Drapers
5 May 2007
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Another Primark store opening frenzy
Primark's latest store opening at Brierley Hill shopping centre at Merry Hill, West Midlands, this week was expected to draw huge crowds, with the first 100 customers receiving a £50 voucher. It follows manic scenes at the retailer's flagship on London's Oxford street last month, when 500 shoppers turned up on opening day. -
Back to the floor
In his four years at the helm of Selfridges, Paul Kelly has spent as much time as possible on the shop floor finding out what makes his staff tick. He takes Drapers on a tour of the retailer’s London flagship -
Benetton brings two new members on board
Benetton Group has announced two new board members, with Alessandro Benetton joining as executive vice-chairman and Alfredo Malguzzi as director. Net income at the Italian fashion group rose 11.7% to EUR125 million (£85.2m) last year, with consolidated revenues up 8.3% to EUR1.9m (£1.3m). -
Boden joins retail roster at The Heart
Mail order clothing retailer Boden is opening its second store, based at The Heart shopping centre in Walton-on-Thames in Surrey. -
Bratz blames high street pressure for its collapse
Six-store kidswear independent Bratz has gone into administration, blaming high rents and pressure from the high street. -
Brighton indie rebrands its stores to appeal to younger customers
Two-store Brighton menswear independent Powell & Palmer has renamed its business Fishers Menswear to attract younger, more upmarket customers, ahead of its online launch later this month. -
Chelsea Stores snapped up by Mothercare
Mothercare has completed the £85 million deal to buy Early Learning Centre owner Chelsea Stores, but it does not include the three-store Daisy & Tom kidswear chain. One store is in the process of closing, while the other two will be retained by a current shareholder, publisher and printer DC Thomson. The acquisition increases Mothercare's portfolio from 225 to 430 UK stores. -
Clarks and Stylo hit by £35m EU tariffs
Footwear giants Stylo and Clarks expect to have lost a combined £35 million by this time next year due to EU tariffs imposed on shoes imported from Vietnam and China in 2006. -
Criminal shifts supply to Far East
Young fashion brand Criminal is moving its supply chain functions to the Far East in a cost-saving drive that will cut lead times by up to three weeks. -
Date announced for Lingerie Contour Ball
The lingerie industry's annual Contour May Ball will take place on May 17 at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington, London. For further information, contact Rachel Senior on 0114 241 8868 or email rachel_senior@panache-lingerie.co.uk. -
Dents plans 230th anniversary collection for autumn 07
British accessories brand Dents will launch a high-end range of leather bags and purses for autumn 07. Called the Portrait collection, it celebrates the brand's 230th year in business. Each of the 50 styles in the range comes in textured, laundered buff leather, punky black leather with rivets, mock croc and quilted finishes. Prices range from £30 to £80. -
Department store Robbs of Hexham to close
Robbs of Hexham, part of department store group Owen Owen, will close on May 12, after administrators failed to find a buyer. It follows last week's decision to shut Owen Owen's Scottish store Esslemont & McIntosh. Meanwhile, only one party remains in negotiations for Owen Owen's other stores, Joplings in Sunderland and Lewis's in Liverpool. Until last week there were two bidders, one of which was understood to be department store group Allders. However, administrator Kroll said Lewis's and J -
Drapers Share monitor - Sports Direct slowdown worries City
Sports Direct's warning that sales are slowing barely two months after its flotation has increased the City's frustration with the group in the past week. Following downgrades, its credibility among City analysts has hit rock bottom. Shares fell 8.75p to 236p, compared with a float at 300p. -
Fashion brands get the charity ball rolling
This year's Walk with Cancer charity ball, in association with The Institute of Cancer Research, will feature catwalk presentations from its host, couture designer Eric Way, as well as tailoring supreme Ermenegildo Zegna. Way has also designed a range of shoes with half the RRP being donated to the charity. Tickets to the ball, which takes place on June 7 at The Savoy in London, cost £185. For more information call 020 7153 5297. -
Fashion Enter adds two more shops to help new designers
Not-for-profit organisation Fashion Enter will open two more stores within the next year to support more designers and grow turnover five-fold to £1 million in three years. -
Fashion sales rise, but wholesale slips
Some 16% of clothing retailers and 67% of footwear and leather goods retailers reported a rise in year-on-year sales in April, compared with the same period last year, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Wholesale fared less well, with 15% of wholesalers reporting a downturn. However, this compared favourably with March, when 21% of wholesalers reported a year-on-year slump. -
Five more Bhs stores poised for a facelift
Bhs has started to roll out its new store concept, which was trialled in London's Oxford Street store in September. Two stores have already been revamped - the Milton Keynes store was completed in April and the Peterborough shop was refitted last week. The new design is due to be rolled out to seven stores in total. -
