Business

Topshop returns to the high street in John Lewis stores

Published

3 hours ago

17 February 2026

Topshop returns to the high street in John Lewis stores

Topshop is making a nationwide return to bricks-and-mortar retail, launching in 32 John Lewis stores in its most significant high street comeback since the collapse of Arcadia Group in 2020.

The relaunch, which also sees Topman stocked in seven John Lewis locations, marks the first time in four years that the brand has returned to physical retail at scale.

Topshop’s original Oxford Street flagship was once a defining force in British fashion, famously drawing crowds when Kate Moss launched her collection in 2007. Its revival within John Lewis stores aims to recapture some of that cultural resonance.

After Arcadia entered administration, Topshop was acquired by Asos, which later sold a 75 per cent stake in the brand to Heartland, the investment arm of Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen, founder of Bestseller.

Historically associated with shoppers aged 16 to 24, Topshop now returns via a retailer traditionally known for appealing to an older demographic. John Lewis said the move is designed to broaden its appeal to younger consumers while reconnecting with millennials who grew up with the brand.

The department store chain has been rebuilding its position after years of intense competition from rivals such as Marks & Spencer, a pandemic-driven shift towards online shopping and previous expansion missteps that left it with excess retail space.

Under a new leadership team, John Lewis has pursued a back-to-basics strategy, focusing on customer service, reintroducing its “never knowingly undersold” pledge and investing heavily in its in-store experience.

The Topshop relaunch coincides with London Fashion Week and features around 130 pieces across denim, tailoring, outerwear and wardrobe staples. Signature styles such as the Jamie and Joni jeans return alongside updated designs. Cara Delevingne fronts the new campaign.

Peter Ruis, managing director of John Lewis, described the partnership as a significant step in its fashion strategy. “To be the exclusive home of an iconic brand like Topshop signals our ambition to be the definitive style authority on the British high street,” he said.

Michelle Wilson, managing director of Topshop, said the partnership would bring the brand back to high streets across the UK “with the level of service our customers expect”.

The relaunch forms part of a wider £800m multi-year investment by John Lewis, which includes refurbishments of key stores, notably its Oxford Street flagship, and the introduction of 14 new fashion brands across womenswear and menswear.

For Topshop, the move represents a symbolic return to physical retail. For John Lewis, it is a calculated bet that brand nostalgia and refreshed fashion credentials can help reignite footfall on Britain’s struggling high streets.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.

Business

The 2 Big Tailwinds Behind Applied Digital’s New Buildout (NASDAQ:APLD)

Published

13 seconds ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

I hold a Master’s degree in Cell Biology and began my career working for several years as a lab technician in a drug discovery clinic, where I gained extensive hands-on experience in cell culture, assay development, and therapeutic research. That scientific foundation gave me an appreciation for the rigor and challenges behind drug development, which I now bring into my work as an investor and analyst. For the past five years, I have been active in the investing space, with the last four years dedicated to working as a biotech equity analyst alongside my lab work. My focus is on identifying promising biotechnology companies that are innovating in unique and differentiated ways, whether through novel mechanisms of action, first-in-class therapies, or platform technologies with the potential to reshape treatment paradigms. By combining my lab-based scientific expertise with financial and market analysis, I aim to deliver research that is both technically sound and investment-driven. On Seeking Alpha, I plan to write primarily about the biotech sector, covering companies at different stages of development, from early clinical pipelines to commercial-stage biotechs. My approach emphasizes evaluating the science behind drug candidates, the competitive landscape, clinical trial design, and the potential market opportunity, all while balancing financial fundamentals and valuation. My goal in publishing here is to share some insights that help investors better understand both the opportunities and of course the many risks in biotech. This is a sector where breakthrough science can translate into outsized returns, but also where careful scrutiny is essential. I look forward to contributing thoughtful analysis and engaging with readers who share an interest in this dynamic and rapidly evolving space.

Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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Business

Rates Spark: Eurozone Pushing For Global Euro, But Not Overnight

Published

6 minutes ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Rates Spark: Eurozone Pushing For Global Euro, But Not Overnight

From Trump to trade, FX to Brexit, ING’s global economists have it covered. Go to ING.com/THINK to stay a step ahead. We’re sorry we can’t reply to individuals’ comments.Content disclaimer: The information in the publication is not an investment recommendation and it is not investment, legal or tax advice or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any financial instrument.This publication has been prepared by ING solely for information purposes without regard to any particular user’s investment objectives, financial situation, or means. For our full disclaimer please click here.

Business

UWE Bristol opens grant scheme for SMEs looking to scale

Published

14 minutes ago

17 February 2026

NewsAdmin

Eligible business must employ between five and 249 people and be located within a 50-mile radius of the university

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 01: Balloons take to the sky as musician Jerome Gamble plays guitar to accompany the recorded music as it is played to the city below on September 01, 2020 in Bristol, England. Created by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram and composer Dan Jones, "Sky Orchestra A Moment in Time" was first performed at the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta in 2003. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

View of Bristol(Image: Getty Images)

Companies in and around Bristol looking to scale up and boost productivity are being encouraged to apply for grant funding from the University of the West of England (UWE). The university has launched the next round of its Scale up 4 Growth (S4G) scheme, which is designed to accelerate the growth of small and medium‑sized enterprises across the region.

Eligible SMEs can apply for 50 per cent match‑funded grants contributing toward projects valued between £20,000 and £80,000.

S4G supports projects that help companies scale, innovate and boost productivity. Funding can be used to address specific challenges or opportunities, such as adopting new technology, developing new products or services, or increasing operational capacity.

The grants aim to support growth activity for SMEs from the UK Government’s eight high-growth sectors: advanced manufacturing; clean energy; creative; defence; digital and tech; financial services; life sciences; and professional and business services.

All funded projects must create at least one full-time equivalent role per £10,000 of grant awarded, ensuring meaningful economic impact for the region.

Eligible businesses must:

Employ between five and 249 people;
have a turnover of under £44m or a balance sheet total of under £38m;
be located and deliver project activity and outcomes within a 50‑mile radius of UWE Bristol;
and demonstrate clear ambitions to grow, including increased employment and turnover.

According to UWE, proposals should also link to at least one of the five growth challenges facing scale-up and high-growth enterprises including finding talent; building leadership capacity; increasing sales or access to markets; accessing finance or growth capital; and accessing infrastructure.

As well as financial support, participating SMEs will receive one-to-one guidance from the S4G team.

Derek Marshall-led Trek Metals has announced plans to raise $15 million, in order to propel an upcoming extensive drilling program at its Christmas Creek gold project.