Nordstrom embraces British fashion with expanded Topshop partnership

Nordstrom is investing in more Oxford Circus style, adding store-within-a-store boutiques featuring Brit brands Topshop and Topman to more of its upscale department stores, including the location under construction at the Americana at Brand.

Topshop capsules will open in 28 more Nordstrom locations starting in late September, the Los Angeles Times reported, bringing the total to 42 stores. Once eight planned Topman additions launch, 18 Nordstroms around the country will feature the men’s fashions.

Topshop and Topman, which are owned by Arcadia Group, have U.S. flagships in New York, Chicago and Las Vegas. A Los Angeles stop opened in February at the Grove shopping center.

Outside of those shops, Seattle-based Nordstrom is the only retailer to offer a wide assortment of Topshop or Topman products, an arrangement set up last summer.

In a tough retail environment marked by a slew of dire earnings reports this month, many companies are looking to liven up their merchandise offerings. Other chains, such as J.C. Penney and Target, also market exclusive partnerships.

Earlier this month, Nordstrom bucked the dismal earnings trend set by competitors by announcing better-than-forecast financials. The company said its second-quarter profit jumped to $184 million, or 93 cents a share, from $156 million, or 75 cents a share, a year earlier.

Revenue for the three months ended Aug. 3 rose 6.4% to $3.1 billion. Same-store sales, a less volatile measure, were up 4.4%.

However, Nordstrom trimmed its outlook for the full year, saying it expects revenue, same-store sales and earnings per share to perform less well than previously anticipated.

The Topshop and Topman brands, which compete with the likes of H&M; and Zara and are known for their trendy looks, are coming to several Nordstroms in California.

The Topshop debuts will come at the Americana at Brand in Glendale, Fashion Island in Newport Beach, Fashion Valley in San Diego, Westfield Galleria at Roseville and Brea Mall.

Topman will come to Horton Plaza in San Diego, Stonestown Galleria Mall in San Francisco and the Brea center

-- Tiffany Hsu, Los Angeles Times

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