Drapers
Emily Seares

Emily Seares has worked for Drapers since February 2008. She writes news and features for the magazine and for Drapersonline.com. Her specialist areas of expertise include online/home shopping, value, Next, Aurora Fashions, lingerie, mid-market womenswear, recruitment and logistics/fulfilment. She previously worked at Retail Week. Emily is also the best person to contact about View from the Shop Floor interviews for independent news.

  • Colour takes starring role at this year’s Oscars

    4 March 2011

    Opinion is divided over the impact the red carpet gowns at this year’s Academy Awards will have on mainstream occasionwear sales, as there were clear colour trends but few other innovations with strong commercial appeal.

  • Disgraced John Galliano 'going in to rehab'

    2 March 2011

    Sacked designer John Galliano has been persuaded by friends to go into rehab after being fired by design powerhouse Christian Dior for an alleged anti-Semantic drunken outburst, according to reports.

  • Adidas net income drops 64% in final quarter

    2 March 2011

    Adidas fourth quarter net income fell 64% to € 7million (£5.9 million), compared to € 19 million (£16.1 million) for the same period last year, impacted by higher sales and marketing expenses, according to the company.

  • High street chains design dresses for Glamour magazine

    2 March 2011

    Ten high street womenswear chains including French Connection, Reiss and Warehouse have teamed up with Glamour magazine to create 10 limited edition dresses as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations.

  • Secretsales to relaunch website

    2 March 2011

    Secretsales, the private Sales website, is to relaunch this afternoon with an overhaul of its services including improved navigation, better zoom ability on product imagery and text message delivery service.

  • Supergroup looks to West End for new flagship

    28 February 2011

    Supergroup, the young fashion business which owns the Superdry brand and retailer and young fashion chain Cult, is mulling opening a new flagship store on London’s Oxford Street or Regent Street.

  • Jimmy Choo kick starts sale process

    28 February 2011

    Luxury label Jimmy Choo has issued an information memorandum this morning to more that 10 potential buyers for the business, which is expected to raise up to £500 million.

  • Lions Rampant in Sporting rebrand

    11 February, 2011

    Sports heritage brand Lions Rampant is to be renamed Rampant Sporting and will unveil its new-look logo at trade show Pure Spirit.

  • Core Spirit puts catwalk in first standalone store

    10 February 2011

    Young fashion denim label Core Spirit is to launch its first standalone store in London’s New Bond Street tomorrow - with its own in-store catwalk.

  • Levi’s posts fourth quarter profits leap

    9 February 2011

    Levi Strauss & Co said fourth quarter European sales jumped 4.2% to $300m (£186m), boosted by retail store openings and the launch of the Levi’s Curve ID fit system, which it will roll out to wholesale accounts.

  • Premium sheepskin brand KOS set for UK launch

    9 February 2011

    Manchester agency Red Alert has signed a distribution deal with premium sheepskin boot brand KOS to replace the Ugg Australia brand deal it lost when parent company Deckers took distribution back in house.

  • JD Sports buys majority stake in Kukri Sports

    8 February 2011

    Young fashion giant JD Sports Fashion has bought an 80% stake in Kukri Sports, the bespoke sports kit website, for in excess of £1m.

  • Dockers Rob van der Vis joins Deckers as MD

    8 February 2011

    Dockers commercial director for northern Europe Rob van der Vis is to leave the Levi Strauss Corporation after more than five years, to join Ugg owner Deckers as managing director.

  • Australian chain Myer buys stake in Sass & Bide

    7 February 2011

    Australian department store chain Myer has bought a 65% stake in luxury womenswear label Sass & Bide for AUD42.3m (£26.5m).

  • Ireland’s woes continue as womenswear sales slide

    4 February, 2011

    Womenswear retailers in the Republic of Ireland suffered a slump in sales in the last quarter of 2010 due to increased price competition, strong comparatives and dwindling consumer confidence.

  • Jimmy Choo profits rise 200%

    31 January 2011

    Luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo has posted a 200% uplift in profits despite falling sales, according to accounts filed at Companies House.

  • Jacobson Group owner hands over the reins after 30 years

    28 January 2011

    Jacobson Group owner Harvey Jacobson will step back from the day-to-day running of the footwear supply business in the summer after 30 years in charge, to focus on strategy and new ventures.

  • Jaeger to present exclusive catwalk show with Vodafone for LFW

    24 January 2011

    Jaeger has teamed up with Vodafone for an exclusive catwalk show for Vodafone customers to present its current Jaeger London spring 11 collection during London Fashion Week.

  • All Saints boss ordered to pay up £1.3m

    24 January 2011

    Retail entrepreneur Kevin Stanford has been forced by a court in Iceland to repay a £1.3m personal guarantee he gave to secure finance for his investment portfolio.

  • Accessorize in nail bomber threat

    13 January 2011

    Police have cordoned off Regents Arcade house, in Oxford Circus in London, after a man broke into Accessorize on Regent Street last night and threatened to blow himself up.

  • Tributes as Faith founder Samuel ‘Sigi’ Faith dies

    26 November 2010

    ‘Remarkable’ man behind the women’s footwear chain remembered by family, friends and colleagues.

  • J Crew sold for £1.9bn to private equity firms

    23 November 2010

    J Crew, the American casualwear brand, has been sold to private equity firms TPG Capital and Leonard Green & Partners for $3bn (£1.9bn).

  • Anya Hindmarch replaces Hilary Riva at BFC

    22 November 2010

    Designer Anya Hindmarch has joined The British Fashion Council (BFC) as a non-executive director.

  • George Davies to focus on wholesale for GIVe

    22 November 2010

    George Davies, the man behind Next, Per Una and George at Asda, has said he will turn womenswear chain GIVe in to a wholesale brand and is poised to launch kidswear chain FG4 in the UK.

  • Barbour to launch capsule line with Alice Temperley

    9 November 2010

    Outerwear brand Barbour has partnered with premium British brand Alice Temperley to launch a womenswear range for autumn 11.

  • Christian Louboutin to open 11 stores next year

    9 November 2010

    Luxury label Christian Louboutin is set to open 11 new stores worldwide next year, as part of an ongoing strategy to drive retail sales.

  • VIDEO: TK Maax Christmas Ad

    8 November 2010

    Off-price retailer TK Maax is to launch its Christmas TV ad campaign tonight.

  • Jackson 5 to launch fashion line

    8 November 2010

    Pop group The Jackson 5 are set to launch a fashion line for spring 11, called J5 Collection, inspired by iconic outfits from their pop career.

  • Channel 4 documentary to expose "British sweatshops"

    8 November 2010

    Value fashion chains New Look and Peacocks are to come under scrutiny this evening, in a Channel 4 documentary which claims to expose “dangerous, pressurised sweatshop conditions” in British garment factories.

  • Nike opens its biggest store in London

    8 November 2010

    Sportswear giant Nike has redesigned and reopened its flagship Niketown Oxford Circus store in London, making it the world’s largest Nike store.

  • Expansion drive puts Apricot on course for £40m turnover

    5 November 2010

    Women’s young fashion retailer Apricot is on track to increase sales by 250% from £13.5m to £40m in the year to February 28, 2011, after opening a string of concessions and standalone stores.

  • Ted Baker to launch online styling project

    3 November 2010

    Premium brand and retailer Ted Baker is to collaborate with top US fashion bloggers to launch live styling sessions on its website this week.

  • Anthropologie to open Edinburgh store

    1 November 2010

    US womenswear and homeware giant Anthropologie is to open its first UK store outside of London next summer, in a three-storey site on Edinburgh’s George Street.

  • Etailers set for Vogue's Fashion Night In

    1 November 2010

    Vogue is to launch its online fashion event Vogue’s Fashion’s Night In tonight, with discounts and special promotions at a raft of etailers for one night only.

  • Drome co-founder opens men’s store

    8 October 2010

    Tim Keating, co-founder of Liverpool mini-chain Drome, has returned to the city’s retail scene with the opening of a menswear store called Weavers Door.

  • Paris Fashion Week: Chloe, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurent

    5 October 2010

    Chloe designer Hannah MacGibbon re-visted her girlie side in Paris yesterday with a dancewear-inspired collection of light, breezy, minimalist pieces for spring ’11.

  • Paris Fashion Week: Celine, John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier

    4 October 2010

    Phoebe Philo at Celine was one of the hottest tickets in town in Paris on Sunday and her minimalist, utility-chic spring 11 show did not disappoint.

  • Austin Reed to open private members club

    4 October 2010

    Menswear chain Austin Reed is to launch a private members club called The Q Club, based in its Regent Street store, as part of celebrations for its 110 year anniversary.

  • American Apparel amends loan deal

    1 October 2010

    US chain American Apparel has re-negotiated the terms of a loan agreement with its lender Lion Capital, but will have to significantly boost profitability over the next three years to keep in with the terms of the new deal.

  • Oliver Sweeney opens first Manchester store

    1 October 2010

    British heritage brand Oliver Sweeney is to open its second store outside of London, in a new site located on Manchester’s Hardman Street.

  • Suppliers pay tribute to Questa owner Jonathan Wells

    17 September 2010

    Suppliers have paid tribute to Jonathan Wells, the owner of premium womenswear independent Questa, based in Cobham, Surrey, after he tragically drowned in an accident off the Spanish coast of the Costa del Sol last week.

  • New York Fashion Week: Proenza Schouler, Michael Kors

    16 September 2010

    Proenza Schouler served up a feast of tie-dye in their spring 11 show on the penultimate day of New York Fashion Week yesterday. 

  • VIDEO: Michael Bastian launches first womenswear collection for Gant

    16 September 2010

    New York menswear designer Michael Bastian is to launch his first ever womenswear collection for Swedish lifestyle brand Gant in spring 11.

  • H&M launches transactional website

    10 September 2010

    Swedish fashion giant H&M has launched its first ever transactional website to the public today, with the strap line ‘UK will never sleep again.’

  • Back-to-school record for class of 2010

    10 September 2010

    Supermarket chains Tesco and Asda have reported their best ever back-to-school season after aggressive price promotions and design tweaks to schoolwear ranges helped drive sales.

  • Burgeoning Eveden expands head office

    10 September 2010

    Lingerie brand house Eveden has invested £50,000 in a head office and warehouse expansion as it prepares for growth after strong spring 11 orders.

  • Portugal’s Lanidor plans UK assault

    10 September 2010

    Portuguese contemporary womenswear and lifestyle brand Lanidor has set its sights on sales of more than £8m in the UK within the next three years following its wholesale launch for spring 11.

  • Burberry to launch ‘Runway to Reality’ in-store event during LFW

    9 September 2010

    Luxury British heritage brand Burberry will stream its London Fashion Week catwalk live to its 25 global flagship stores on September 21 and allow shoppers to place immediate orders from the collection with a seven week delivery.

