Asos Considers Selling Topshop to Authentic Brands Group

Struggling UK online fashion retailer explores selling Topshop brand to US retail giant Authentic Brands Group, potentially marking a return of the brand to brick-and-mortar stores and a shift in competition with retail tycoon Mike Ashley.

• Asos is considering selling Topshop to Authentic Brands Group, a US-based retail giant owning brands such as Ted Baker, Reebok, and Forever 21, among others.
• Authentic Brands' acquisition of Topshop could mark the return of the brand to high-street stores, which Asos had opted out of when they acquired the brand in a £330m deal in 2021.
• The sale would put Authentic Brands' founder, Jamie Salter, more directly in competition with retail tycoon Mike Ashley, who holds stakes in Asos, Boohoo and Hugo Boss.
• Authentic Brands' acquisition could potentially aid Asos' struggles due to recent sales slump and help in turning around the business.
• Speculations are rife that Asos might be taken private by one of its investors, with Mike Ashley and Danish billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen being rumoured suitors.

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