Another Player Enters the Market

History has a tendency of repeating itself. Looking at the current landscape, it’s like the late 19th century all over again with foreign entities coming in to carve up a piece of China. Even though the trade is no longer in opium, a new drug has hastened the slicing and dicing of the market. This drug makes the red paper fly out of your pocket as you attempt to fill the hunger inside, but at least with this addiction you end up looking good. Damn good. We’re talking about the insatiable beast that is fashion, and, for all anglophiles out there, get ready to scream in unison as the U.K.’s uber-trendy Topshop will hit our shores in 2008. Yes ladies, next year you too can be as glamorous as Kate Moss.

Rumor has it that the megalith that is the Super Brand Mall in Shanghai’s Pudong will be the site of the first Topshop in China. According to Reuters, “Topshop is definitely not coming to China for just one store. It is also looking at many other Chinese cities, such as Beijing and Hong Kong.” With China’s retail market valued at $1 trillion USD, that’s more than enough impetus for Topshop to tread where Zara, the French Connection, and MNG have all gone. As part of its entry strategy, Topshop plans to target young Chinese consumers with a philosophy of hip designs at affordable prices. Hmmm, isn’t that supposed to be H&M? Somebody better call Don King because I smell a cat fight.

Image: The Beautifully Damned