Department store Topshelf to close last branch

By

Shomara Roosblad

Published
Nov 22, 2017

According to media reports, Dutch department store chain Topshelf will close its Alkmaar branch in mid-January. The Alkmaar-based store is the last operating shop of the chain, which earlier closed branches in Arnhem, Nijmegen and Groningen.

The chain cites disappointing sales as the reason for the Alkmaar closure. According to the retailer, the branch had potential, but needed more time to market the concept to audiences. With the closure, Topshelf is disappearing from the Dutch high street. However, the company has not yet filled for bankruptcy, according to newspaper NRC.

About 35 employees of the Alkmaar branch will lose their jobs. They will remain at work until their contracts expire. The Alkmaar branch will remain open in the coming weeks to sell the last of the stock. This is also the case at the Arnhem and Groningen branches, which closed in September. 

Topshelf was founded in 1995 and started in Leerdam as a megastore focused on sports and outdoors. After the bankruptcy of department store V&D in December 2015, Topshelf opened new branches in the former V&D buildings. In April 2016 the company announced an expansion and the opening of the Arnhem store, followed by Nijmegen en Groningen.

In December 2016 the retailer announced that the city-based branches (Arnhem, Nijmegen, Groningen and Alkmaar) would continue as Topshelf, focusing on fashion, luxury gifts and interiors. Branches outside of the city (eg. Beuningen, Leerdam, Cruqius) continued as Sportsworld, with a focus on its initial sports and outdoor range.

Topshelf carried brands such as Guess, McGregor, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger,Calvin Klein, Ray Ban, Speedo, O’Neill, Atomic, Versace and Superdry. Any information regarding an eventual relaunch is yet to be announced.