  • Net-a-Porter appoints Mr Porter editor-in-chief

    8 September 2010

    Designer e-tailer Net-a-porter has appointed former Esquire editor Jeremy Langmead as editor-in-chief of its new menswear site Mr Porter, due to launch in January.

  • Tonight: Vogue's Fashion's Night Out

    8 September 2010

    Excitement is mounting for Vogue’s Fashion’s Night Out 2010, which takes place in London’s West End tonight.

  • Lily Allen opens fashion boutique in Selfridges

    8 September 2010

    Singer Lily Allen has launched a temporary shop-in-shop in Selfridges’ Wonder Room Concept Store to showcase her new designer rental and boutique shop Lucy in Disguise.

  • Sarah Curran

    05 September 2009

    On the back of impressive year-on-year sales the My-Wardrobe co-founder has bold plans to push the online possibilities and expand the premium etailer into a lifestyle business

  • John Smedley

    15 August 2009

    The 225-year-old luxury knitwear brand’s shopfit in London pays tribute to its Derbyshire mill.

  • Delmod International rescued from administration

    31 July 2009

    Hamburg-based private equity firm Hanse Industrie Capital has rescued Delmod International, which owns the German womenswear brands Delmod and Hirsch, from administration.

  • Escada improves bond exchange offer

    30 July 2009

    Escada, the German luxury womenswear group, has improved its exchange offer for bondholders and extended its deadline, as it tries to raise cash for the business.

  • Shop Direct Group trading director exits

    30 July 2009

    UPDATED: Shop Direct Group’s trading director David Inglis has left the business as part of a management overhaul.

  • Oli drops paper marketing

    29 July 2009

    Oli, the online fashion retailer, has axed all of its paper marketing including its bi-monthly magazine to focus on becoming a pure-play womenswear etailer.

  • Delmod International in administration

    29 July 2009

    German womenswear firm Delmod International, the parent company behind womenswear brands Delmod and Hirsch, has fallen into administration.

  • Vente-Privee sales rocket 40%

    27 July 2009

    Vente-Privee, the French owned private Sale website, notched up a 40% sales increase to £290 million in the first half of 2009, as bargain-hungry shoppers continued to look for discounts.

  • Jens Eilhardt

    25 July 2009

    German brand Basler consistently keeps the mainstream womenswear tills ringing. Its managing director for product and design hopes its new contemporary MYBC sub-brand can do the same

  • Retailers to discount through to 2010

    22 July 2009

    UK retailers are likely to continue discounting right through to the first half of 2010, according to a report by PricewaterhouseCoopers [PwC].

  • Asda says UK families £12 a week better off

    21 July 2009

    UK families were £12 a week better off a week in June compared to last year, as low interest rates and the resulting lower mortgage payments left people with more free cash, according to Asda’s income tracker.

  • Tesco signs up Venda for fashion website

    20 July 2009

    The UK’s biggest retailer Tesco has signed up Venda, the e-commerce solutions expert, to launch its fashion website this autumn.

  • Shop Direct to follow up Very with younger brand

    18 July 2009

    Home-shopping giant Shop Direct Group plans to launch another online brand and has unveiled a sales target of £500m for its newly launched Very website.

  • Womenswear’s plus points

    17 July 2009

    Evans’ tie-up with singer Beth Ditto shows how the plus-size womenswear market is targeting younger shoppers

  • Online fashion sales slow in June

    17 July 2009

    Online clothing, footwear and accessories sales fell 1% in June, compared to May, but showed a 22% increase year-on-year.

  • Refinancing deal imminent at La Senza

    17 July 2009

    La Senza’s private equity owner Lion Capital is understood to be close to agreeing a refinancing deal with its main creditor GSO Capital Partners and is pressing ahead with plans to return the lingerie chain to its original values - fashion lingerie for all ages.

  • George launches school uniform quality promise

    15 July 2009

    George at Asda is introducing a 100-day money-back guarantee on its school uniforms in a bid to put one over its rivals in the school uniform war.

  • Paul Marchant could lead Primark from September

    14 July 2009

    Primark managing director Arthur Ryan is reportedly planning to step down in September and hand over the day-to-day running of the business to chief operating officer Paul Marchant.

  • New Look snaps up Borders flagship

    14 July 2009

    New Look is understood to be in the process of taking over five stores being disposed of by Borders UK, including the book chain’s flagship store on London’s Oxford Street.

  • Escada in talks with insolvency experts

    13 July 2009

    German womenswear brand Escada may cease to trade as it teeters on the brink of insolvency, according to its chairman Bruno Saelzer.

  • Asos to launch international etail sites

    11 July 2009

    Asos chief executive Nick Robertson has outlined his plans to launch dedicated standalone websites in the US, France and Germany after revealing international sales will reach more than £40 million this year - equivalent to Asos’s total turnover just two years ago.

  • Beth Ditto collection hits Evans stores

    9 July 2009

    A small throng of excited shoppers descended on the Evans flagship store in London’s Oxford Street this morning for the launch of curvaceous singer Beth Ditto’s range for the plus-size retailer.

  • Sir Philip Green cautious on autumn trading

    7 July 2009

    Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green is cautious about trading in the final quarter of 2009 and is concerned about how shoppers will react to price increases this autumn.

  • N Brown sales rise 5.1%

    7 July 2009

    Home shopping giant N Brown posted a 5.1% uplift in sales for the 18 weeks to July 4, boosted by warm weather and strong sales in both men’s and women’s wear.

  • London Fashion Network to host networking event for online trading

    6 July 2009

    The London Fashion Network will hold the last in its series of Trading Online networking events on July 9, focusing on trading online and how to turn surfers into shoppers.

  • Austique, London

    4 July 2009

    Australian-inspired womenswear boutique Austique is celebrating its five-year anniversary this year, and with a sales uplift of 10% and the launch of an own label two years ago, it has plenty to celebrate.

  • Karen Millen appoints international boss

    26 June 2009

    Aurora Fashions has appointed Simon Gaffey, the former merchandise director of the now-defunct Principles chain, as international director of its Karen Millen chain.

  • Intimas Group shares suspended

    25 June 2009

    Lingerie firm Intimas Group, which owns brands such as Lepel and Charnos, has had its shares suspended after the firm told the stock market it would not be in a position to publish its full year results by its June 30 deadline.

  • Relaunch of Ladybird + analysis

    25 June 2009

    Shop Direct Group has relaunched kidswear brand Ladybird today via its new www.woolworths.co.uk venture.

  • Ultimo scoops top gong at Scottish Fashion Awards

    22 June 2009

    Ultimo was named Retailer of the Year 2009 at the fourth annual Scottish Fashion Awards last night.

  • Hobbs reveals NW3 store plans

    19 June 2009

    Hobbs has outlined plans to open up to 60 standalone stores and launch a wholesale collection for NW3, its new contemporary sub-brand due to launch in September.

  • Karen Millen director joins property firm

    19 June 2009

    Aurora Fashions’ international director for Karen Millen, Sanjay Sharma, is leaving the fashion group to head up a new venture for property group Land Securities, which aims to help international retailers open stores in the UK.

  • Alexon posts 12% drop in like-for-likes

    17 June 2009

    Alexon Group, which owns womenswear brands Eastex and Kaliko, posted a 12% fall in like-for-like sales for the 19 weeks to June 13 and warned short-term performance over the summer would also be hit by earlier Sale dates.

  • Tesco clothing posts like-for-like growth in first quarter

    16 June 2009

    Tesco’s clothing sales returned to like-for-like growth for the 13 weeks to May 30, after strong kidswear sales and extra Clubcard promotions encouraged spending on fashion.

  • Hobbs appoints ex-Principles retail director

    15 June 2009

    Hobbs has appointed Alana Mazza as retail director. Mazza was previously retail trading director at Principles.

  • George fires first shot in back-to-school war

    13 June 2009

    George at Asda has kicked off the fierce back-to-school price war earlier than ever this year.

  • Knickers in a twist

    12 June 2009

    Lingerie brands that cut costs and fail to innovate are falling foul of increased competition and the perils of the recession

  • Whitepeak Group launches new website

    11 June 2009

    Recruitment firm Whitepeak Group has relaunched its website this week as part of its birthday celebrations.

  • Tesco boss Leahy says recession is time of opportunity

    11 June 2009

    Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy has urged retailers to make the most of business opportunities in the recession.

  • George at Asda kicks off Back to School sales war

    10 June 2009

    George at Asda is launching its Back to School range in stores tomorrow, its earliest ever launch date, with a one-price-fits-all strategy for 3-16 year olds.

  • Gap like-for-like sales drop 7% in May

    4 June 2009

    Gap’s international like -for-like sales, which include the UK, dropped 7% for the four weeks to May 30.

  • Interest rate held at 0.5%

    4 June 2009

    The Bank of England has held interest rates at 0.5% for the third month in a row.

  • Slimma pre-tax profits slump 95%

    3 June 2009

    Womenswear supplier Slimma, which owns Frank Usher and Peter Martin, saw pre-tax profits plummet 95% to £2,000 in the 26 weeks to April 3. The supply group also said it planned to close is private label supply business.

  • JJB Sports confirms refinancing details

    3 June 2009

    JJB Sports has announced details of its refinancing following its Company Voluntary Agreement which it completed last week.

  • Empora shopping portal launches online

    2 June 2009

    Pixsta, the UK-based image search company, has launched an online shopping portal carrying more than 1,000 fashion brands and retailers.

  • Ted Baker lingerie license terminated

    2 June 2009

    Ted Baker has ended its lingerie licencing agreement with Intimas Group by mutual agreement.

  • Alexon like-for-like sales fall 10.5%

    1 June 2009

    Alexon Group revealed like-for-like sales dropped 10.5% in the 14 weeks to May 23 in its annual financial report, which was published today.

  • Traffic People, London

    30 May 2009

    Its owner’s theatrical background sets the stage for this store’s tongue-in-cheek product

  • Tesco online to launch Asos-style site

    29 May 2009

    Tesco, the UK’s biggest retailer, has confirmed it will aim to emulate an Asos-style website with ‘get the look’ and celebrity-endorsement features when it relaunches its transactional clothing operation later this year.

  • Adili misses market expecations

    27 May 2009

    Ethical etailer Adili has warned that full year EBITDA will come in below expectations, after investment in a new web platform and increased discounting dented margins.

  • Discounting slows etail growth

    23 May 2009

    Heavy discounting on the high street and poor customer service dented online fashion sales in April, according to mail-order specialists.

  • Reiss unveils its vision for 1971 brand

    22 May 2009

    Premium chain Reiss unveiled its younger, edgier sub-brand 1971 Reiss this week, which will see it go head to head with the likes of All Saints and French Connection and help it capture new shoppers.

