Drapers
29 March 2008
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A week in fashion: the buying conundrum
April 12. That is the date etched on most retailer's minds as we come out of Easter week and the first of the school holidays. -
Banana Republic, London
After debuting on Regent Street, Gap’s sister chain is determined to live up to the hype surrounding its UK launch. -
Debenhams share price dives as investor sells stake
Debenhams share price dived by 17% yesterday as a major investor sold its remaining stake in the department store business. -
DR Shoes appoints new designer
Footwear supplier DR Shoes has appointed Scott Wills to the permanent position of men's footwear designer. -
Easter footfall plummets
Footfall over the Easter weekend sunk by 19.7% against last Easter according to data trackers Springboard. -
EU to investigate Visa charges
The EU is to launch an investigation into fees levied by Visa, a move welcomed by the British Retail Consortium. -
Footfall hit by Easter chill on high street...but indies shrug off snow storms
High street sales were hampered by the early Easter, chaotic school holiday calendar and wintry weather over the bank holiday weekend.Multiples told Drapers it was impossible to compare this Easter like-for-like with last year because there were so many variables, but added that trade had been poor as consumers tightened their belts amid nervousness about the economy.Figures from data company Springboard, which counts shopper numbers, showed that Easter footfall was down 19.7% -
Fresh fury over M&S restructure
Legal and General, a shareholder in Marks & Spencer, has turned up the heat on M&S, rejecting fresh explanations over the promotion of Sir Stuart Rose from chief executive to executive chairman. -
George sets its sights on number one
Anthony Thompson, the new managing director of George at Asda, has ambitious growth targets for the next three years. -
H&M Q1 sales flat in UK
UK sales at Swedish fashion chain H&M were flat for the first three months of the financial year, while group sales rose 18%. -
High street sales flat in March
High street stores reported flat year-on-year sales in March, as retailers posted a mixed bag of sales for the month. -
Intimas kicks off strategic review following heavy losses
Intimas' new chairman John Gibson has launched a strategic review after sale and profits collapsed at the lingerie business. -
Is Carla Bruni the new Diana?
President Sarkozy. Who? Looking at the newspapers this morning, Sarkozy barely gets a name check despite him being on an official state visit to the UK. -
Jane Lewis
The founder of womenswear brand Goat – most famous for its chunky cashmere knits – tells Drapers how she is developing her collection. -
John Lewis appoints womenswear buying head
John Lewis has appointed former East and Debenhams director Jo Hooper as head of buying for womenswear. -
John Lewis bucks Easter misery
John Lewis scored Easter sales 7% ahead of last year, shaking off last weekend's collapse in footfall amidst the unseasonal weather. -
Laura Ashley like-for-likes slump but profits soar
Fashion to furnishings retailer Laura Ashley saw like-for-like fashion sales collapse 4.4% for the year to January 26 but group profit before tax soared 62.3% to £19.8 million. -
Laura Ashley raises Moss Bros stake
Fashion to furnishings group Laura Ashley has raised its stake in Moss Bros to 5.96%, fuelling speculation that it could make a bid for the beleaguered menswear retailer. -
Lee Cooper
The original UK denim brand hits a hundred this year, with centennial plans creating a buzz around its repositioning. -
Liberty of London launches transactional site
Liberty has launched a transactional website selling accessories under its own label Liberty of London. -
Littlewoods' denim sales rocket
Littlewoods Shop Direct has seen denim sales take off, boosted by its own brand ranges. -
Microzine boss joins The Lab
Microzine founder and sportswear guru Chris Lee has been appointed creative director of The Lab, a sports and fashion retail concept launched by sportswear veteran Michael Guest. -
Morgan to shut UK retail operation
French young fashion brand Morgan is close its seven UK stores and 28 department store concessions. -
New Look launches 360 degree mirror
New Look has launched a 360 degree mirror, which enables shoppers to see their bottoms in that crucial pair of jeans. -
News in brief
News in brief for the week ending February 9, 2008. -
Non-food sales lift Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's reported like-for-like sales of 4.1% (excluding petrol) for the 12 weeks to March 22, boosted by 'strong growth' in its non-food business. -
Now is the time for retail acquisitions says Plimsoll
The economic downturn has brought big opportunities for UK fashion retailers to buy each other out and strengthen their position in the market according to a report by industry analysts Plimsoll. -
Primark closes on M&S market share
Primark has moved a step closer to toppling Marks & Spencer from the top spot in clothing market share, after its volume share leapt to 10.1%. -
Steve Makin
There is no room for mediocrity at 10-store branded footwear retailer Footasylum, as its co-founder strives to bring passion and innovation back to the trainer market.
