Myer to relaunch British retailer Topshop in Australia nearly a decade after its collapse

British fast-fashion giant Topshop is making an unexpected return to Australia, nearly a decade after it collapsed in the face of tough trading conditions.

Myer on Wednesday confirmed Topshop would be stocked across its 56 department stores nationwide and online from February 2026, as part of its “strategy to stock brands that engage and resonate with its younger customers”.

Topshop entered the Australian market in 2011 as one of the first of a wave of high-profile new foreign arrivals along with Zara and H&M.

But it collapsed in May 2017 as losses and debts mounted amid increasing online competition, the emergence of new rivals and weak consumer spending. At the time, the brand owed debts of about $37 million.

Two months after it failed, Myer — which bought a 20 per cent stake in Austradia, the Australian franchisee for Topshop Topman, to ensure it was the only department store chain to have the label — closed all 17 of Topshop’s concession stores.

On Wednesday, Myer chief merchandise officer Belinda Slifkas said Topshop was the perfect addition to the department store as it continued to refresh and elevate its womenswear offering with “globally relevant, fashion-forward labels”.

“We’re seeing a growing number of younger customers choosing Myer, and with Topshop’s arrival, we’re confident this will further strengthen our appeal and deepen our connection with this customer group,” she said.

Topshop brand director Henrik Matthiesen said the partnership marked an important milestone as it reintroduced the brand to the world.

Topshop’s Australian comeback follows on from recent re-launches of the brand in the UK, France, Ireland and Denmark.