Drapers
28 April 2007
View all stories from this issue.
-
Allders set for a new lease of life
Two years ago, 45-store Allders collapsed. But now the refocused business is ready to grow again -
Analysts back Asos as profits soar
Online fashion retailer Asos.com is on target to more than double its profits in the next two years, analysts said this week. -
Asos.com embroiled in Arrogant Cat fight
Young fashion brand Arrogant Cat is suing Asos.com for design right infringement, after it accused the etailer of copying a pair of denim shorts. A source close to Arrogant Cat said the brand was seeking an injunction to prevent further infringement and the delivery of remaining stock. The two firms collaborated on a range last season. -
Birmingham's retail BID appoints chairman
Retail Birmingham, which operates a Business Improvement District (BID) for the city's retailers, has named Alan Chatham, director of the Mailbox development, as chairman. Birmingham's retailers voted last autumn in favour of paying a levy to support the BID's marketing initiatives, including plans to improve signage and provide information points in the city's main shopping areas. -
Brotherly love can still be supplied
Dealings with suppliers show Bashir Mohammed the good, the bad and the ugly of the industry -
Buchanan Galleries growth in the pipeline
Plans to double the size of the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre in Glasgow have been submitted to the city council. Developers Henderson Global Investors and Land Securities want to add 700,000 sq ft of space to the mall, which houses more than 80 retailers including H&M and Gap. -
Cash injection and supplier rethink kick off Stead & Simpson's recovery
Footwear group Stead & Simpson is hoping that a strategy overhaul and a £30 million refinancing package will help to turn it around under new chief executive David White. -
Celebrity couple Vernon and Tess front Tesco ads
Tesco has signed husband-and-wife TV presenters Vernon Kay and Tess Daly as the faces of its clothing ranges. The agreement is set to run for a year and will begin early next month, when the first shots of the duo will feature in stores. The images were taken in South Africa, with the couple modelling the supermarket's spring 07 clothing collection. Clothing chief executive Terry Green described the deal as a 'major coup' for Tesco. 'Not only do they look great, they are also regular Tesco sh -
Cheshire Bespoke to step up tailoring production
Tailoring manufacturer Cheshire Bespoke is planning to expand its factory in Crewe and double production, a year after the company was founded. -
Coast on expansion trail with 35-store target
Mosaic Fashions-owned retailer Coast has secured at least five new sites, as part of the group's plans to open 35 stores across its fascias this year. One opened in St Albans this month and others are due to be unveiled at Clarks Village in Somerset in May, Exeter in September and two in Ireland in October. It is understood that the retailer is also looking at sites in Cardiff and Bristol. -
Comptoir des Cotonniers in management rejig
French womenswear retailer Comptoir des Cotonniers has parted company with founder and chief executive Frederic Biousse after a management shake-up instigated by parent group Fast Retailing. Sales chief Elie Kouby has also left and has been replaced by Twiggy Jouannet. Biousse's role has been filled by Fast Retailing executive Masa Matsushitam, while Gap executive Vincent Douillet has joined to head its retail operations. -
Disney dabbles in denim with new kidswear range
Disney is gearing up to launch its first UK range of non-character Disney-branded kidswear, ahead of a potential move into adult clothing. -
Drapers and BFC offer award for UK colleges
Drapers has teamed up with the British Fashion Council to launch a new award for UK fashion colleges. -
Drapers Share Monitor - Supermarkets go green to woo City
Marks & Spencer was one of several retailers launching green strategies this week as part of the 'We're In This Together' campaign. -
End of road for Brighton indie
Brighton streetwear independent One40Five Store has closed after more than 10 years of trading, due to financial problems after mass-market retailers moved into the seaside city. -
Esslemont & MacIntosh to shut up shop
Department store Esslemont & MacIntosh, part of Owen Owen, will shut next week after administrator Kroll failed to find a buyer for the Aberdeen shop, which has 107 staff. It will shut on May 5 if a deal is not secured. Kroll said two parties were negotiating for Owen Owen's other stores - Robbs in Hexham, Lewis's in Liverpool and Joplings in Sunderland. It is thought Allders is one of the interested parties. -
Fox Williams' seminar looks at contract issues
Law firm Fox Williams is hosting a distribution seminar on May 15 to examine issues surrounding the termination of contracts in UK and EU markets. Chaired by Fox Williams' fashion specialist Stephen Sidkin, it will feature speakers from French, German and Dutch members of the firm's EU network. For more information, phone 020 7614 2545 or email mmooney@foxwilliams.com. -
French Connection out to make friends online
French Connection has launched a MySpace-style website to strengthen its appeal to the youth market. The networking site, www.anewmovement.com, targets under-25s and invites aspiring designers and musicians to upload pictures, blogs and other information. -
Future is bright for Miss Selfridge's new range
Miss Selfridge has launched a trend-led basics collection under the brand T Boutique. The range includes smock tops, cardigans, crocheted black vests and boob-tube dresses, in bright shades including buttercup yellow, coral, neon pink and electric blue. T Boutique, which will develop throughout the season, went on sale on Thursday and is priced between £6 and £28. -
