Key Points
- Topshop reopens in Glasgow’s Buchanan Galleries shopping centre following closures in 2020.
- The brand partners with John Lewis to stock merchandise in 32 stores, including Glasgow and Edinburgh.
- Topshop was acquired by ASOS in 2021 after Arcadia’s collapse, with previous pop-up trials in John Lewis.
- Shoppers express excitement over the return of iconic fashion items like cult denim and retro styles.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) February 17, 2026 – Topshop, the iconic high street fashion brand, returns to Glasgow today through a partnership with John Lewis at Buchanan Galleries.
The reopening marks the first physical high street presence for Topshop in the city since its standalone stores on Buchanan Street and Argyle Street closed in 2020. John Lewis stocks the full range across 32 locations nationwide, reviving access to popular items after years of online-only sales.
What prompted Topshop’s high street comeback?
Topshop vanished from physical stores in 2021 following the administration of its former owner Arcadia, with ASOS acquiring the brand and initially focusing on online retail. Calls from shoppers for an in-store return grew, leading to partnerships including a debut at Liberty in August and Christmas pop-ups in select John Lewis sites.
As reported by Heather Sweeney of Glasgow Standard, the partnership brings Topshop merchandise back to high street shops for the first time since the pandemic, with positive reactions from Glasgow city centre shoppers missing 2016 fashion trends like colourful tights and retro polos.
How are shoppers and retailers responding?
Topshop managing director Michelle Wilson stated:
“Today is about making it easier for customers to access the Topshop and Topman pieces they love. From our cult denim to new-season footwear, you can see it, feel it and take it home the same day.”
What do Glasgow locals say about the revival?
According to Glasgow Standard, shoppers in the city centre welcomed the reintroduction, highlighting nostalgia for fashion from simpler times. The move aligns with John Lewis’s spring/summer expansion of new brands.
What does this mean for John Lewis and high street retail?
John Lewis managing director Peter Ruis described the partnership as “a significant acceleration of our fashion ambition,” positioning the chain as the exclusive home for Topshop alongside other brands, backed by a £800 million store investment. Daily Business reports Topman availability in seven locations, including Glasgow.
This development signals renewed optimism for British high street fashion amid ongoing recovery from pandemic-era closures.
