bestseller, while ASOS continues to oversee everyday operations. ASOS is due to report results in October, when investors will be watching to see how Topshop is performing.

Brands That Made A Comeback

There are a few more familiar brands that disappeared and then made a comeback in the UK…

M&Co Makes A Comeback

M&Co, which went into administration in 2023, is also back. It was bought by AK Retail Holdings, the owner of Yours Clothing and Long Tall Sally.

The brand relaunched online in June 2023, and AK Retail said it intended to reopen up to 50 shops across the UK. Chief executive Andrew Killingsworth said M&Co had a long history and strong customer loyalty, and the new owner wanted to bring it back to towns where it had disappeared.

Debenhams Finds New Life

Debenhams, once one of the country鈥檚 largest department store chains, closed its last stores in 2021 after collapsing two years earlier. Boohoo bought the name in 2022 and has spent three years rebuilding it.

In August 2025, Boohoo鈥檚 chief executive Dan Finley announced that the turnaround was complete. Debenhams is only online and has experimented with pop up events. This means a familiar name is still present for shoppers, even if the store network is gone.

Experts Share: Topshop’s Comeback

Experts have also shared their thoughts on Topshop, including a ex buyer from Topshop…

Our Experts:

Anna Woods, Founder, Positive Retail & Former Topshop Buyer

Tim Ryman, Managing Director, Masterclip

Kevin Baldwin, Founder, Wedding Tropics

Vineta Bajaj, Ex-Ocado/Current CFO, Rohlik Group

Sam Richardson, Executive Engagement Director, Twilio

Joe Hale, Founder, Verde Digital

Anna Woods, Founder, Positive Retail & Former Topshop Buyer

鈥淎s someone who started out at Topshop when it was the cultural moment led by bold women, full of instinct and energy. I get the nostalgia. We weren鈥檛 just selling clothes; we were shaping what British fashion felt like.

“Because what people are craving is not just Topshop being back. It鈥檚 the feeling that surrounded it. In moments like this, when the world (and retail itself) feels uncertain, heavy, a bit lost 鈥� we reach for the familiar. We all want to believe we can go back to something we loved.

“But fashion鈥檚 moved on, or at least, it should have. While it鈥檚 easy to crave what Topshop represented, we can鈥檛 ignore what we鈥檝e learned since: overproduction, burnout, the cost of chasing volume over values.

“Topshop鈥檚 Managing Director, Michelle Wilson, has said their higher prices reflect a more sustainable model. But when 88% of the Women鈥檚 Clothing range is still under 拢65 and the most common material used is plastic derived from fossil fuels, it鈥檚 hard to see the proof.

“With 69% of clothing globally now made from plastic, and the world failing to agree on a Global Plastics Treaty, this isn鈥檛 just a branding issue; it鈥檚 a climate one. Sustainability is meant to be the loudest conversation in fashion, yet revivals like this quietly ask us to forget what we鈥檝e learned.

“So yes, celebrate the return but also ask: what version of the future are we really backing?

“The real opportunity isn鈥檛 in going back it鈥檚 in building forward: better systems, better stories, better standards. The brands that thrive next won鈥檛 be the loudest. They鈥檒l be the ones that align profit with purpose not nostalgia.鈥�

Tim Ryman, Managing Director, Masterclip

“Topshop鈥檚 return really highlights how powerful an e-commerce-first strategy can be for brands making a comeback. Even if a label has disappeared from physical stores, a strong online presence allows it to test the market, gauge demand and reconnect with customers without the upfront cost of reopening full-scale stores. Digital channels also let brands reach a wider audience quickly, including younger shoppers who may never have experienced the brand before.

“In the UK, this approach is particularly effective because consumers are comfortable buying online but still value curated experiences, which can be layered in later through pop-ups or selective partnerships. Internationally, we鈥檝e seen similar tactics work for other legacy brands, using e-commerce as a way to measure interest and build buzz before committing to a more permanent physical footprint. It鈥檚 a low-risk way to rebuild brand equity and generate excitement, while keeping options open for how the brand scales its return.”

Kevin Baldwin, Founder, Wedding Tropics

“Kevin Baldwin possesses insights on brand resurgence due to his experience in retail dynamics and market trends. His expertise encompasses how brands like Topshop re-emerge, drawing from both UK and global retail case studies, making his perspective valuable for understanding these phenomena.