Galliano fined for misusing ad photographs
Designer John Galliano has been ordered by a French court to pay EUR200,000 (£136,000) in damages for unauthorised use of images belonging to US photographer William Klein. The images were used in an ad campaign, which ran in a number of fashion magazines. Galliano has been told to pay EUR150,000 (£102,000) for abusing Klein's authorial rights and EUR50,000 (£34,000) in damages due to the original work being poorly reproduced in the adverts. -
Gap promotes Muto to presidential role
Gap has named Gary Muto as president of GapAdult and GapBody. The company veteran was formerly president of Gap's US start-up Forth & Towne, which will close in June. Muto takes over from former GapBody chief Tom Wyatt, who was last month made president of Gap's outlet division, and GapAdult boss Denise Johnston, who resigned in January. Muto joined the retailer in 1988 as merchandise manager. -
Gap's European team shapes autumn offer
Shirt dresses, oversized cardigans and Balenciaga-inspired jodhpurs will all feature in Gap's autumn 07 range, the first complete collection designed by the chain's European merchandising and design team. -
Gola makes its retail debut with Tokyo store
Footwear brand Gola unveiled its first standalone store last week, in Harajuku, Tokyo. The 695 sq ft shop could be followed by more international openings, although the firm would not confirm a timescale or locations. -
Green denies Debenhams bid interest
Arcadia-owner Sir Philip Green has denied any interest in Debenhams after bid speculation caused the share price to rise 2.4% to 148.25p as Drapers went to press. City rumours also suggested Baugur and private equity companies could be considering a takeover of the department store group. -
Headworx sponsors English surfing contest
UK boardsports brand Headworx is sponsoring the English Surf Championships at Watergate Bay in Newquay, Cornwall, on May 5-7. The Championships are run by the English Surfing Federation, a not-for-profit group that supports English surfers. -
High street Hit or Miss Brighton
Drapers returns to Brighton to review its high street womenswear offer for spring, with product ranges and store environments put under the spotlight -
Identity Crisis
The theft of TK Maxx's customer card data showed that retailers must take responsibility for preventing ID theft. But some retailers are dragging their feet -
Jaeger aims for overseas growth
Premium menswear and womenswear retailer Jaeger plans to double its international store count over the next 18 months. The firm aims to increase its retail, franchise and wholesale business, increasing its portfolio of overseas stores from 40 to 80. It is scoping new areas in Australia, South Africa, eastern Europe and the US. -
Katherine Hooker launches ready-to-wear for autumn
Designer Katherine Hooker has unveiled her first ready-to-wear collection for autumn 07. The range includes a tailored coat with funnel neck and paisley detailing, as well as a suede jacket and a velvet collar and cuff coat. Jackets start from £350 and coats from £450. The collection will initially be sold only in Katherine Hooker's shop in Chelsea south-west London. -
Leeds' Victoria Quarter set for new arrivals
Paul Smith is to open a store in the upmarket Victoria Quarter shopping centre in Leeds. The retailer is in discussions to open a 3,800 sq ft shop in September. It will join shirt retailer Hawes & Curtis, which opened last week, as well as Louis Vuitton, Agent Provocateur, Harvey Nichols and Ted Baker. -
Legal notices
PETITIONS PRESENTED -
Lingerie added to Bostock's brief as M&S rejigs top team
Marks & Spencer will ramp up the fashionability of its lingerie following a senior management shake-up. -
Littlewoods' fashion gets faster
Littlewoods is ramping up its focus on fast fashion and ecommerce by launching an online womenswear 'catwalk' to showcase its Love Label brand. -
Liverpool One names new chief executive
Grosvenor, developer of the Liverpool One development, has signed Joanne Jennings as chief executive of the scheme. Jennings who is currently chief executive at Belfast City Centre Management, will oversee the launch and management of the scheme, set to open next year. Retailers including John Lewis and New Look have already signed up. -
Mailbox hoists the For Sale sign in Birmingham
The Mailbox shopping centre in Birmingham is up for sale with a price tag of £300 million. The 1.5 million sq ft scheme, overseen by Birmingham Development Company, includes upmarket retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Emporio Armani and Hugo Boss. A 500,000 sq ft extension to the centre, called The Cube, is currently being built. -
Moss moves to secure her brand
Kate Moss could be gearing up to build an online branded empire, after she trademarked her name and included a specific clause focused on internet retailing. -
Off the Record
Rumours, gossip, parties -
Online accessories store for Tanner Krolle
Luxury accessories brand Tanner Krolle has unveiled a transactional website this month. It said the new site, at www.tannerkrolle.com, took 7% of its total retail sales in the first week of its launch. -
Original Factory Shop aims for 100 stores as growth strategy hots up
Value chain The Original Factory Shop is to open 15 stores in the next twelve months, as part of plans to grow its portfolio to 100 stores by the end of 2008. -
Oxford Street could host Primark duo
Value chain Primark is not ruling out opening a second store on London's Oxford Street, amid soaring sales at the retailer. -
Papillon Bleu's revamped website goes live
