Dutch chain Topshelf to close down
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Dutch department store operator Topshelf appears to be closing down.
The company has announced its last store in Alkmaar will close in mid-January, following the shuttering of stores in Arnhem, Nijmegen and Groningen.
The company has not filed for bankruptcy and it says it will continue to employ existing staff as it quits remaining stock. Disappointing sales were cited as the reason for the closure.
Topshelf – no relation to the UK-headquartered Topshop and Topman retail brands – was launched in 1995 as a megastore, focusing on sports and outdoors wear, called Sportsworld. At the end of 2015, it opened stores in premises occupied by collapsed department store chain V&D, expanding further in April last year into Arnhem and Nijmegen en Groningen.
With sales remaining weak last December, the company decided to convert the city stores – Arnhem, Nijmegen, Groningen and Alkmaar – to Topshelf, continuing to operate other branches in Beuningen, Leerdam and Cruquius, outside the city, as Sportsworld.
The Topshelf stores stocked luxury gifts, fashion and homewares and ranged products from brands including Versace, Guess, McGregor, Superdry, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Speedo, Calvin Klein, Ray Ban, O’Neill and Atomic.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which of Topshelf's stores are closing down?
Which of Topshelf's stores are closing down?
The Topshelf stores in Alkmaar, Arnhem, Nijmegen and Groningen are closing. The Alkmaar store will be the last to close in mid-January, following the others.
Q.What reason has Topshelf given for closing its stores?
What reason has Topshelf given for closing its stores?
The company cited disappointing sales as the reason for the closures. Sales remained weak last December, leading to the decision to convert and then close the city stores.
Q.What was the original concept for Topshelf when it launched?
What was the original concept for Topshelf when it launched?
Topshelf launched in 1995 as a megastore called Sportsworld. It originally focused on selling sports and outdoors wear to its customers.
Q.Will Topshelf continue to trade under its Sportsworld brand?
Will Topshelf continue to trade under its Sportsworld brand?
Yes, Topshelf decided to continue operating its branches in Beuningen, Leerdam and Cruquius under the Sportsworld name. These stores are located outside city centres.
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