Former B&B director joins Dusseldorf fairs
Former Bread & Butter marketing director Mark McGuire has joined Igedo Fashion Fairs Dusseldorf, which runs the CPD and GDS events. He will be responsible for developing the young fashion and street wear sector. -
German designer produces Tchibo's first fashion tie-up
Coffee-to-clothing retailer Tchibo is launching its first designer clothing collaboration, called Mitch & Co, as it looks to take on the high street and attract a younger market. -
GMTV fashion awards scoops new sponsor
The Perfume Shop is the new sponsor of GMTV's annual fashion awards, which will take place on May 14 at Cafe de Paris in London. The event will be renamed The Perfume Shop High Street Fashion Awards 2007. The retailer will present its own award for best-dressed female star in high street fashion, which is voted for by shoppers at its 150 UK stores and through the GMTV website. -
Green upbeat as footfall rockets after Moss launch
Sir Philip Green is hailing the launch of the Kate Moss collection a success after footfall at Topshop rocketed on 'K-Day'. -
High street - Hit or Miss - Bluewater
Footwear multiples at Bluewater in Kent are scrutinised this week, with trends, value, product mix and store environment all reviewed and rated -
Home is where the heart is
Former sculptor Beverley Calvert turned her artistic talents to luxurious, lounge-worthy jersey when she launched Hommebody as a menswear label in 1998. Since then, it has expanded into womenswear and maternity-wear, rebranded as Homebody and has 110 stockists worldwide. Distributor Marchpole bought a 51% stake in the business in July 2006. -
Intimas makes its retail debut
Lingerie supplier Intimas Group has launched in the UK retail market with an 800 sq ft space on London's Oxford Street, ahead of its official retail push planned for the end of the year. -
Jane Norman agrees £132m refinance deal
Jane Norman has outlined plans to open more than 100 stores after it announced a £132 million refinancing package. -
JD overhauls its Oxford Street shop as part of fashion facelift
Sports fashion retailer JD is revamping its Oxford Street store to create a London flagship, as it rolls out a more fashion-friendly storefit. -
Justhom.com team launches second website
The team behind men's underwear website Justhom.com has launched a second underwear and swimwear site called Deadgoodundies.com. Partners Adam Davies and Jane Garner set up Justhom.com, which sells Hom collections, in 2004. The new website will sell labels including Bruno Banani, Strellson, and Sloggi for Men. -
KatyRose brings French dressing to UK market
Former Morgan UK buying director Katy Solomons has launched an online and retail concept called KatyRose to bring French womenswear brands to the UK market. -
Kipling gets the Topshop treatment
Accessories brand Kipling will launch its first concession within Topshop's flagship at London's Oxford Circus in May, selling a range of rucksacks and bags. The area will showcase classic styles from the collection, alongside more directional pieces, and is Topshop's first luggage concession. -
Lastminute.com and Gharani Strok team up for dress launch
Gharani Strok has launched a limited edition dress in collaboration with etailer Lastminute.com. The silk version of the trademark Gharani Strok wrap dress, which will be available in June, is designed to fold and fit into a small bag. The black and pink dress, which will retail at £350, comes with a matching pouch and is available on Lastminute.com. Proceeds will go to the Lavender Trust breast cancer charity. -
Legal notices
WINDING-UP ORDERS -
Liberty lines up wholesale expert for top job
Liberty is understood to be close to recruiting a luxury brand wholesale and licensing expert to take the top job at the business. It follows Liberty's plans to move into wholesale with its Liberty of London brand. Chief executive Iain Renwick left last week after four and a half years. His replacement is due to be announced in the next week. -
Littlewoods chairman Simon to retire
Littlewoods Shop Direct chairman David Simon is to retire at the end of May. He has been at the business for five years, overseeing its sale to the Barclay brothers and the merger of Littlewoods and Shop Direct. -
M&S plans premium shoe range
Marks & Spencer is introducing a top tier to its Autograph footwear range as it rolls out a new-look footwear area to 30 stores. -
Mercier Sarl to sell Antik Denim in Europe
Jeanswear brand Antik Denim has signed a licensing agreement with French company Mercier Sarl to sell its range in Europe. The deal, which lasts 20 months, gives Mercier the right to manufacture, sell, market and distribute clothing and accessories for the brand. -
Monsoon Accessorize adds fair trade bags
Monsoon Accessorize will launch its own eco-bags in June. The three-style range, made from fair trade cotton, will be priced at between £5 and £12. -
Mosaic plans footwear concept
Mosaic is rolling out multi-brand young fashion footwear and accessories departments to House of Fraser stores, as it extends its fascias' ranges and leverages its Baugur connections. -
New creative director for Emanuel Ungaro
Emanuel Ungaro Menswear has appointed Franck Boclet as artistic and creative director. Boclet joins from the same role at menswear brand Francesco Smalto and will show his first range in Paris in July. -
New Look to open men's flagship
New Look will unveil a 'menswear flagship store' in London this summer as it aims to increase its slice of the £8 billon menswear market. -
