Arcadia, Topshop’s parent company, has parted ways with its Chinese franchise partner Shangpin, having previously detailed plans to open up to 80 stores across mainland China.
A spokesman for Arcadia confirmed the partnership had ended. He said: “Topshop Topman and Chinese franchise partner Shangpin have reached a mutual agreement to an early termination.”
However, he added that the retailer considers China to be “a hugely significant market for development”, and that the company is “currently exploring opportunities to further grow the brands in China”.
The companies teamed up on an online retailing venture in 2014 to sell Topshop and Topman products to Chinese shoppers, before indicating in 2016 that it would initially pilot five stores.
At the time, Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green told various media outlets that another 75 outlets could follow, depending on how the first five performed. Since then, none of the stores has ending up launching.
Earlier this year Shangpin said it planned to open more than 100 Topshop and Topman retail stores in China in the next five years, according to local reports, starting with a three-storey, 36,600 sq ft (3,400 sq m) flagship launch in Shanghai in September.
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