  • Rinku Group acquires 45 Bay Trading stores

    19 May 2009

    Bay Trading administrator Deloitte has confirmed the sale of 45 stores to high street supplier Rinku Group, less than a third of the young fashion chain’s total store count.

  • TK Maxx profits rocket in first quarter

    19 May 2009

    The European division of TJX Companies, which operates UK discount chain TK Maxx, saw comparable sales rise 6% in the 13 weeks to May 2 and profits jump 42% to $15.5 million (£10m).

  • Burberry profits plunge 12.5%

    19 May 2009

    Burberry saw profit before tax dip 12.5% to £175 million for the year to March 31 because of the economic slowdown, but sales passed the £1 billion barrier for the first time.

  • Rinku Group expands with Bay Trading rescue deal

    18 May 2009

    Rinku Loomba, managing director of high street supplier Rinku Group, which also owns concession business Tigi-Wear, said today’s rescue of Bay Trading marked the group’s first entry into the young fashion market.

  • Next results spark hope for economy

    9 May 2009

    Next chief executive Simon Wolfson gave the strongest indication yet that the country was heading out of recession and into a stabilisation period at the retailer’s first-quarter results this week, which were better than forecast.

  • Poland launch is next on TK Maxx’s European radar

    9 May 2009

    Off-price retailer TK Maxx is planning to launch in Poland this year as it embarks on an expansion trail across Europe.

  • Asda slams M&S larger bra charges

    6 May 2009

    Asda has hit out at high street giant M&S for insisting on a £2 surcharge on bras sized DD above, despite protests that M&S is putting a tax on women with larger busts.

  • Next chief Wolfson says economy stabilising

    6 May 2009

    UPDATED: Next chief executive Simon Wolfson has given the strongest indication yet that the economy is stabilising after the retailer recorded a like-for-like sales fall of just 2.3% for the 14 weeks ended May 2 - well ahead of management estimates that sales would fall between 6% and 9% in the first half.

  • Adidas issues profit warning

    5 May 2009

    German sportswear giant Adidas, which also owns the Reebok brand, has issued a profit warning after it was hit by rising costs on top of falling sales.

  • Bright colours, slim fits lift young fashion indies

    2 May 2009

    Slim silhouettes and bold primary colours have boosted sales for young fashion independents this season.

  • Olivia Rubin

    2 May 2009

    Womenswear designer Olivia Rubin tells Emily Seares why business acumen is just as important as design credentials

  • Tesco eyes young fashion labels for web

    2 May 2009

    Tesco, the UK’s biggest retailer, has stepped up its assault on the branded young fashion market, putting brands such as Firetrap, Fred Perry, Fullcircle, Ben Sherman, Gio-Goi and Lambretta at the top of its wish list for its new clothing website.

  • Jacques Vert womenswear boss quits

    28 April 2009

    Shena MacDonald, Jacques Vert’s managing director for womenswear, has resigned from the business with immediate effect.

  • O’Neill appoints new chief executive

    28 April 2009

    O’Neill has appointed Jan Valdmaa as chief executive of the global boardsports brand. He replaces interim chief executive Tom Heidman.

  • Ethical fashion design competition launches

    28 April 2009

    The Ethical Fashion Forum has launched a design competition called Innovation, aimed at young ethical fashion designers or businesses.

  • Adili confirms management changes

    27 April 2009

    Ethical etailer Adili has confirmed that Caroline Gitsham has been appointed product director with immediate effect while non-executive directors Sim Scavazza and Christopher Powles have stepped down from the company.

  • Next summer ad campaign to debut tonight

    24 April 2009

    High street giant Next launches its summer television ad campaign tonight around ITV soap Coronation Street.

  • H&M launches Matthew Williamson collection

    23 April 2009

    Hundreds of frenzied shoppers descended on H&M’s Oxford Circus store in London like locust this morning, eager to get their hands on a the Matthew Williamson collaboration.

  • Bay Trading hampers Alexon Group

    22 April 2009

    Alexon Group saw pre-tax profits before exceptional items fall 79% to £3.5 million for the 53 weeks to January 31 after young fashion chain Bay Trading put in an abysmal performance.

  • London Fashion Network to host event on counterfeiting

    22 April 2009

    The London Fashion Network is to host a panel discussion on counterfeiting tomorrow evening.

  • Burberry wholesale sales slide

    21 April 2009

    Burberry’s revenue rose 2% on an underlying basis and grew by 21% to £663 million for the six months ended March 31 but the luxury brand warned that wholesale sales would slide further in the next six months.

  • Tesco's full-year fashion sales fall

    21 April 2009

    Like-for-like clothing sales at Britain’s biggest retailer Tesco slid 2% for 53 weeks to February 28, as consumers cut back on discretionary spending.

  • Online clothing sales soar 26% in March

    18 April 2009

    Online clothing, footwear and accessories sales rocketed 26% in March, compared to the previous year, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

  • Littlewoods begins European journey

    18 April 2009

    Littlewoods Direct will make its first foray into Europe this summer with the launch of its site in France, Spain, Portugal and Germany. Text on the European site will initially be in English, but the trial could pave the way for language-specific sites.

  • Fashion sales rise 10.5% for week to April 12

    17 April 2009

    Fashion sales rose 10.5% for the week to April 12 compared to the same week last year, according to BDO Stoy Hayward’s High Street Sales Tracker.

  • Footasylum, London

    17 April 2009

    The footwear retailer turns heads with Victorian asylum imagery and echoes of George Orwell’s 1984

  • H&M like-for-like sales fall 3% in March

    15 April 2009

    H&M’s like-for-like sales slid 3% in March compared to the previous year, an improvement on February’s drop of 8%.

  • Cavalli renews licensing deal with Ittierre

    7 April 2009

    Italian fashion house Roberto Cavalli has renewed its worldwide licensing agreement for its diffusion line Just Cavalli with the financially beleaguered manufacturing and licensing firm Ittierre.

  • Landlords set to cut service charges

    6 April 2009

    Landlords are on the brink of reaching a deal with retailers which could slash service charges by 20%, saving businesses millions of pounds a year in bills.

  • Laura Ashley negotiates price cuts with suppliers

    4 April 2009

    Fashion-to-furnishings business Laura Ashley is asking suppliers to lower their prices to help mitigate the impact of the weak sterling

  • Fashion sales dip in March

    3 April 2009

    Fashion like-for-like sales fell 1.1% in March, despite the overall upward trend in retail sales for the month, but the good weather boosted demand for spring clothing and footwear.

  • My-Wardrobe appoints chairman

    2 April 2009

    My-Wardrobe.com, which celebrates its 3rd anniversary this month, has appointed former banking boss Jean-Marc Bouhelier as chairman,

  • John Lewis axes marketing director

    1 April 2009

    John Lewis marketing director Gill Barr has been made redundant as part of a wider shake up of the department store’s management team.

  • Government delays 5% business rate rise

    31 March 2009

    Businesses have been given more time to pay the 5% business rate rise, under a new scheme announced by the government today.

  • Berwin & Berwin expands Paul Costelloe range

    31 March 2009

    Suit supplier Berwin & Berwin has extended its Paul Costelloe menswear line to include an extra collection for spring 2010, following the successful launch of its first Paul Costelloe menswear line for spring 08.

  • Debenhams shares fall as HSBC offloads stake

    31 March 2009

    Shares in Debenhams have fallen after HSBC announced the sale of a 13% stake in the retailer on behalf of an undisclosed client, reported to be the collapsed Icelandic investment fund Baugur.

  • Consumer confidence on the rise

    31 March 2009

    Consumer confidence is at its highest since last May, following interest rates cuts and lower household bills, according to the GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index.

  • Agent Provocateur vows to double its store count

    28 March 2009

    Luxury lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur wants to double the size of its portfolio to more than 100 stores and concessions in the next three years, as it looks to boost its international presence and expand into new markets.

  • Retail Rehab website offers help for indies

    28 March 2009

    Independent retailer Rachel Parkin has launched Retail Rehab, a website giving support and advice to indies on how to tackle the challenges they face in the recession.

  • Woolies’ fall gives kids’ stores a lift

    28 March 2009

    Kidswear retailers are reporting a major boost in sales following the collapse of Woolworths’ kidswear brand Ladybird and its value offer Worthit!, which are thought to have generated sales of about £250 million annually.

  • Sainsbury's grows clothing market share

    25 March 2009

    Sainsbury’s said it had continued to grow its clothing market share in the fourth quarter as like-for-like sales at the supermarket rose by 6.2% for the 11 weeks to March 21.

  • Musto launches online store

    24 March 2009

    Lifestyle brand Musto, a favourite with sailing champion Ellen MacArthur, has launched a transactional website www.musto.com.

  • Kaupthing takes over Kevin Stanford's Mulberry shares

    19 March 2009

    Kaupthing Bank Luxembourg, a subsidiary of the Icelandic bank, is understood to have taken over Kevin Stanford’s 25.4% stake in Mulberry.

  • Moss Bros appoints Brian Brick as chief executive

    19 March 2009

    Moss Bros has appointed interim chief executive Brian Brick as its permanent chief executive.

  • Hugo Boss taps London College of Fashion for design talent

    19 March 2009

    Hugo Boss is scouring the London College of Fashion for a design student who will win a year-long internship at the brand’s accessories headquarters in Coldrerio, Switzerland.

  • Beales like-for-like sales drop 4.5%

    19 March 2009

    Beales’s like-for-like sales fell 4.5% in the 19 weeks to March 14, after the snow in February severely hampered trade.

  • Tesco unveils face of Diamond Boutique lingerie

    18 March 2009

    Tesco has announced Jessica Taylor, star of the TV series Dancing On Ice, as the new face of its Diamond Boutique premium lingerie range which is designed by Michelle Mone founder of lingerie firm MJM International.

  • Fi Lovett

    14 March 2009

    Drapers probes leading independents to get their View from the Shop Floor.

  • Lingerie store is next assignment for model

    14 March 2009

    A luxurious new lingerie boutique called Apartment C is set to open in London at the end of the month.

  • All Saints agrees financial restructuring deal

    13 March 2009

    All Saints has been saved from insolvency after the collapsed Icelandic banks that backed it agreed on a financial restructuring, according to reports.

  • Fashion sales dip 2.4%

    13 March 2009

    Fashion sales declined 2.4% in the week to March 8 compared to the previous week. However, young fashion was more resilient than the rest of the sector, according to figures from BDO Stoy Hayward.

  • Baugur "disappointed" by bankruptcy decision

    12 March 2009

    The District Court of Reykjavik has refused Baugur Group’s petition for an extension of the moratorium of the company, forcing it to file for bankruptcy.

  • George at Asda announces fashion student winners

    12 March 2009

    George at Asda has announced a group of fashion design students from Nottingham Trent University as the winners of its menswear design competition.

