To not remember the last thing I bought in TopShop?

[Dishwashersaurous]

So, I know that I am not the key demographic anymore but I can’t remember the last time I bought anything in TOpshop.

But as a teenager a trip to the Oxford street topshop was nirvana and my mum would often buy stuff there as well.

So has topshop just lost its fashion way and competitive pricing irrespective of the pandemic or not?

Last time I was In a Top Shop was the 90s. Did like it when I was a teen. There and Miss Selfridge.

Their stuff is ridiculously expensive for what it is. I've been in topman a few times, looking for stuff for Ds1, and have always left empty handed because the quality is dire and found nicer stuff for about 2/3 of the price in H&M.

@QueenOfLabradors Ooh can I ask what your job is? Sorry, off topic but I'd love an outdoor job. Sadly I'm stuck in an office.

I can't remember. The last time l went into a store must be a good five years. It's way too expensive and seems to want to target the younger market. They used to have some nice designs. Maybe they could fill a gap for the older market. Us lot in our 40s and 50s want to be trendy and can afford more quality items. Most of the high street offerings too young or too old.

I am hoping that fast fashion is dying a death to be honest. Trends that last a few years like leopard print are a bit more sustainable.

I bought a top in 2003 that I wore for years for work, and that I'd probably buy another of even now. Unfortunately I'm not a teenage girl so nothing in TS fits me.

I also bought some pants in 2007.

I had a look when I was in my thirties and it was all tiny sizes and teenage girls.

I do it was some Pepe Jean's c. 1985, I loved those Jean's but I don't think the fact that I haven't been back in (at least) 20 years is their problem

I find it very hard these days to find the right balance with regard quality, frumpiness and cheap looking. I'm happy to pay a bit more but do expect the stuff to be better. The better quality stuff seems to be made for old people and that can't mean me

What's wrong with shareholders receiving dividends?

Philip Green took a dividend of more than 1bn at a time when Topshop was at the height of their success. It was more than 4x the groups pre tax profits. Any retailer knows fashion is fickle, why load a company with so much debt?

I bought a top to wear for my first date with DH so 16 years ago when I was early twenties. Still have it! I look at it now and am amazed that I used to think I was fat back then! I have no idea how I ever fitted into it. Don't recall shopping in there since.

I shopped regularly in Top Shop/ Miss Selfridge in the late 90s, I still have a few things I bought in 1999/2000. I lost a lot of weigh last year and got down to a size 10-12, so went in a couple of times. I didn't buy anything. The shops I went in (2 different towns) were really tatty, badly organised and there was nothing nice in there at all. There were many nicer, cheaper things in New Look and Primark.

I had some lovely basic tops from there back in 2006/2007 - fairly plain but with a bit of an edge and in a range of great colours. I also have fond memories of those kate moss tea dresses, and they did some lovely jumpers. They also did a decent student discount.

It’s totally lost it’s way now. Overpriced, lacks direction, has been left behind by its core market (young women) and had failed to realign itself. Also Philip Green is a twat

I bought six pairs of sunglasses there in July, £5 each in the sale. Very happy with them!

Topshop, back in the day (20 years ago 😳) used to be the only place that used to sell jeans for the taller lady. I used to be a size 8-10 and 6ft. Loved it.

Went in the there a few months ago and it was shit and well overpriced.

Surprised by this thread! I'm 34 and I adore Topshop. Mostly buy their jeans, jumpers and coats, but I love it...!

No complaints from me re quality and the clothes fit me really well (10/12)!

Top shop used to be my go to from 13 to around 27. It was the only shop where I could by 34 length jeans at a reasonable price.

Back in the day, Topshop had no competition so it was easy for it to do collab with the latest super model and flog expensive tat. These days it’s got Bohoo and the like, who operate a completely different business model at a cheaper price point.

I love Top Shop and bought a really nice fake leather jacket from there this year, but hardly buy anything from there as I’m too old for it now really, but I hope it does stay in business in case I become young again one day and can shop there again.

Paying a big dividend doesn't mean loading a company with debt. You have to pay a dividend out of distributable profits. If you look at 2018 and 2019 together, they made a profit. It's this year that has been the killer. Think of their target market not buying new clobber for going out every week for starters.

I don't think I've been in one since the early 00's. It was always too expensive for me, especially when I was a young student. That's probably their downfall. They aim at a generally young audience but are competing which much cheaper fast fashion shops such as Primark.

The last time I was in one was last night buying a shed load of vouchers for Christmas presents

I went in there a couple of years ago and thought it was very expensive for what it was.

Loved top shop when I was in my teens and 20’s, I used to buy my jeans in there as their taller range was brilliant. I may have bought maternity clothes in the late 00’s, but I don’t think I’ve bought anything since, nothing appealed.

Paying a big dividend doesn't mean loading a company with debt.

Who said it did? I'm specifically taking about this dividend, which was a loan in this case against Arcadia.

It's this year that has been the killer.

They were struggling before Covid, the US idea didn't work, they have closed stores here, huge pension deficits, hence the CVAs

God Topshop just used to be so cool. I absolutely loved it as a teen and in my early 20s. I still have a Kate Moss tea dress and jacket that I wear regularly and some Ria jeans from 1998 that are in amazing condition.

Haven’t bought anything since at least ten years ago though when our local branch shut.

Fun fact: Chris Moyles started his radio career on Radio Topshop in Leeds.

@ohhhhnooo

What's wrong with shareholders receiving dividends?

Philip Green took a dividend of more than 1bn at a time when Topshop was at the height of their success. It was more than 4x the groups pre tax profits. Any retailer knows fashion is fickle, why load a company with so much debt?

You did

How was it not clear I was talking about Philip Green & Arcadia?

I'm sure half my student loan (that I still owe) was spent in Topshop circa 1998. 😬. Don't remember the last thing I bought there.