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JD Sports Is Reportedly in Talks With Authentic Brands Group to Acquire Topshop

A Topshop store | Source: Shutterstock — A Topshop store. Shutterstock.

Cathaleen Chen

13 January 2021

The UK-based sporting goods retailer is discussing a joint bid with the American licensing company for Topshop, Sky News reported Wednesday. Topshop’s parent company Arcadia Group, founded by Sir Philip Green, entered administration last November. As part of the deal, JD Sports would be ABG’s operating partner.

Fast fashion retailer Next is also expected to be a bidder for Arcadia’s assets. Offers will be due soon, according to Sky News, though the deal between ABG and JD Sports is “far from concrete,” sources told the publication.

ABG is one of the most aggressive licensing companies in acquiring bankrupt retailers in recent years. Its stable of brands include Brooks Brothers, Forever21 and Barneys New York.

About the author

Cathaleen Chen

Cathaleen Chen is Retail Correspondent at The Business of Fashion. She is based in New York and drives BoF’s coverage of the retail and direct-to-consumer sectors.

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