Northern Threads sews up its new brand list
North-east menswear independent Northern Threads has extended its shop to introduce a raft of new brands. The seven-month-old business, run by former Cruise managers Nigel Binnie and Phil Goodfellow, has added a 200 sq ft area to the store in South Shields and brought in new brands including Diesel, J Lindeberg, Lacoste and Nike White Label for autumn. The business also sells clothing and footwear from G-Star, One True Saxon, Modern Amusement, Lyle & Scott, Evisu, Hudson, Jack & Jones and Urb -
Off the Record
Rumours, gossip, parties -
Oliver Sweeney takes new look to Norwich
Footwear brand Oliver Sweeney has rolled out its new format to the first of its concessions, at Norwich-based menswear store Trumbull's. The brand unveiled the concept, which displays footwear and accessories on distressed-effect stainless steel units, in October at its New Bond Street shop in London. -
Other people's hands in my wallet
After dealing with his suppliers, Mark Hale is left wondering who is really running his business -
Oxford St blaze costs stores £1m
London's Oxford Street experienced its worst blaze in 25 years last week when New Look's store near Tottenham Court Road went up in flames. The blaze is thought to have cost stores £1million in lost trade. Up to 30 fire engines and 150 firefighters were called to the scene to tackle the blaze, which started on April 26 at 7pm. A London Fire Brigade spokesman said the fire was severe and that the fate of the New Look building had not been determined. The fire also affected Marks & Spencer, whi -
Patagonia Footwear bolsters management
Outdoor specialist Patagonia Footwear has appointed Duncan Holme as sales and marketing manager for Patagonia Footwear Europe. Holme joins from Pacific Brands Footwear in Auckland, New Zealand, where he was sales manager for Hush Puppies and Caterpillar. -
Peacocks reveals 'quirky' store blueprint
Value chain Peacocks will unveil its latest store design in Manchester next week, which will be used as the blueprint for its new concept fashion stores. -
Peter Werth shop-in-shop hits House of Fraser
Menswear brand Peter Werth has launched its first shop-in-shop concept at House of Fraser on London’s Oxford Street. The area, which features logo-patterned wallpaper, blue lighting and chrome fittings, will be rolled out to House of Fraser stores in Manchester, Leeds and Victoria in London, as well as Elys of Wimbledon, in the autumn. -
Reiss broadens its pricing as overseas expansion hots up
Reiss is overhauling its price architecture to broaden its appeal, as annual operating profits look set to hit almost £10 million. -
Rose's successors gather at the post
As Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose unveils his new senior team, what does this succession planning mean for the future leadership of M&S? -
Sales rocket at Asos.com
Sales at online retailer Asos.com soared by 116% to £42.6 million for the year to March 31. However, chief executive Nick Robertson said the figure was slightly distorted due to the Buncefield explosion, which hit the group's head office in 2005. The company estimated that the real increase was closer to 80%. Sales for the first four weeks of the current financial year also rocketed, with the retailer reporting a rise of 102%. Asos house broker Richard Ratner of Seymour Pearce said the figure -
Short circuit
Missed out metallics in your spring 07 buy? Never fear, Drapers has come to the rescue with a round up of on-trend pieces, all available for in-season ordering. Spring's spectrum of metallics takes in gold, bronze, pewter and silver, with a scattering of ornate and embellished fabrics -
Spring greens
Drapers quizzes the founders of four eco-friendly clothing labels about the environment, the industry and the future of fashion's green landscape -
Studio 13 clarification
Studio 13, one of the agencies featured in Drapers' Secret Agents feature (April 14), also distributes apres-beachwear label Juliette Dunn across the UK, Republic of Ireland and North America. The brand is stocked in Harrods and Harvey Nichols as well as boutiques around the country. -
Teez the World brings fragrant range to UK
Teez the World, a tops and T-shirts business that infuses garments with aloe vera and fragrance, has launched in the UK, with prices between £6 and £8. It claims unique technology gives the clothes a moisturising feel and a built-in scent that lasts 30 washes. Department stores Jarrolds in Norwich and Creaseys of Guernsey have bought into the range. -
The Drapers fashion fix poll
Every week we ask Drapersblog.com readers their opinion on the question of the week. -
The mother of all fashion problems
A lack of choice from brands means finding clothes for mum is a tough task for Sarah Davidson -
The Original Factory Shop in warehouse move
Value chain The Original Factory Shop will relocate its existing 45,000 sq ft head office and warehouse from West Yorkshire to a 145,000 sq ft facility in Burnley, Lancashire, this weekend. The new site will be able to service more than 200 stores. At present, the chain has 73 shops. -
Was K-Day really worth all the hype?
Most exciting event this week? K-Day, of course. Finally, after what felt like a lifetime spent waiting for the big day, Kate Moss's collection was unveiled at Topshop's flagship store on London's Oxford Street on Monday evening. The lady herself made a brief appearance in the shop window, much to the delight of the hundreds of fans and photographers who'd started to gather at noon that day.