  • Bunty Stokes leaves Brand Alley

    12 March 2009

    Bunty Stokes, sales and merchandising director at discount etailer BrandAlley has left the company.

  • La Perla poised to announce new chief executive

    11 March 2009

    Lingerie brand La Perla has reportedly appointed Alain Prost, currently general director at lingerie business Chantelle Group, as chief executive. An announcement is expected later today.

  • Dawson puts Todd & Duncan cashmere up for sale

    11 March 2009

    Manufacturer Dawson International, the yarn spinning firm which suppliers brands such as Gucci, Prada and Louis Vuitton, has put its cashmere business Todd & Duncan up for sale.

  • Peacocks restructures head office team

    9 March 2009

    Value fashion chain Peacocks has appointed Jane Hotz as womenswear buying director as part of a wider restructuring at head office.

  • Joules, Cheltenham

    7 March 2009

    Shoppers can experience a sense of domestic bliss at Joules’ English country home-themed flagship store

  • Primark acts on unethical suppliers

    6 March 2009

    Value fashion retailer Primark has appointed Katherine Kirk to the newly created role of ethical trading director, as it battles to shake off the negative publicity surrounding its supply chain in recent months.

  • Freemans owner confirms job cuts, but looks to future

    5 March 2009

    Home shopping firm Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH), formerly known as Otto UK, has confirmed more than 1,000 jobs will go at the company as part of a cost cutting drive designed to put the business in a stronger position to trade through the recession.

  • Shoe Studio sale to Dune confirmed

    4 March 2009

    Dune has rescued The Shoe Studio Group, creating a £150 million footwear business, as predicted by Drapersonline.com March 3.

  • Barclays launches initiative to help UK retailers

    4 March 2009

    Barclays Commercial Bank has launched a new initiative called The Turning the Corner programme, to help UK retail businesses through the recession.

  • Austin Reed to roll out hire departments

    3 March 2009

    Austin Reed is to roll out its formal hire service in association with Etiquette Hire to a further 29 stores this month.

  • Elvi in administration

    2 March 2009

    Plus-size womenswear chain Elvi has gone into administration for the second time in just over a year.

  • Adili reshuffles boardroom

    28 February 2009

    Ethical fashion website Adili plans to drive sales of its own-label product, after appointing Caroline Gitsham as product director as part of a wider boardroom shake-up.

  • EMU Australia appoints CEO for Europe

    26 February 2009

    Footwear brand EMU Australia has appointed former VF Corporation executive Andy Knowles as chief executive of Europe, to lead the company through its next international growth phase.

  • Mosaic Fashions prepares pre-pack administration

    26 February 2009

    Mosaic Fashions is preparing a pre-pack administration for its Oasis, Karen Millen, Warehouse and Coast chains.

  • Retail bosses to lobby government over rate rises

    25 February 2009

    The UK’s largest store groups have united to urge the Government to reverse plans to push through significant rate rises that will add tens of millions of pounds to retailers’ annual costs.

  • Sir Philip Green to merge Bhs with Arcadia

    25 February 2009

    Sir Philip Green is understood to be merging his Bhs and Arcadia empires in an attempt to streamline the businesses and cut costs.

  • N Brown strengthens board

    24 February 2009

    Home shopping firm N Brown has appointed Ivan Fallon, a director for Independent News & Media, to the role of deputy chairman, and broadcast journalist Anna Ford as a non-executive director.

  • At last!!

    24 February 2009

    The men’s Oscar outfits have stepped up to the mark, with a nod to old-school Hollywood glamour that was so sorely missed from the women’s offer.

  • Young fashion indie in hunt for star apprentice

    24 February 2009

    Independent retailer Ashley Ali has launched a competition inspired by BBC2 series The Apprentice to find a trainee to shadow him for six months as he looks to expand his six-store young fashion business.

  • Emily Seares, news reporter

    23 February 2009

    The Brit’s wiped the floor with awards on Oscar night, but sadly the array of dresses on display from stars both here and across the pond failed to dazzle.

  • Autumn 09 mainstream womenswear

    21 February 2009

    Autumn 09’s mainstream womenswear collections are defined by a vibrant mix of colour, print and design-led details.

  • Oasis launches magazine

    20 February 2009

    High street chain Oasis has launched an in house magazine called the ‘O Collection,’ to coincide with the start of London Fashion Week.

  • Asos launches kidswear

    20 February 2009

    Online giant Asos has launched branded kidswear online today.

  • Product overhaul still on Adams Kids’ agenda

    19 February 2009

    John Shannon, the former owner of the Adams Kids chain, who rescued a slimmed-down version of the kidswear business last week, will press ahead with his strategy to create a “Topshop for kids” and will look to open 10 shopping-centre stores.

  • Retail will remain tough beyond 2009

    19 February 2009

    Britain’s leading retail bosses are predicting that tough trade will last at least through 2009, with many saying they do not expect the market to revive until the end of next year.

  • London Fashion Week prepares for 25th birthday

    19 February 2009

    London Fashion Week will celebrate its 25th birthday when it opens tomorrow.

  • Online clothing sales rise 32% in January

    17 February 2009

    Online spending rose 19% in January, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index, with clothing and accessories sales online soaring by 32%.

  • Mosaic Fashions confirms Principles approaches

    16 February 2009

    Mosaic Fashions has confirmed it has received a number of approaches for its Principles chain (as revealed exclusively by Drapersonline.com January 29) and said it was considering the offers as part of wider restructuring discussions with its bank Kaupthing.

  • Laura Ashley co-founder Sir Bernard Ashley dies

    16 February 2009

    Sir Bernard Ashley, the husband and business partner of Laura Ashley, who co-founded the eponymous fashion-to-furnishings retailer, has died at the age of 82.

  • Steve Robinson

    14 February 2009

    Its chief executive has overseen M and M Direct’s metamorphosis from a discount branded sportswear catalogue retailer into one of the UK’s most successful fashion etailers

  • Austin Reed has expansion plans for rescued Viyella

    13 February 2009

    Austin Reed is looking to expand Viyella with new store openings, after rescuing the classic womenswear retailer from administration last week.

  • Alexon revamps brands

    13 February 2009

    Alexon Group’s womenswear brands have been completely overhauled for spring by chief executive Jane McNally who joined the business last June.

  • Whistles unveils spring 09 collection

    10 February 2009

    Whistles has unveiled its spring 09 collection - its second collection under chief executive Jane Shepherdson.

  • Exhibitors positive at opening of Pure London

    9 February 2009

    Exhibitors at Pure London were pleased with overall levels of business on opening day yesterday, with serious buyers making their way to the womenswear show in spite of the recession and the adverse weather conditions.

  • Austin Reed rescues 37 Viyella outlets

    6 February 2009

    Viyella will continue to trade from 21 standalones and 16 concessions after it was rescued from administration by Austin Reed on Friday.

  • Kcaj secures restructuring deal

    5 February 2009

    Icelandic investment fund Kcaj, which has stakes in Jones Bootmaker, Mountain Warehouse, Cruise and Duchamp, has agreed a restructuring deal with its creditors to prevent it from falling into administration.

  • Whistles secures new funding

    3 February 2009

    Whistles, the womenswear chain run by Jane Sheperdson and part-owned by Baugur, has secured new financing.

  • Alizari, Chester

    31 January 2009

    The award-winning womenswear retailer’s country house shopfit takes full advantage of its Grade 1-listed site

  • Camille Lorigo

    31 January 2009

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View from the Shop Floor.

  • New UK concept planned in Freemans Grattan overhaul

    31 January 2009

    Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH), the home-shopping firm formerly known as Otto UK, plans to launch a new concept in the UK this year as part of a massive restructuring and overhaul of the business.

  • Entrepreneur Pearce tells his rag-to-riches story

    24 January 2009

    Retail entrepreneur Jeff Pearce has unveiled his rags-to-riches tale in the fashion business in his autobiography called My Mother’s Son.

  • Gavin Colwill

    24 January 2009

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View from the Shop Floor.

  • N Brown targets Germany

    24 January 2009

    Home shopping giant N Brown is planning to secure 10% of its total sales from international markets in the next three years, following the launch of its plus-size brand Simply Be in Germany next month.

  • Retailers could gain rent cuts as troubled businesses close two in five shops

    23 January 2009

    Financially troubled retailers have been closing more than two in five stores as the high street comes under increasing pressure from a UK recession.

  • UK in recession as December retail sales value drops

    22 January 2009

    The UK is now officially in recession for the first time since 1991, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which also revealed that retail sales values dropped during December.

  • Kcaj to stave off administration

    22 January 2009

    Icelandic investment fund Kcaj, which has a majority stake in Cruise and Duchamp, is on the brink of a deal with creditors to stave off administration.

  • Industry experts host trend master class

    22 January 2009

    Industry experts, including WGSN senior trend consultant and former Topshop head of design Jane Kellock, are set to host a trend master class next week, in association with the London Fashion Network.

  • Annabel Gatward

    17 January 2009

    Showcasing new designers is a priority for Annabel Gatward, founder of lingerie etailer Glamorous Amorous, as Emily Seares learns.

  • East eyes Asian markets

    17 January 2009

    Womenswear retailer East said it would target emerging markets after Indian retailer Fabindia bought a 25% stake in the business.

  • Maxine Thornton

    17 January 2009

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View from the Shop Floor.

  • Fat Face EBITDA drops, but sales up

    15 January 2009

    EBITDA at lifestyle brand Fat Face fell 4.1% to £11.8 million for the 26 weeks to November 29, and the company predicted the next six months would become ‘more challenging’.

  • Clothing helps boost online spend to £4.67bn in December

    15 January 2009

    UK shoppers spent more than £4.67 billion online in December, up 14.2% on last year, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

  • N Brown like-for-likes soar 8.8%

    15 January 2009

    Home shopping giant N Brown posted a like-for-like sales uplift of 8.8% in the 19 weeks to January 10, boosted by strong demand across all product categories.

  • Viyella closes House of Fraser concessions

    14 January 2009

    Viyella has shut 20 of its House of Fraser concessions, after the classic womenswear business fell into administration last week.

  • 3,800 staff in consultation at Otto UK

    14 January 2009

    Otto UK, the home shopping business, will kick off a 90-day consultation with its entire 3,800 staff next week, as it looks to dramatically downsize its business.

  • M and M Direct sales rocket 31% over Xmas

    12 January 2009

    M and M Direct, the discount branded fashion home shopping firm, saw sales soar 31% for the 10 weeks to January 4.

  • Kcaj in talks with restructuring specialist

    8 January 2009

    Icelandic investment fund Kcaj, which part owns Cruise and Mountain Warehouse, is in talks with restructuring specialist Deloitte to assess options for the company and its investments.

  • Viyella in administration

    7 January 2009

    Classic womenswear business Viyella is in administration.

