Is now the time to launch a quality women's footwear factory in the UK?"Talking Business
Talking Business
Spooked into action by ghost town threat
While the situation portrayed in Mary Portas’s recent Save Our Shops TV show on the BBC is endemic in the UK and a serious problem, there are towns that are thriving despite the recession.
Opportunity knocks for UK shoe manufacturing
The UK justifiably has the reputation of producing world-renowned footwear designers whose names are synonymous with stylish, must-have women’s shoes.
Give graduate talent the chance to blossom
This is the fifth year I’ve had the privilege of being the chairman of Graduate Fashion Week and every year I am full of admiration for the fantastic talent emerging from our universities.
Tomorrow’s shoppers will play hard to get
In the past year the global fashion industry has taken a hammering.
Know your customer, know your market
As the new selling season starts, most suppliers are finalising their plans to tempt new and existing buyers into placing orders with their brands rather than the competition.
Anti-consumerists’ sermon is blasphemy
American theatre project Reverend Billy and The Church of Life After Shopping is on tour in the UK this week protesting against consumerism and globalisation. What they’re missing is that trade is a good thing.
The national minimum wage proves its worth
The issue of pay is always emotive and never far from the headlines, whether it is in relation to a banker’s bonus or at the other end of the spectrum - the national minimum wage (NMW).
In a fight for survival, it's who dares wins
The current economic situation is anything but easy, but it does allow for reflection on what is working and what isn’t.
Staff passion makes retail extraordinary
The British Shops and Stores Association (BSSA) is constantly reminding government of the importance of retailing to the UK economy. Of the UK population, 11% work in retail and associated distributive trades, and the industry contributes about 8% of GDP.
The age of excess has had its day
Before the recession and the Baugur debacle the press ran weekly stories about private equity firms buying luxury and fashion brands - from Permira snapping up Hugo Boss and Valentino to 3i acquiring Agent Provocateur.
Online is a beacon of light for retailers
As we’ve seen, online shopping is continuing to be buoyant against a mostly gloomy high street environment.
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Raise your game in face of US invasion
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Supply chain is the vital link to success
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Build stronger links via social networks
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Breaking up is hard to do for tenants
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Indies and brands must work together
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Put digital strategy at top of to-do list
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Opportunities lie in emerging markets
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A free-for-all can pop up your sales
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Use your indicators to turn the corner
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Give shoppers what they actually want
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Keep staff happy to avoid the gloom
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A little paid advice can go a long way
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Be careful to avoid a contract killing
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Cash is king for struggling stores
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With a little help from your friends
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A revamp can keep a store fighting fit
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Westfield scores a last-minute winner
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Keep positive in the credit crunch
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Stand by customers to avoid a collapse
Explore Comment
Editor's Comment
Fashion draws on its creative instincts
In yet another coup for London Fashion Week, one of the most exciting British designers, Jonathan Saunders, has announced he will be joining the growing list of big names to return to the event.
Talking Fashion
Denim makes the cut with one leg in the past
Cyclists are wearing their jeans with extreme turn-ups that expose half the calf. It’s a fresh look with a practical purpose: to keep their denim off the bike chain.
Talking Shop
Criminal behaviour is no open and shut case
It’s not exactly South Central Los Angeles, but Winchester in Hampshire isn’t the crime-free backwater our store would like it to be.
