Nick Robertson

Robertson is the poster boy for online retail. This year he continues his steady climb up the Power List as the Asos juggernaut goes from strength to strength, and all retail eyes are focused on Robertson to try to glean some of the secrets of his online success.

The charismatic chief executive, equally at home surrounded by models as he is analysts, has made Asos the fast-fashion epitome of cool.

The etailer’s team of savvy buyers ensures product is always on-trend, and Asos is now rivalling high street stalwarts such as Topshop in the hearts of the style-conscious masses.

With sales and profits still soaring, the inevitable takeover rumours continue to circulate - especially in light of Danish retailer Bestseller’s slow but steady stake-building in the business - but Robertson is not selling up yet. He is still the driving force behind a business whose pre-tax profits rocketed 41% to £28.6m in its last financial year.

Moreover, there is no containing his ambition to make the etailer a force to be reckoned with on a global scale. Sites in Spain, Italy, Australia and the potential gold mine that is China are on the horizon, signalling that growth looks likely to remain stratospheric.

Asos is also leading the way in technical innovations. In the last financial year it launched both its own marketplace for customers and smaller brands or designers to sell their wares. Its Fashion Finder site shows Robertson’s lack of fear about the competition and his aim to cement Asos’s reputation as an authority on style. On the site, shoppers can take inspiration from fashion trends, and if the product is not sold on Asos, it will direct shoppers to other relevant retailers.

At a time when retailers are looking to online for growth, it is Robertson they want to emulate. Is there any stopping him? Many think not.