  • Alexon Group raises full-year profit outlook

    7 January 2009

    Alexon Group, which includes the Ann Harvey and Bay Trading , has raised its full-year operating profit outlook, after sales improved in December.

  • Simon Wolfson on his outlook for Next in 2009

    6 January 2009

    Next chief executive Simon Wolfson talks to Drapers about the impact of weak sterling and managing costs in 2009.

  • EBTM up for sale as it issues profit warning

    6 January 2009

    EBTM, the online retailer and wholesaler of music inspired fashion, has put the business up for sale as it revealed sales have deteriorated rapidly over Christmas.

  • Phase Eight appoints Michael Rahamim as chairman

    5 January 2009

    Phase Eight has appointed former Kookai UK boss Michael Rahamim as chairman, following the departure of previous chairman David Brock.

  • £100 million to be spent online on Christmas Day

    22 December 2008

    An estimated five million shoppers will go online and spend £103.6 million, an average of around £20 each, on Christmas Day, according to the IMRG.

  • Online spending picks up pace for Christmas

    17 December 2008

    Fashion etailers are posting robust sales in the run-up to Christmas, but many said that ‘Mega Monday,’ December 8, did not prove to be their biggest sales day of the year.

  • Michael Thomson

    15 December 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Zara owner Inditex posts strong sales

    11 December 2008

    Inditex, which owns fashion chain Zara, defied the downturn with net sales up 11% to €7.35 billion (£6.41bn) in the first nine months of the year.

  • Woolworths starts closing down Sale today

    11 December 2008

    Woolworths is starting a closing down Sale today after administrators struggled to find a buyer for the business.

  • Mulberry issues profit warning

    11 December 2008

    Mulberry warned that its full-year results would fall short of last year and be below current market expectations, following a recent downturn in demand.

  • Charlotte Wilkie

    8 December 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Bernard celebrates 30 years in business

    8 December 2008

    Designer womenswear independent Bernard of Esher in Surrey is celebrating its 30th anniversary this week.

  • Retailer's prepare for biggest online shopping day

    8 December 2008

    Retailers are bracing themselves for the UK's biggest Christmas shopping day online today, with shoppers expected to spend £320 million.

  • Woolworths makes 450 head office redundancies

    5 December 2008

    Woolworths is to make 450 head office redundancies after being put into administration last week.

  • Victoria Beckham dresses a virtual sell out at Selfridges

    5 December 2008

    Victoria Beckham's debut womenswear range The Dress Collection launched at Selfridges yesterday, and virtually sold out in the first day.

  • Elspeth Mills

    28 November 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Guilty opens third store after posting profit rise

    28 November 2008

    Edinburgh-based womenswear boutique Guilty has opened its third store, in Perth in Scotland, after posting a 10% rise in sales to £100,000 this year.

  • Catwalk Genius site helps fund designers

    28 November 2008

    A new online retail concept that allows the public to invest in new designers has been launched.

  • Alexon recruits retail director

    28 November 2008

    Alexon Group, owner of womenswear businesses such as Bay Trading and Kaliko, has hired Sharon Horth as retail operations director to help strengthen its management team after posting deteriorating sales in the past four months.

  • Jigsaw's website goes live

    28 November 2008

    Jigsaw has launched a transactional website today at www.jigsaw-online.com

  • Oasis heads upmarket for spring 09

    27 November 2008

    Oasis has unveiled a dramatic pared down, minimal look for its spring 09 collection, as it looks to reposition itself as a premium, upmarket brand.

  • Shop Direct Group to launch 3-for-2 promotion

    27 November 2008

    Shop Direct Group, which owns Littlewoods, is set to launch a 3-for-2 offer across all of its clothing and footwear, with effect from Monday.

  • Number 35 doubles up with second store

    24 November 2008

    London own-label womenswear independent Number 35 has unveiled its second store, on Fulham Road in west London.

  • John Lewis managing director hits back at discount strategies

    24 November 2008

    John Lewis managing director Andy Street has hit back at the recent raft of high street promotions and says brands and retailers should focus on their long term reputations, rather than resort to short-term discounting.

  • John Lewis sales fall 13%

    24 November 2008

    John Lewis saw sales drop 13% in the week ending Saturday November 22, as the tough trading conditions continued to bite.

  • Debenhams extends Sale

    21 November 2008

    Debenhams is extending its 3-day Sale an extra day online, until midnight on Saturday, as the battle for shopper spend on the high street hots up.

  • The Original Factory Shop posts record sales

    21 November 2008

    The Original Factory Shop posted a record sales rise of 20% in the six months to October 31, as the discounters continue to defy the tough trading conditions.

  • Drapers Fashion Summit: TM Lewin on track for record profits

    18 November 2008

    TM Lewin is on track to record a 20% uplift in EBITDA to £13.2 million next year, despite the general slow down in consumer spending.

  • Womenswear indies increase market share

    14 November 2008

    Womenswear independents are gaining market share despite the tough trading environment, according to exclusive data from research group TNS Worldpanel Fashion.

  • Arev management in shock exit

    14 November 2008

    Four key partners at investment firm Arev, which has stakes in Cruise, Jones Bootmaker, Mountain Warehouse and Blooming Marvellous, have resigned, but are expected to remain as board directors of its related retail investments to support the management teams.

  • Otto UK mulls German relocation to cut costs

    14 November 2008

    Otto UK, the company behind the Freemans and Grattan catalogues, stands to make massive cost savings if it goes ahead with plans to relocate its UK operations to Germany.

  • MA International faces liquidation

    14 November 2008

    Irish brand house MA International, which owns womenswear brands Michel Ambers, Kate Cooper and Claudia Stevens, was due to appoint a liquidator for the business as Drapers went to press.

  • Alexon appoints former Coats Viyella director to the board

    13 November 2008

    Adrian Moulds, former finance director at Coats Viyella, has been appointed as non-executive director at Alexon Group, which owns retailers Ann Harvey and Bay Trading.

  • Warehouse opens flagship Dublin store

    13 November 2008

    Warehouse has opened its first flagship store in the Republic of Ireland on South King Street, Dublin.

  • Republic to launch Fabric of Life own brand

    13 November 2008

    Young fashion chain Republic is poised to launch new menswear brand called Fabric of Life for spring 09.

  • Shop Direct posts first sales rise in a decade

    12 November 2008

    Shop Direct's sales rose 2.6% to £1.78 billion for the 53 weeks to April 30 - the home shopping company's first sales increase in more than a decade.

  • Alexon demands supplier discounts

    12 November 2008

    Alexon has sent a letter to suppliers demanding discounts for its Ann Harvey and Bay Trading chains.

  • Hardy Amies bought by Li & Fung

    11 November 2008

    Hardy Amies has been bought by Fung Capital Europe, an investment vehicle owned by Hong Kong-based fashion supplier Li & Fung, for an undisclosed sum.

  • Buying team under threat at Otto UK

    10 November 2008

    More than 100 buying and merchandising jobs are thought to be under threat at Otto UK, which owns the Freemans and Grattan catalogues, after the company said it was considering moving the departments to Germany.

  • Oasis makes move upmarket

    7 November 2008

    High street chain Oasis is repositioning as a premium, upmarket brand to distance itself from the likes of young fashion operators Warehouse and River Island.

  • New Ghost story to start with return to femininity

    7 November 2008

    Ghost's new owner Touker Suleyman is planning a revamp of the luxury womenswear label to return it to its feminine roots, after rescuing the label from administration last week.

  • John Lewis to open first overseas store in Dublin

    6 November 2008

    John Lewis is set to open its first store outside the UK in Dublin in the Republic of Ireland.

  • Gossard relaunches website

    6 November 2008

    Lingerie brand Gossard has relaunched its website, which will host its entire collection online for the first time.

  • On Off announces new venue at London Fashion Week

    6 November 2008

    On Off, London Fashion Week's showcase for emerging talent, will take place at the Science Museum in South Kensington, London for next season, February 22-24.

  • Indies back proposal to pay monthly rents

    4 November 2008

    Independent retailers have welcomed proposals by major landlords to allow them to pay rent on a monthly basis, insisting the move would ease cash flow difficulties.

  • Trinny and Susannah mull clothing sales on website

    4 November 2008

    Trinny and Susannah are considering a relaunch of their transactional website next year. The celebrity style duo, who endorse home shopping retailer Littlewoods, are considering adding clothing to their site, which sells their books and gives style advice.

  • Whistles unveils new image at Westfield London

    30 October 2008

    Whistles plans to roll out its new brand image which it unveiled at its concession within House of Fraser at Westfield London today.

  • APT Collections takes on Passport

    28 October 2008

    Fashion agent APT Collections is to represent German womenswear brand Passport in the UK from autumn 09 after Alison Phillips, owner of AP Fashion Marketing, which previously represented the brand, decided to close her agency at the end of this year.

  • McQueen and Williamson to open first outlet stores

    28 October 2008

    Designers Alexander McQueen and Matthew Williamson will unveil their first outlet stores this month at discount shopping centre Bicester Village in Oxfordshire.

  • FSB calls for £1 billion survival fund for small businesses

    23 October 2008

    The federation of small businesses (FSB) has called for a new £1 billion 'survival fund' to help save the industry, ahead of a critical meeting between the Chancellor and the banks today.

  • Christmas could be worst for two decades

    23 October 2008

    Retailers are facing one of the worst Christmas' for 20 years, with an aftermath of retail casualties expected next year according to Verdict Research.

  • Sports Direct trading in line with expectations

    23 October 2008

    In a pre-close statement, Sports Direct said that sales were in line with expectations, but warned that trading conditions continued to be the hardest the group has ever faced.

  • Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed denies sexual assault claims

    22 October 2008

    Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed has 'vehemently' denied allegations of sexual assault on a girl under the age of 16.

  • Joules appoints designer from Boden

    21 October 2008

    Joules has appointed former Boden head of womenswear design Tara Ryan as menswear designer.

  • Interest builds in Ghost label

    20 October 2008

    Ghost is understood to have attracted a significant amount of interest from potential new backers granting it a 10-day reprieve from administration, according to sources close to its current shareholders.

  • Business leaders call for stable banking

    17 October 2008

    Small business leaders have called for banks to stabilise terms to help independent retailers ride out the economic crisis.

  • N Brown in menswear push

    10 October 2008

    Home shopping giant N Brown plans to double its menswear sales to more than £50 million in the next three years, after sales for the category jumped 24% for the six months to August 30.

  • Woolworths disposes of stores to Tesco

    10 October 2008

    Woolworths has announced it is selling up to nine of its stores to Tesco. Sir Alan Sugar is also understood to have acquired a near 4% stake in the business.

