Following Zara’s hotly anticipated entry into the Australian market (see Marketing’s August edition, on newsstand now), the British retailer TOPSHOP has announced Australia as the 32nd market it will enter.

The brand’s first Australian location will be within Melbourne’s The Jam Factory on Chapel Street – a high street shopping destination.

“Following much anticipation, I am delighted to confirm the launch of TOPSHOP in Melbourne, a city known for it’s diverse cultures and inspiring street style. I feel confident the TOPSHOP aesthetic will strike a [chord] with the effortless chic Australian girls have become synonymous with in recent years. We are very excited to be partnering with Hilton Seskin of Next Athleisure with the joint-aim of creating a dynamic retail space to house the best we have to offer, ” said Mary Homer, Managing Director, TOPSHOP, in a release.

Her equivalent at TOPMAN, David Shepherd, managing director, said the brand had confidence in the Australian market based on the significant growth in online sales through Topman.com over the previous year. He also said further locations in Sydney and Melbourne were planned.

Next Athleisure obtained exclusive franchise rights for the cult brand within Australia. TOPSHOP operates 750 stores internationally and was founded in 1964, TOPMAN in 1978.