Topshop’s coming to Queen Street: in something of a coup, The Bay nabs the fast-fashion retailer
We’ve been wondering for months when Topshop would establish its first Canadian flagship store. Well, last night, our questions were answered, as The Bay’s president and CEO Bonnie Brooks announced that Topshop and Topman will be opening within the year at the department store’s Queen Street flagship, marking a second attempt for the U.K. fast-fashion purveyor to break into the Toronto market.
Not only has Bonnie Brooks decided to house the U.K. chain in The Bay itself, she has also managed to secure the franchise rights, initiating plans for Toronto’s first stand-alone Topshop. This all sounds fantastic for The Bay, but what really piqued our interest was this quote from Topman managing director David Shepherd: “We are very excited to have secured our first introduction in the Canadian market with the partnership of The Bay, and look forward to the opening of the first store in Toronto with great anticipation.”
First introduction? That’s news to us—and, likely, to Jonathan and Olivia, who have been carrying Topshop lines since last June. Looks like those initial attempts to break into Toronto have been swept under the rug. It’s probably nothing personal. Just (big) business.
Update: Jonathan and Olivia’s Jackie O’ Brien responds to The Bay’s factual error.
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