  • Lipsy reassures stockists

    10 October 2008

    Next chief executive Simon Wolfson and Lipsy managing director Jeremy Stakol have reassured stockists that Lipsy will remain committed to the wholesale business, after Next bought the brand last week.

  • Lipsy offers Next a fresh opportunity

    9 October 2008

    Next’s acquisition of women’s young fashion brand Lipsy could signal the start of an attempt by the multiple to reconnect with younger shoppers.

  • Cath Kidston to open first store in the Republic of Ireland

    8 October 2008

    Fashion and homewares retailer Cath Kidston is set to open its first flagship store in the Republic of Ireland in Dundrum Town Centre next month.

  • Icelandic banks set to sell assets

    7 October 2008

    Icelandic banks have been ordered to start selling foreign-owned assets to help the country avoid bankruptcy.

  • N Brown defies credit crunch with strong first half

    7 October 2008

    Home shopping giant NBrown's pre-tax profits soared 19.6% to £40.8 million in the six months to August 30, despite the economic turmoil and declining consumer confidence.

  • Ghost's future uncertain as investor pulls funding

    6 October 2008

    The future of womenswear business Ghost is uncertain after a major investor has pulled the plug on funding for the business.

  • Mosaic cautious despite sales rise

    3 October 2008

    Mosaic Fashions, the womenswear and footwear group which includes retailers Karen Millen, Oasis and Warehouse, posted an increase in sales and profits in its first half of the financial year, but warned retailers to take a prudent view of sales expectations in tough times.

  • Shop Direct buying director exits in restructure

    3 October 2008

    Shop Direct Group’s fashion buying director Martin Ashby has left the business following a management restructure at its head office in Speke, Liverpool.

  • Next buys Lipsy

    2 October 2008

    Next has acquired young fashion brand Lipsy for £17.4m.

  • Gant

    2 October 2008

    The US-inspired lifestyle brand has created a homely environment in its revamped Knightsbridge store

  • Liberty trades in line with expectations

    2 October 2008

    Department store Liberty has said that trade is in line with company expectations, despite the tough market conditions.

  • Harrods posts record sales

    1 October 2008

    Luxury department store Harrods revealed group sales (including concessions) reached a record £688.3m, rising 13.4%, in the year to February 2, driven by instore investment.

  • Mosaic sees sales rise but predicts tough times ahead

    1 October 2008

    Sales at Mosaic Fashions, which includes high street brands Karen Millen, Oasis and Warehouse, rose 5% to £419 million for the 6 months to July 26, (excluding Whistles, which it sold earlier this year).

  • Mosaic reports sales rise but predicts tough times ahead

    30 September 2008

    Sales at Mosaic Fashions, which includes high street brands Karen Millen, Oasis and Warehouse, rose 5% to £419 million for the 6 months to July 26, (excluding Whistles, which it sold earlier this year).

  • Mosaic reports sales uplift but predicts tough times ahead

    27 September 2008

    Sales at Mosaic Fashions, which includes high street brands Karen Millen, Oasis and Warehouse, rose 5% to £419 million for the 6 months to July 26, (excluding Whistles, which it sold earlier this year).

  • Kokontozai expands with third store in west London

    26 September 2008

    Designer fashion and lifestyle indie Kokontozai opened its third shop last week.

  • Helen Hook

    23 September 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Preeta Cooley

    23 September 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • The Convenience Store, London W10

    23 September 2008

    With its art gallery vibe and deconstructed shopfit, the luxury newcomer vows to challenge retail preconceptions.

  • Online sales slow in August

    19 September 2008

    Online sales growth dropped 9.8% in August against July, but year-on-year, e-tail sales were up 15.1%, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

  • LFW: Jaeger London spring 09 report

    16 September 2008

    Jaeger London kicked off its second season at LFW with a beautiful collection of light, voluminous dresses juxtaposed against tailored, structured jackets for spring 09.

  • The weekend newspaper round up (September 13-14)

    15 September 2008

    The best of the fashion business related headlines from the weekend newspapers...

  • John Studley

    12 September 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Koh Samui and Feathers set up transactional sites

    12 September 2008

    London-based designer independents Koh Samui and Feathers have both made their first forays into etail.

  • Lee Lapthorne

    11 September 2008

    As OnOff enters its 10th season, its director Lee Lapthorne tells Emily Seares what he looks for in an up-and-coming designer.

  • M&S 'whistleblower' claims retailer snoops on staff

    8 September 2008

    The sacked Marks & Spencer 'whistleblower' named as Tony Goode, a former customer loyalty manager, has accused the high street chain of conducting intense surveillance on its staff, creating a culture of fear.

  • David Inglis

    5 September 2008

    The man in charge of turning around home-shopping giant Shop Direct Group, whose portfolio of catalogues includes Littlewoods, is determined to make its own-brand product every bit as desirable as its branded offer.

  • Jonathan Hopson

    5 September 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Shop Direct Group averts strikes with pay offer

    4 September 2008

    Home shopping and e-tail business Shop Direct Group has avoided strike action, after its employees voted in favour of a revised pay offer.

  • Interest rates held at 5%

    4 September 2008

    The Bank of England has held interest rates at 5%.

  • Bridgepoint slashes Fat Face debt

    4 September 2008

    Bridgepoint, the private equity owner of Fat Face, has reinvested an undisclosed sum into the lifestyle retailer to help reduce the lifestyle chain's debt by almost £22 million.

  • British Fashion Awards scheduled for November

    4 September 2008

    The British Fashion Awards 2008, supported by Swarovski, will take place on November 25 at Lawrence Hall, Westminster in London.

  • Marks & Spencer sacks whistleblower

    3 September 2008

    Marks & Spencer has dismissed the so called 'whistleblower' who revealed the retailer's plans to cut back redundancy payments, prompting the GMB union to launch a public campaign against the retailer.

  • Rahil Majid

    2 September 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Bank holiday disappoints high street

    28 August 2008

    Bank holiday sales in the UK were hit by a combination of poor weather, the credit crunch and the Olympics last weekend.

  • Bank holiday disappoints high street

    28 August 2008

    Bank holiday sales in the UK were hit by a combination of poor weather, the credit crunch and the Olympics last weekend.

  • M&S suspends whistleblower

    28 August 2008

    The whistleblower who revealed Marks & Spencer's plans to cut back redundancy payments has been suspended and faces disciplinary action from the high street giant, according to the GMB Union.

  • M&S suspends whistleblower

    28 August 2008

    The whistleblower who revealed Marks & Spencer's plans to cut back redundancy payments has been suspended and faces disciplinary action from the high street giant, according to the GMB Union.

  • John Lewis vows not to cut jobs

    27 August 2008

    John Lewis chairman Charlie Mayfield has vowed not to slash jobs at the department store group, despite the credit crunch forcing some businesses to cut staff costs.

  • John Lewis vows not to cut jobs

    27 August 2008

    John Lewis chairman Charlie Mayfield has vowed not to slash jobs at the department store group, despite the credit crunch forcing some businesses to cut staff costs.

  • Pure attendance rises despite the slowdown

    11 August 2008

    Buyers were backing core brands in greater depth for spring 09 at womenswear show Pure at Olympia in London this week as they tightened their belts to prepare for tough times ahead.

  • Richard Singlehurst

    7 August 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Fashion is fastest growing online category

    7 August 2008

    Fashion sales online are growing at a faster pace than any other retail category according to the latest report from Hitwise.

  • Buyers upbeat at opening of Pure

    4 August 2008

    Buyers at Pure shrugged off talks of an economic downturn, increasing their budgets for spring 09 and embracing next season's bright colour palette.

  • Nicky Hill

    4 August 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Next looks to bring brands to its stores

    1 August 2008

    Next is considering introducing branded fashion into its high street stores after sales slowed by 6% for the first half but rose by 2% at its mail order business.

  • Otto UK appoints new chief executive

    29 July 2008

    Home shopping group Otto UK has appointed Koert Tulleners as chief executive, with effect from September 1.

  • Brand Alley bolsters buying team

    23 July 2008

    Discount etailer Brand Alley has bolstered its buying team to help it expand its brand offer by up to four times.

  • Whistles relaunches its website

    23 July 2008

    Whistles has relaunched its website following a brand overhaul by new chief executive and former Topshop brand director Jane Shepherdson.

  • Asos to target global market

    22 July 2008

    Online giant Asos is planning to roll out its fast-fashion etail concept to overseas markets, after it posted record sales and profits at its full-year results.

  • Chiswick has bigger slice of American Pie

    22 July 2008

    Young fashion independent American Pie has quadrupled the size of its store on Chiswick High Road in west London.

  • Denham enters jeans market

    22 July 2008

    Blue Blood co-founder Jason Denham is launching a new premium denim label called Denham for spring 09.

  • Investor drives retail growth at Bandolera

    22 July 2008

    Dutch womenswear group Bandolera will open a raft of stores this year after investment firm GIMV acquired a majority stake in the business for an undisclosed sum.

  • Sales slowdown hits Jacques Vert

    22 July 2008

    Jacques Vert chief executive Paul Allen has predicted that tough market conditions will continue into next year, as the effects of the retail slowdown continue to bite.

  • Alexon recruits brand boss

    22 July 2008

    Jane McNally, the incoming chief executive of Alexon Group, has made her first major hire since she took up the position last month.

  • Gerry Weber overhauls deliveries

    21 July 2008

    Gerry Weber has revamped its delivery schedule and selling options in the UK to keep up with the fast-moving young fashion market.

  • Camille Lorigo

    21 July 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Independent retailers slash buying budgets for spring 09

    18 July 2008

    About 70% of womenswear independents are slashing their budgets for spring 09 as tough trading conditions bite into their buying.

  • Freemans relaunches website

    16 July 2008

    Freemans has relaunched its website today to fight back against competition from the likes of Asos.

  • Charles Simons

    11 July 2008

    Drapers probe leading Independents to get their View From The Shop floor.

  • Bar owners spill over into menswear store

    5 July 2008

    Two brothers who own a wine bar called Hash in Darlington, County Durham, have launched a premium menswear store under the same name in the nearby town of Yarm in North Yorkshire.

  • Baugur is set for UK move

    4 July 2008

    Icelandic investment giant Baugur is expected to announce its intention to move to the UK today.

  • Asos to target global market

    4 July 2008

    Online giant Asos is planning to roll out its fast-fashion etail concept to overseas markets, after it posted record sales and profits at its full-year results.

  • Kidspace launches its first UK store

    3 July 2008

    Kidspace, a retail concept put together by the Spazio Sei Fashion Group, is to launch its first store in the UK tomorrow.

  • Hot Tuna to open first London shop

    3 July 2008

    Surfwear brand Hot Tuna is to open its first European flagship store in Shoreditch, London next month.

  • Footfall drops 2.6% in June

    2 July 2008

    Footfall fell 2.6% in June, the fifth monthly drop this year, with out-of-town retail destinations showing the biggest decline at 5.8%.

