Drapers
Gemma Goldfingle

House of Fraser to push online investment as ecommerce sales soar

24 May 2012
House of Fraser is “investing heavily” in online operations and has switched one of its distribution centres to online-only fulfilment as multichannel grows.
Debenhams starts summer discount drive

22 May 2012
Debenhams is set to kick off what is expected to be a frenzy of discounting across the high street with the launch of its ‘Summer Spectacular’ today.
Victoria's Secret to open in time for Olympics

18 May 2012
First UK stores to open days before the Games as the retailer aims to capitalise on tourism boom.
Nike pledges support to JJB Sports new format

17 May 2012
JJB Sports’ new store model has won the support of key supplier Nike, which will bring new performance product into the retailer’s stores.
French Connection director pay could spark revolt

14 May 2012
Fashion chain French Connection faces an investor revolt over proposals on director pay.
Shop Direct to outsource customer services

10 May 2012
Shop Direct, which operates brands including Littlewoods and Very, has outsourced its customer service operation in a move which could see two of its four contact centres close.
Harrods Direct boss joins My-Wardrobe as chief executive

21 April 2012
Premium etailer My-Wardrobe.com has poached Harrods ecommerce boss David Worby as its chief executive.
JD Sports on the hunt for more acquisitions

19 April 2012
JD Sports Fashion is eyeing further acquisitions to fuel expansion despite its Blacks purchase hitting full-year profits.
Retailers face £7bn bank and bond debt refinancing this year

17 April 2012
Retailers have to refinance $11.2bn (£7.1bn) in syndicated bank debt and bonds by the end of the year, with a further $60.6bn (£38.3bn) due by 2018.
Retailers warned of ‘unsustainable’ online model

13 April 2012
Online retailers face a steep rise in delivery costs because the current model is unsustainable for fulfilment firms, according to the boss of one of the UK’s largest distribution firms.
Mothercare to axe a further 110 UK stores

12 April 2012
Mothercare is to close a further 110 UK stores as part of its turnaround strategy as its full year UK like-for-likes plunge.
Fenn Wright Manson returns to roots

12 April 2012
Fenn Wright Manson’s new owner Maxine Hargreaves-Adams is to return the womenswear retailer to its roots as she begins her turnaround of the brand.
JJB thrown lifeline as Dick's takes stake in retailer

5 April 2012
JJB Sports has received a £30m injection from investors including Dick’s Sporting Goods as it posts a full year pre-tax loss of £101.1m.
Former JJB boss Chris Ronnie charged with fraud

5 April 2012
Former JJB Sports chief executive Chris Ronnie has been charged by the Serious Fraud Office.
JJB Sports attracts US giant Dick's Sporting Goods

4 April 2012
JJB Sports’ “potential strategic investor” has been revealed as US sports giant Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Debenhams puts 230 staff into consultation as it outsources customer services

4 April 2012
Department store Debenhams has put 230 staff at its Taunton contact centre into consultation as it outsources the function.
H&M considers launching premium fascia in the UK

4 April 2012
Swedish fashion giant H&M is considering the UK for the global launch of its planned new upmarket fascia & Other Stories.
JJB in discussions with "potential strategic investor"

3 April 2012
JJB Sports has revealed that it is in discussions about additional financing with its bank and a “potential strategic investor.”
Fashion retailer Ellie Louise falls into administration

2 April 2012
Fashion retailer Ellie Louise has fallen into administration.
New H&M chain to be called "& Other Stories"

2 April 2012
The new brand of stores from the Swedish fast fashion chain H&M is to be called & Other Stories, a spokesman confirmed.
Forever 21 to downsize first UK store

2 April 2012
US fashion giant Forever 21 is looking to downsize its first UK store, 18 months after its launch.
Blacks' rebrand targets family market

30 March 2012
Outdoor retailer to focus on product and store refits as it targets family market.
Wolfson ‘cautious’ about Chinese opportunities

31 March 2012
Next chief executive Lord Wolfson has warned that global powerhouse China offers limited opportunities for the fashion retailer and others like it.
Matalan tycoon Hargreaves buys Fenn Wright Manson

28 March 2012
Matalan founder John Hargreaves has snapped up collapsed womenswear retailer Fenn Wright Manson.
BRC director general Stephen Robertson steps down

28 March 2012
British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson is to step down from his role in December.
Brand Alley sales swell 60% in 2011

26 March 2012
Brand Alley sales soared 60% in its full year to December 31, 2011.
Next boss Wolfson calls for permanent Sunday trading

