PrettyLittleThing founder posts interest in Topshop deal
Umar Kamani went on Twitter to express his interest in buying the struggling fashion brand
PrettyLittleThing founder Umar Kamani has expressed his interest in buying TopShop from Asos.
Commenting on X (FKA Twitter) on a report regarding the possible sale from Asos, Kamani wrote: “I would buy this and bring it back like the good old days.. rockin and rollin.”
Kamani is a member of the founding family of the Bohoo Group, which now owns Nasty Gal, Coast, Wallis, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams. He founded PrettyLittleThing in 2012 and was CEO of the brand until April when he decided to step down.
The news comes as reports emerged last week that Asos was in talks with ABG, Ted Baker and Frasers Group about the possible sale of TopShop.
Asos CEO Jose Antonio Ramos Calamonte, who took over as chief executive of Asos last year, is examining a potential disposal as one of the options. Last October, Calamonte unveiled a 12-month turnaround plan to sharpen the business’ operating performance and reduce costs.
Founded in the 1960s, TopShop was once one of the top retailers on the high street boasting collaborations with designers and celebrities. The fashion brand collapsed when Arcadia Group went into administration in 2020 following the pandemic. Asos subsequently bought it in February 2021 for £265m, as well as Topman, Miss Selfridge and HIIT.