  • Ebay to appeal against LVMH ruling

    1 July 2008

    Ebay is to appeal against a ruling in the French court yesterday, which ordered the online auction site to pay €38.6 million Euros (£30.6 million) to luxury goods group LVMH, for allowing the sale of fake goods.

  • Fairtrade Foundation appoints new chair

    1 July 2008

    David Clayton Smith, a business and brand consultant at consultancy firm Andrum, has been appointed chairman of the Fairtrade Foundation, with immediate effect.

  • N Brown boosted by warm May

    1 July 2008

    N Brown, the home shopping giant, saw sales rise 12.3% in the 17 weeks to June 28.

  • Extremepie cooks up growth cash

    28 June 2008

    Boardsports etailer Extremepie.com has secured a £50 million investment package from its parent company Extreme Group and private equity firm Aspen Capital.

  • Rabe appoints new Lucia agent

    28 June 2008

    German knitwear brand Rabe, which rescued German womenswear brand Lucia last month, has axed the brand’s UK sales team and shut down its London showroom.

  • Mail Order Trade Association merges with BRC

    27 June 2008

    The Mail Order Trade Association has merged with The British Retail Consortium (BRC), bringing new members including Asos, N Brown, Findel, Otto UK and Redcats UK under the same umbrella as bricks and mortar retailers.

  • Tesco denies using slave labour

    27 June 2008

    Tesco has denied allegations from charity War on Want that it is using slave labour to make its clothes.

  • Tesco accused of using slave labour

    26 June 2008

    Tesco has been accused of using slave labour after a charity investigation claimed that factory workers in India are paid just 16p an hour.

  • Bruce McLaren

    26 June 2008

    How confident do you feel about business this summer?I’m having a holiday, so it can’t be that bad. If the weather stays fairly decent, I might just about be pleased.

  • PIRC calls for M&S shareholders to vote against Rose

    26 June 2008

    PIRC, the corporate governance watchdog, is calling for Marks & Spencer shareholders to vote against the appointment of Sir Stuart Rose as chairman at the retailer's AGM next month.

  • Littlewoods launches £4m ad campaign

    24 June 2008

    Littlewoods is set to launch a £4 million multi-channel ad campaign next month, to help drive its online sales.

  • Shop Direct appoints new finance director

    23 June 2008

    Shop Direct Group, which owns Littlewoods, has appointed ex-Umbro chief executive Steve Makin as group finance director, with immediate effect.

  • Littlewoods sees kidswear sales soar

    23 June 2008

    Littlewoods saw nursery and kidswear sales soar 17% from January 5 to date, following the launch of a dedicated kidswear area on its website.

  • Own-brand focus for EBTM

    21 June 2008

    EBTM, the online retailer of music-inspired fashion, is to grow its own-brand offer to 50% of the product mix in the next few years after moving into the black for the first time.

  • Shepherdson unveils vision for Whistles

    20 June 2008

    Whistles chief executive Jane Shepherdson has outlined her vision to target 25-year-old women with a collection comprised of ‘pared down classics with a twist’ to the brand’s key concession partners and consumer press.

  • Warm May boosts retail sales

    19 June 2008

    The hottest May on record boosted retail sales by 3.5% against April.

  • Fashion boosts online sales in May

    19 June 2008

    Online spending in May rose 1.6% to £4.5 billion against the previous month, driven by fashion, footwear and accessories.

  • Reiss to launch in Europe

    16 June 2008

    Reiss is set to expand into Europe following the appointment of new brand director Andy Rogers, who starts today, as revealed by Drapers on June 7.

  • Attic refurbs prompt five-store expansion

    14 June 2008

    Aberdeen-based young fashion independent Attic Clothing is on the hunt for additional stores after it scooped the top store gong at the annual Scottish Design Awards.

  • Record sales trigger store expansion plans at Joules

    14 June 2008

    Lifestyle brand Joules is set to open 30 stores over the next three years after posting record results in the first quarter.

  • Phase Eight on acquisition trail

    14 June 2008

    Bridge-level womenswear ret-ailer Phase Eight is looking for suitable acquisitions to accelerate its expansion plans in the UK and globally.

  • Asos guns for slice of discount spend

    14 June 2008

    Etail giant Asos is to launch a virtual TK Maxx-style discount website to capitalise on the booming discount sector and double its sales within three years.

  • Claire's EBITDA halves in Q1

    11 June 2008

    Accessories chain Claire's saw adjusted EBITDA almost halve to $34.3 million ((17.4m) in its first quarter, compared to $60.6m (£30.9m) last year, following a drop in footfall and tough economic conditions.

  • Aldi launches online shopping calculator

    11 June 2008

    Aldi has launched an online calculator at www.saveamillionwithaldi.co.uk, to show shoppers how much they can save by shopping for clothes at the grocer's stores.

  • Blacks steps up storefit roll-out

    7 June 2008

    Blacks Leisure will speed up the roll-out of its new store concepts for its Blacks and Millets chains next year, after sales leapt dramatically at its trial stores.

  • Littlewoods unleashes two new sub brands for autumn

    7 June 2008

    Littlewoods is to introduce two new sub brands as it beefs up its own-label offer by 40%.

  • Reiss snares its first brand boss

    7 June 2008

    Reiss has appointed Stella McCartney visual creative director Andy Rogers to the newly created role of brand director.

  • Sim Scavazza

    7 June 2008

    Ethical etailer Adili knows it can’t change the world, but its director Sim Scavazza says that by giving shoppers the choice of being ethical the business can instigate a revolution in fashion.

  • Baugur director charges upheld by Supreme Court

    6 June 2008

    Baugur founder and executive chairman Jón sgeir Jóhannesson’s future role at the group remains unclear, after a conviction for book-keeping offences was upheld yesterday by the Icelandic Supreme Court.

  • Asos announces Ltd 100 winner

    5 June 2008

    London College of Fashion final year student Lui Sin Ki has been judged the overall winner of the Asos Ltd 100 collection competition last night. She produced a black, structural dress inspired by architectural buildings. 

  • Trading on track at Alexon

    5 June 2008

    Alexon Group revealed trade at its businesses was in line with expectations during the first 18 weeks of the first half of the financial year, despite weakening consumer demand and poor weather.

  • Hancox quits Otto UK

    2 June 2008

    Mike Hancox has resigned as chief executive of Otto UK following a strategic review of the mail order firm by its parent company Otto Group.

  • Clothing sales stabilise in May, say CBI

    29 May 2008

    High street activity dropped for a second consecutive month in May, however clothing sales stabilised following a poor April.

  • Hot Tuna like-for-likes rocket

    29 May 2008

    Surfwear clothing brand Hot Tuna's like-for-like sales in the UK and Europe rocketed 454% to £554,000 for spring 08, following a brand overhaul.

  • Liverpool One opens first phase

    29 May 2008

    The first phase of the £1 billion Liverpool One retail development opened in the city today.

  • Gerry Weber to open first Irish store

    29 May 2008

    Mainstream womenswear brand Gerry Weber is set to open its first Irish standalone store at Dundrum next month.

  • Mary Portas to speak at Summer Fair

    29 May 2008

    Mary Portas will appear at accessories and gifts show Summer Fair this year as part of the Future Trends Stage, talking about her vision for the future of shopping.

  • Moss Bros chief executive expected to leave

    28 May 2008

    Moss Bros chief executive Philip Mountford is understood to be looking to exit the menswear retailer after a £40 million takeover of the business collapsed yesterday.

  • Bomb found in JJB in Belfast

    27 May 2008

    A partially exploded bomb was found in a JJB Sports store in Belfast, Northern Ireland during the night.

  • Pentland Group voted best family business

    27 May 2008

    Footwear and sportswear company Pentland Group has been voted one of the best UK family businesses by JP Morgan and the UK's Institute For Family Business (IFB), in the fifth annual Family Business Honours programme.

  • Freemans to tempt older shoppers with Amara line

    24 May 2008

    Otto UK is poised to launch a new sub-brand aimed at older shoppers and plus-size customers in its Freemans and Grattan catalogues to help it compete with rival N Brown’s Simply Be brand.

  • Chancellor urged to relax inflation targets

    24 May 2008

    Retailers are calling for the Treasury to relax its targets on inflation to ease the pressure on the Bank of England so it can cut interest rates and boost consumer spending.

  • John Lewis is talks to launch in Ireland

    23 May 2008

    Department store group John Lewis is understood be in talks to open its first store in Ireland.

  • Sports Direct parts company with Credit Suisse

    23 May 2008

    Sports Direct has ended its relationship with corporate broker Credit Suisse less than 18 months after it helped with its £930 million floatation.

  • Crocs opens store on London's Kings Road

    23 May 2008

    Footwear brand Crocs is set to open its second London store on Kings Road today.

  • Jenny Packham to open Mayfair flagship

    22 May 2008

    Jenny Packham is set to open a flagship ready-to-wear store on Mount Street in Mayfair, London this September.

  • Menswear push starts at Jaeger

    17 May 2008

    Jaeger has targeted menswear as a key area for growth this year after posting a strong sales and profits hike in its full-year results.

  • Asos boosts independent designer offer

    15 May 2008

    E-tailer Asos is to expand its independent designers offer with 14 new labels.

  • Cold weather hits H&M sales

    15 May 2008

    Swedish fashion giant H&M posted a 10% drop in comparable store sales in April due to the cold weather, but said May had got off to a good start.

  • Etro to open on London's Bond Street

    14 May 2008

    Italian designer label Etro Spa is set to launch a flagship store on London's Bond Street, in the former art dealer shop Agnew’s.

  • Antichi Pelletieri acquires Finduck stock

    7 May 2008

    Italian leather goods company Antichi Pelletieri has acquired the stock of Finduck from Finduck Group, which owns the luxury goods brand Mandarina Duck, for 36.9 million Euros.

  • N Brown grows menswear offer

    3 May 2008

    Home shopping group N Brown is expanding its menswear offer and plans to more than double the proportion of sales the category generates.

  • John Lewis sales hit by warm weather

    2 May 2008

    Sales at John Lewis department stores slowed last week, up just 1.1% to £46.71 million in the week to April 26, as hot weather diverted shoppers away from the high street.

  • Baugur sells MK One to Hilco

    2 May 2008

    Baugur has sold its beleaguered young fashion chain MK One to retail restructuring specialist Hilco, according to The Daily Telegraph.

  • IFF urges retailers to forward buy currency

    2 May 2008

    The chairman of the International Fashion Federation (IFF), Glynn Alwyn-Jones, has urged independent retailers to forward buy currency to ease the pressure of the strong euro ahead of the next buying season.

  • April footfall up slightly

    1 May 2008

    Footfall in April has risen for the first time in nine months while traffic to fashion websites has risen by 7% since January.

