If the pandemic has accelerated a Darwinian reshaping of the retail landscape, then Asos is now sitting at the top of the food chain (Ashley Armstrong writes). The online retailer, which has evolved from its early beginnings selling copycat designs of fashion worn by celebrities, is now positioning itself to feast on the carcass of Arcadia.
On Monday, Asos confirmed it was in exclusive talks to acquire Topshop, Topman, Miss Selfridge and the less well known HIIT athletic brand from Sir Philip Green’s fallen empire. The British online retailer had been overlooked as a possible contender for the assets due to its former insistence that it did not have a acquisition strategy. However, the surprise has not spooked investors as Asos has made it clear