“Bringing Topshop back requires more than simply reintroducing products. Success depends on tapping into the nostalgia and emotional connection that shoppers already have with the brand. In the UK, Topshop carries decades of recognition. People remember the jeans, the fits, and the fashion moments associated with it, and that provides a strong foundation to build from. The key is balancing this heritage with a modern approach that appeals to today鈥檚 audience, from Gen Z shoppers to older loyal customers.

“Nostalgia can generate buzz and engagement, but it works best when combined with updated designs, sustainable practices, and contemporary storytelling. Other heritage brands internationally have shown that relaunches succeed when iconic elements are preserved while the overall image is refreshed for relevance. Topshop can use its established reputation to reconnect with previous fans while attracting a new generation of shoppers, making its comeback both credible and appealing.”

Vineta Bajaj, Ex-Ocado/Current CFO, Rohlik Group

“When a brand re-enters the market after disappearing, it rarely works to simply pick up where it left off. Shoppers have moved on, competitors have filled the gaps, and expectations have shifted. What tends to work best is a blended approach that combines digital reach with physical moments of discovery. Pop-ups, limited collections and well-chosen collaborations can reignite interest without the heavy cost and risk of a full-scale store rollout. These touchpoints let brands test what resonates with today鈥檚 customer, build a sense of exclusivity and remind people why they cared about the label in the first place.

“In the UK especially, consumers value that mix of convenience and experience. They shop online for ease, but they still want to see and feel a brand in real life before committing to it again. Pop-ups in high-footfall areas or partnerships with established retailers can bridge that gap, allowing a brand to reconnect with its loyal base while also introducing itself to a younger audience who may only know the name second-hand. This staged return gives the brand room to rebuild its identity and credibility before considering whether large-scale physical retail makes sense again.”

Sam Richardson, Executive Engagement Director, Twilio

鈥淭he imminent return of Topshop isn鈥檛 just a nostalgic comeback – it reflects the wider resurgence of the high street. In fact, retail in 2025 looks very different from when Topshop left in 2021. Shoppers now expect more than just products; they want connected, personalised experiences that seamlessly integrate online and in-store interactions and are culturally relevant.

“Ahead of its full return this summer, Topshop has already demonstrated how retail is evolving by launching a highly sought-after, ticketed pop-up at Defected Records. With an exclusive Ibiza-inspired collection, the event sold out quickly, proof that today鈥檚 retail is about creating moments that foster loyalty and a sense of community.

“Customers expect smarter, more personalised experiences, where purchase history, loyalty, and tailored recommendations transform shopping into a two-way conversation rather than a standard transaction. This vision becomes reality when brands equip their in-store and online assistants with real-time customer insights at their fingertips, enabling them to deliver seamless, truly personalised support.

“Modern retail is moving beyond traditional transactions and it鈥檚 now about community-driven engagement, where subscriptions, tailored experiences and exclusive launches bring customers deeper into a brand鈥檚 world. Increasingly, customers are becoming co-creators, feeding into product design and innovation, as brands build immersive, personalised experiences that create genuine relationships.

“Topshop鈥檚 comeback isn鈥檛 just about reopening stores; it鈥檚 about reinventing retail in a way that feels personal, interactive, and deeply connected to the customer journey.鈥�

Joe Hale, Founder, Verde Digital

鈥淭opshop鈥檚 return to the high street is exciting for consumers, but the bigger test lies in whether the brand can re-establish its visibility online, where the majority of today鈥檚 shoppers begin their journeys.

鈥淎t its peak, Topshop and Topman ranked for more than 1.2 million keywords on Google. Today, that number is fewer than 20,000, just 2% of its former reach. Without that search visibility, even the most eye-catching store relaunch risks being undermined. Physical retail can create buzz, but long-term growth depends on re-establishing organic search presence alongside paid media, content and influencer strategies.

鈥淔or any brand planning a comeback, the lesson is clear 鈥� they can鈥檛 rely on nostalgia alone. In-store experiences and operational excellence must be matched with sustained investment in SEO, content and digital strategy to truly win back market share and rebuild lost equity.鈥