  • Hobbs steady through 2007

    1 May 2008

    Womenswear chain Hobbs posted a 3% rise in sales to £96.2 million for the year to January 26, but pre-tax profit was flat at £16.2m following investment in a new distribution centre and transactional website.

  • Retailers back climate change plan

    30 April 2008

    Big name retailers, including John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare and Next, have signed up to a new commitment to combat climate change.

  • Adili snaps up Ascension

    26 April 2008

    Ethical fashion etailer Adili will expand the wholesale distribution of young fashion brand Ascension after buying the label last week.

  • Labelux acquires Bally

    23 April 2008

    Luxury accessories brand Bally has been acquired by Labelux Group, the luxury goods group.

  • The best of the weekend newspapers

    21 April 2008

    A round up of the best fashion related stories in the weekend newspapers (April 19-20)

  • The weekend newspaper round up

    21 April 2008

    The best of the fashion news stories from the weekend's newspapers (April 19-20).

  • Otto invests in UK brands

    19 April 2008

    German mail order company Otto Group is to inject a significant cash sum into its UK operation, after deciding to hold on to the business following a strategic review.

  • Otto invests in UK brands

    18 April 2008

    German mail order company Otto Group is to inject a significant cash sum into its UK operation, after deciding to hold on to the business following a strategic review.

  • Online sales to soar 32% this year

    16 April 2008

    Online sales will rocket 32% this year, despite the economic slowdown and tough retail climate.

  • Burberry's sales jump 18%

    15 April 2008

    Luxury group Burberry posted an 18% sales increase in its second half, revealing double digit growth in its retail and wholesale divisions.

  • Retailers issue record profit warnings

    14 April 2008

    Retailers issued the most profit warnings of all the companies in the FTSE All-Share index during the first three months of this year, according to a report by Ernst & Young.

  • The Weekend News Roundup

    14 April 2008

    The best retail news from the weekend papers...

  • Seen opens new shop to house men’s range

    12 April 2008

    Sales at Doncaster independent Seen rose 7% for the year to the end of February, prompting its owners to open a separate menswear shop under the Homeboy name.

  • Baugur intent on Moss Bros acquisition

    10 April 2008

    Icelandic retail group Baugur was planning to buy menswear chain Moss Bros at the end of the month, despite approaches from other suitors to buy the Icelandic group's 29% stake.

  • Phase Eight launches transactional website

    9 April 2008

    Womenswear retailer Phase Eight has launched a transactional website at www.phase-eight.co.uk.

  • The White Company targets growth with new recruits

    5 April 2008

    Lifestyle retailer The White Company is gearing up for growth after expanding its management team.

  • More cash for My-wardrobe

    4 April 2008

    Designer womenswear etailer My-wardrobe.com is close to finalising a £1.5 million investment package after second-year sales broke the £1m barrier.

  • Mothercare defies consumer slowdown as sales soar

    3 April 2008

    Mothercare saw sales shoot up 31.6% and group like-for-likes rise 3.8% for the 11 weeks to March 29.

  • Hardy Amies secures £500k for expansion

    2 April 2008

    Hardy Amies has secured a £500,000 loan from major shareholder Arev Brands, to help fund its store expansion programme.

  • Easter footfall worse than feared

    1 April 2008

    Retail footfall dropped 9.2% over the Easter fortnight, against Easter fornight last year, far worse than the 5.2% predicted by analysts SPSL.

  • Tesco halts sale of clothing online

    31 March 2008

    Tesco has axed the sale of clothing online less than six months after it was the first UK supermarket to launch the service, according to a report in Marketing Week.

  • UK tops online sales chart for Europe

    31 March 2008

    The UK is leading the way in etail sales in Europe according to the latest report from Mintel.

  • High street sales flat in March

    27 March 2008

    High street stores reported flat year-on-year sales in March, as retailers posted a mixed bag of sales for the month.

  • Littlewoods' denim sales rocket

    27 March 2008

    Littlewoods Shop Direct has seen denim sales take off, boosted by its own brand ranges.

  • Laura Ashley raises Moss Bros stake

    26 March 2008

    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.

  • Retail sales rise 1% in February

    20 March 2008

    Retail sales volumes jumped 1% month on month in February, compared with a rise of 0.8% between December and January.

  • Wet weather dampens sales at John Lewis

    20 March 2008

    John Lewis saw sales slide 1.3% to £47.1 million in the week to March 15, because of poor weather conditions and tough comparisons.

  • Wolfson vows to protect the Next brand

    19 March 2008

    Next chief executive Simon Wolfson has vowed to protect the Next brand and avoid discounting despite worsening conditions on the high street.

  • Littlewoods joins line up at the Off-Price Show

    18 March 2008

    Littlewoods will show its Love Label brand at the Off-Price Show in London next month.

  • Beales has tough start to the year

    18 March 2008

    Like for like sales at department store Beales declined 6.1% for the 19 weeks to March 15, following tough trading over the last six weeks.

  • February sun boosts London sales

    17 March 2008

    Retail sales in central London during February rose 10.5% like for like, boosted by sunnier weather than February 2007.

  • Claire’s gears up for Euro growth

    15 March 2008

    Women’s accessories retailer Claire’s has bolstered its buying team by 70% as it prepares for major European expansion.

  • Massimo Dutti in line for latest Inditex overhaul

    15 March 2008

    Inditex is set to launch a new-concept Massimo Dutti store on London’s Oxford Street by the end of 2009.

  • Zara, Oxford Circus

    14 March 2008

    Fast fashion has been given a luxury makeover in the Spanish retailer’s central London flagship.

  • Oasis appoints retail operations director

    13 March 2008

    Oasis has appointed Ann Summers director Ian Wallis into the role of retail operations director.

  • Jesire opens five new concessions

    12 March 2008

    Womenswear brand Jesiré is set to open five new concessions in Hoopers department stores this year.

  • Yoox launches online menswear department store

    11 March 2008

    Yoox, the fashion etailer, has launched an online designer menswear department store called Thecorner.com.

  • Littlewoods launches new Trinny & Sussanah TV campaign

    10 March 2008

    Littlewoodsdirect.com will launch a new Trinny & Susannah television advertising campaign tonight.

  • Cuba Clothing rejigs its Dungannon store

    8 March 2008

    Northern Ireland independent Cuba Clothing is relaunching its Dungannon shop with an in-store coffee house and new categories to stay one step ahead of its high street rivals.

  • Oli calls time on catalogue

    8 March 2008

    Otto UK is to scrap its Oli catalogue but remains committed to the brand as an etail venture.

  • Interest rates held at 5.25%

    6 March 2008

    The British Retail Consortium has slammed The Bank of England’s decision to hold interest rates at 5.25%.

  • Zara opens new concept store

    6 March 2008

    Zara unveiled an opulent new store concept this morning at its Oxford Circus shop in central London.

  • Littlewoods Shop Direct reveals losses for the year

    5 March 2008

    Littlewoods Shop Direct posted a pre-tax loss of £24.2 million for the year to April 30 2007, compared to a profit of £12.4 million the previous year.

  • Mulberry heads to McArthurGlen

    5 March 2008

    Luxury brand Mulberry has opened its first outlet store in McArthurGlen at the Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.

  • Laura Ashley raises stake in Moss Bros

    5 March 2008

    Laura Ashley has increased its stake in beleaguered menswear retailer Moss Bros to 5.6%.

  • Cochrane’s of Chester is sunk by tough trading

    1 March 2008

    Menswear retailer Cochrane’s of Chester has been forced into administration after difficult trading.

  • Global wholesale plan for Adili’s own brand

    1 March 2008

    Ethical etailer Adili is poised to launch its first own-brand womenswear line to international wholesale customers for spring 09.

  • Footfall down in February

    29 February 2008

    Shopper numbers dropped again in February, with year-on-year comparisons revealing seven successive months of decline.

  • Topshop's buying boss join Asos

    29 February 2008

    Asos has appointed Topshop buying director Caren Downie to lead a massive expansion of its offer this year.

  • Sainsbury's appoints strategy director to spearhead growth

    29 February 2008

    Sainsbury’s has appointed a strategy director to spearhead its next phase of growth.

  • Asda offers wedding package for £1,300

    28 February 2008

    Asda is offering couples their ‘dream’ wedding for just £1,300, compared with the average UK wedding which costs about £11,000.

  • Kamali designs collection for Wal-Mart

    28 February 2008

    Designer Norma Kamali is to create an exclusive collection for the world’s largest retailer Wal-Mart, cementing the retailer’s dedication to fashion going forward.

  • Laura Ashley courted to make Moss Bros bid

    28 February 2008

    Laura Ashley, which owns a 5.4% stake in Moss Bros, has been approached by another shareholder in the menswear chain to launch a counter-bid to Baugur’s £40 million offer, according to reports.

  • M&S to charge for plastic bags

    28 February 2008

    High street giant Marks & Spencer is to charge customers 5p for plastic carrier bags in all its UK stores from the start of May.

  • Littlewoods profits set to double this year

    27 February 2008

    Littlewoods is set to double profits to £50 million in the year to April 31, driven by strong growth in online sales.

  • Mother's Day worth £1.6 billion for UK retailers

    25 February 2008

    Mothering Sunday is expected to generate £1.6 billion in sales for UK retailers, a rise of 6% against last year.

  • Mikey on the market for £7.5m

    22 February 2008

    Accessories business Mikey has been put up for sale just 18 months after it was rescued from administration by former New Look director Alan Wood.

  • Retail sales bounce back in January

    21 February 2008

    Retail sales volumes jumped 0.8% between December and January.

  • Asda plans major UK expansion

    20 February 2008

    Asda will create 9,000 new jobs this year with a major £400 million store opening programme.

  • BRC calls for cost reductions for retailers

    20 February 2008

    The British Retail Consortium is calling on the chancellor to reduce mounting costs to retailers, following the threat of a worsening economic climate this year.

  • Craghoppers sees 25% sales rise

    19 February 2008

    Craghoppers saw sales rocket 25% in the year to January 31, boosted by an increase in demand for its technical and performance clothing.

  • A&F ramps up UK expansion

    19 February 2008

    Abercrombie & Fitch posted a 9% rise in net income to $216.8 million (£111.2m) in the 13 weeks to February 2 and said it planned to press ahead with UK expansion of its Hollister chain.

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£35000 - £55000 per annum + bens | East Midlands

ASSISTANT MANAGER - Aberdeen

£18000 - £19000 per annum + bonus + bens | Scotland; North Scotland

RESTAURANT MANAGER - TRENDY AND DYNAMIC RESTAURANT

£21613.80 - £26601.60 per annum + Amazing benefits | Republic of Ireland; Dublin

DIRECTOR OPPORTUNITY - Retail

Negotiable | North West; Lancashire

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