‘Business as usual’: No changes expected at Malta’s Topshop, Topman & Dorothy Perkins stores

Following the news that the giant in online fashion, Asos, has bought the now-defunct Arcadia Group’s Topshop and Topman brands, the local franchisee for the brands, Dorkins Ltd, has confirmed that no changes are to be expected for the foreseeable future to Malta’s outlets.

“Business as usual,” commented Christine Pace, Managing Director of Dorkins Ltd when asked whether local fashion consumers can expect closure or a change to the local Topshop and Topman outlets.

Asos has also bought the Miss Selfridge brand, however, at the time of writing, the local franchisee has failed to respond as to whether any changes to the local Miss Selfridge can be expected.

In addition to the Topshop and Topman brands being bought out by Asos, other brands Dorkins represents in Malta, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis, are both in talks with fast-fashion online retailer Boohoo to be bought out.

Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Wallis were owned by Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group, which collapsed into administration in November 2020.

Traditional brick-and-mortar retail business models had already experienced troubles prior to the pandemic, however, COVID appears to have pushed the once major fashion group over the edge.