Green 'eyes US Topshop expansion'

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Entrepreneur Philip Green is planning to branch out in the US by opening some Topshop stores, according to reports.

According to the Sunday Times he plans to capitalise on the recent success of the chain's Kate Moss fashion range and open three shops in New York.

Mr Green plans to spend around $100m (£50.4m) after the success of his joint venture with department store Barneys.

"We are definitely going ahead with the American expansion - we have just pressed the button," he told the paper.

The Kate Moss collection launched at Barney's stores across the US last week, and sold out across the East Coast of America within days.

Expansion plans

Last month, Mr Green admitted that the US launch of the Moss range would be the "ultimate test" for the Topshop brand in America, while the Barneys deal would "enable us to learn and give us a toe in the water".

Mr Green aims to open the first store within nine months, and is hoping to build up 150,000 square foot of trading space across the three stores.

Areas he is currently thought to be targeting for the shop sites are Madison, Lexington and Fifth Avenues as well as the broader Midtown area.

Mr Green has already set out plans to open more than 100 Topshop stores overseas by 2010 - including sites in Paris and Scandinavia.

Topshop is part of retail tycoon Philip Green's Arcadia Group.