Topshop Hits the U.S., Joining Other European Apparel Chains

Super-hyped British retailer Topshop has finally opened its first U.S. store in Manhattan. The much-anticipated opening's fanfare was punctuated by a large crowd and an appearance by supermodel Kate Moss, who has her own line of clothing for the discount-fashion outfit.

And it looks like this might not be the chain's first store on this side of the Atlantic. Management is also looking at opening another New York location as well as units in Boston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Miami, said Phillip Green, owner of Topshop parent company Arcadia Group Ltd., according to this article.

So it looks as if Topshop could join the ranks of other Europe-based fashion retailers that crossed the Atlantic and made a lot of headway over here, especially Sweden-based H&M, which operates about 170 U.S. stores. Though Topshop, with 2,400 locations worldwide, just landed in the United States, some reports already have the chain going head to head with H&M in these parts.

H&M isn't the only European chain selling affordable apparel in with a big presence in America. Spain-based Zara, which is owned by INDITEX Group, has 41 stores in the country and continues to make a big push. Another Spanish chain, Mango, has close to 20 U.S. units.

All of these chains couldn't expand at a better time, when our own retail chains, like Ann Taylor, Gap and others are closing stores. Retail landlords are surely welcoming these European concepts with open arms.

Let's just hope that these chains learn from their American counterparts about the dangers of overexpansion.