Beachwear and accessories label Papillon Bleu has relaunched its website, www.papillonbleu.com. The revamped site features a new section called Live Help, a free online service allowing visitors to chat directly with a shopping assistant. -
Parallel lines
Diffusion lines from major international brands are nothing new, but there is now a growing trend for smaller, more niche designers to add a slightly cheaper range to their offer -
Pringle rebrands Red Label as 1815
Pringle of Scotland is renaming its more youthful Red Label line for autumn 07 as part of a strategy to develop it into a global standalone brand. -
Red Alert unveils web recruitment site
UK fashion distributor and recruitment agency Red Alert has launched a jobs website. The site, www.redalertagencies.com, also has information on the brands that Red Alert distributes, including K-Swiss, Criminal and Chilli Pepper. The company is in talks to add a European womenswear brand to its portfolio. -
Sainsbury's vows to take on high street with trendier Tu
Sainsbury's clothing market share for its Tu range is on target to reach 1% before the end of the year, as it prepares to square up to the high street with a directional autumn 07 collection and new store concept. -
Selfridges to overhaul women's Superbrands
London department store Selfridges will revamp its womenswear Superbrands room within the next 18 months as it continues to innovate and differentiate itself from its rivals. -
Shellys shuts Oxford Circus shop
Shellys has closed its flagship London Oxford Circus store after 16 years of trading. The shop, which shut on Saturday, has been sold to Italian lingerie firm Calzedonia, which owns lingerie chain Intimissimi. It is thought Calzedonia paid a seven-figure sum, but Michael Ziff, chief executive of Shellys' owner Stylo, would not comment. Ziff said he was in talks with agents over a new store on Oxford Street, which he expected to open within four months. Shellys now has five stores in London an -
Shoppers don't break sweat on ethics
The true cost of value clothing has once again been called into question this week. According to a report in The Observer this weekend, Indian children, possibly as young as nine, are working for nothing on clothing that is sold for next to nothing on the UK high street. -
Stanford bumps up his Mulberry shareholding
Entrepreneur Kevin Stanford has upped his stake in luxury goods firm Mulberry. He spent £3.5 million on 1.5 million shares at 235p last week, pushing his stake over the 22% threshold at which shareholdings must be declared. Stanford now holds 24% of voting rights at the company. -
Strike it rich in the ideas swap shop
Hilary Cookson opens her store to scrutiny and looks forward to doing some studies of her own -
Style excess brings success
After moving to the UK to set up a wholesale and PR office for Danish brand Bruuns Bazaar, Malene Majlund opened a Rutzou and Tara Jarmon showroom in her flat in west London, and InExcess Fashion was born. Six years later the agency has 280 accounts in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and also represents By Malene Birger and French label American Vintage -
Suppliers sign up for fundraising challenge
Development agency CARE International has signed menswear firm Morrison McConnell and schoolwear supplier Banner to take part in the Prima Solutions Adventure Challenge. -
Tesco goes trendy with fancy pants range
Tesco will launch a trend-led lingerie label called Charmed under its F&F brand in August. The collection, which will be available in 382 stores, will be priced at £6 to £8 for bras and £3 for briefs. Briefs will be available in sizes 8 to 16, with bras from 32A to 38D. -
The Drapers Fashion Fix Poll
Every week we ask Drapersblog.com readers their opinion on the question of the week. -
The North Face prepares to climb into fashion markets for autumn
Outdoor pursuits brand The North Face is to venture beyond its technical credentials by launching two urban fashion collections for autumn 07. -
Tom Joule
Seven years after setting up countrywear label Joules, founder Tom Joule now aims to widen the brand’s lifestyle appeal to help it square up to its retail rivals -
Ugg adds leather styles to its autumn collection
Footwear brand Ugg Australia is stepping up its product offer by 40% for autumn 07. -
Upheaval for Reebok's European offices
Reebok is poised to reshuffle its UK operations as part of plans to relocate the brand's European arm. Some of Reebok UK's back-office operations will be moved to a new European HQ in Amsterdam, which will open this summer. The brand has offices in Lancaster and Bolton in Lancashire, but it is unclear how its UK staff will be affected. Reebok was unavailable for comment. -
Web users fishing for Crocs
US footwear brand Crocs has been named as the current most popular fashion-related internet search term in the UK. -
Website for New Look's Lily Allen range
New Look has launched an information website ahead of the launch of its Lily Allen collection. The site includes a blog by the singer, product previews and store listings. The Lily Loves line will launch in 312 stores in the UK and Europe next month. -
Weller gets shirty with Ben Sherman
Paul Weller and Ben Sherman have teamed up to create Paul Weller Candy, a range of mod-inspired shirts. The rock star sketched ideas for the brand's designers, stipulating Italian buttons, a four-finger button-down collar, 100% cotton pinpoint Oxford fabrication and a back yolk-hang pleat. The five-style collection will hit stores this spring and wholesales at £22. -
White City adds Hugo Boss to its line-up
Hugo Boss is to launch its fourth UK shop, at the Westfield London mall in White City. The 4,252 sq ft shop will sell all of Hugo Boss's brands, including Boss Black, Boss Orange and Boss Green. The centre will open on October 16 next year. Hugo Boss is owned by CWM.
