Topshop And Uniqlo To Open In Australia

A slew of international retailers including Topshop, Forever 21 and Uniqlo are reportedly set to open up shop in Australia in 2012/13.

The news comes ahead of Zara's imminent opening in Sydney's CBD next week, which has ignited interest from overseas brands looking to expand their market.

"It is understood that Topshop has secured a new local partnership with Next Athleisure and would like to open their first flagship store in Sydney CBD in 2012," Knight Frank's associate director, Alex Alamsyah, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

And while the closure of Borders bookstores across the country left many feeling despondent, the empty stores might be put to good use.

"Forever 21 from the US has recently met major shopping centre owners to discuss takeover of some stores of embattled bookstore chain Borders in Australia," explained Alamysah.

In addition, Japanese store Uniqlo, US retailer Abercrombie & Fitch, and Swedish department store H&M are reportedly eyeing Australia for their next ventures.

"The order appears to be Zara next week, Topshop next year with F21 and Abercrombie & Fitch likely to arrive in 2012/2013, while Uniqlo and H&M may follow in 2013/2014," said Alamysah.

"Fashion fans like to see great showdowns of highly anticipated and long-speculated battles of heavyweight brands in prime Sydney CBD locations. They're likely to see a face-off between Zara and Topshop, F21 and H&M, and A&F and Uniqlo."