The Hut Group is in talks with the publisher behind magazines Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire to create retail websites for its portfolio of brands.

It is thought that the tie-up between the online retail group and Hearst Magazines UK will let readers buy products across its range of magazine sites, The Evening Standard reported.

Hearst publishes 20 magazines and 20 websites in the UK including Company, Men’s Health and Reveal.

The Hut Group originally sold entertainment products on behalf of retailers such as Tesco and Asda, but in recent years operates its own websites, such as Hqhair.com, Allsole.com and Iwantoneofthose.com.

The potential partnership with the media group follows investment this month from the family behind River Island. As part of the Lewis family investment, River Island deputy chairman Clive Lewis joined The Hut Group board as non-executive director. The retail group is expected to list on the stock exchange later this year.

The Hut Group declined to comment.