23 March 2012
Next boss Lord Wolfson has urged the Government to extend Sunday trading laws permanently.
Monsoon buying and design director to exit the retailer

20 March 2012
Monsoon Accessorize buying and design director Shailina Parti is to exit the retailer.
JD and Sports Direct have hots for Firetrap

16 March 2012
Sportswear giants thought to be leading race to buy young fashion brand.
TJ Hughes stores drive planned by new owner

15 March 2012
TJ Hughes owner Lewis Retail is in talks to open 11 stores over the next two years following its acquisition of the department store retailer out of administration last year.
Lingerie firm Eveden mulls sale

13 March 2012
Online lingerie firm Eveden has hired advisers to explore its strategic options which could include a £150m sale.
Primark Northern Ireland faces St Patrick's Day strike over pay row

12 March 2012
Primark staff in Northern Ireland have scheduled a St Patrick’s Day strike over the retailer’s two year pay freeze.
M&S launches new multichannel store format

8 March 2012
Marks and Spencer is launching a new multichannel store format with free Wi-Fi and QR codes featured throughout.
Boohoo moves into menswear

8 March 2012
Online fashion retailer Boohoo.com will launch a menswear line on Wednesday.
Asos delivers to Collect+ stores

8 March 2012
Asos has become the latest etailer to launch a click-and-collect service as it vies to compete with multichannel retailers.
Hobbs and Phase Eight vying to buy Fenn Wright Manson

6 March 2012
Fashion retailers including Hobbs and Phase Eight are understood to be amongst the throng interested in buying Fenn Wright Manson out of administration.
Matalan EBITDA plummets 41% in its full year

6 March 2012
Matalan EBITDA fell 41% to £91.1m in its full year.
Net-a-Porter to launch kidswear site

6 March 2012
Luxury etailer Net-a-Porter is to launch sites for kidswear, homewares and health and beauty.
Ingenious eyes maternity and etail businesses for £20m investment

5 March 2012
Private equity firm Ingenious is eyeing maternity and etail SMEs as it looks to invest £20m into up-and-coming fashion businesses.
JD owned Canterbury sponsors England rugby team

2 March 2012
JD Sports owned rugby brand Canterbury has signed a four year kit deal with the Rugby Football union and will supply the England team.
Fenn Wright Manson files intention to appoint an administrator

2 March 2012
Womenswear chain Fenn Wright Manson has filed an intention to appoint an administrator.
Fenn Wright Manson calls in restructuring firm

1 March 2012
Womenswear chain Fenn Wright Manson has called in a restructuring specialist as trading worsens since its acquisition by private equity firm Darwin 17 months ago.
Shop Direct develops virtual changing room

1 March 2012
Etail giant Shop Direct is developing a virtual changing room to allow online customers to try on clothing.
New fascia for Aldo and tie-up with Debs

1 March 2012
Canadian footwear business Aldo is bringing its Call it Spring fascia to the UK with a store on Oxford Street after it debuts with a concession in Debenhams.
Clothing sales February volumes sink below general retail, according to the CBI

28 February 2012
Clothing retailers reported the lowest volume of sales in February since March 2009, according to CBI Distributive Trades Survey.
Primark like-for-likes to edge up 2% in first half

27 February 2012
Primark like-for-likes are expected to edge up 2% in its first half, according to a pre close trading statement by parent Associated British Foods.
Lipsy opens first overseas stores in Dubai

24 February 2012
Young fashion retailer Lipsy has opened its first overseas stores in Dubai.
Sales uplift at Ann Summers after La Senza hit the buffers

24 February 2012
The lingerie retailer enjoys a sales hike and launches ‘tongue in cheek’ ad campaign
White Stuff hires new marketing boss

23 February 2012
Lifestyle retailer White Stuff has hired former Debenhams marketing manager Claire Neillands as its boss of cross-channel marketing, replacing Alison Lancaster who left to become Morrisons’ online marketing head last month.
TK Maxx boss re-emerges at helm of Republic

22 February 2012
Fashion retailer Republic has hired former TK Maxx boss Paul Sweetenham to push forward its expansion as founder Tim Whitworth steps back from the day-to-day running of the business.
JJB Sports like-for-likes slide but margins improve

20 February 2012
JJB Sports like-for-likes dropped 5.7% in the 5 weeks to January 29 as its margins continued to improve.
Matalan reviews role in Get Britain Working after Tesco backlash

20 February 2012
Fashion retailer Matalan has suspended its involvement in a government-backed work experience scheme following the backlash experienced by Tesco.
Cheryl Cole to open StylistPick's first pop-up shop

17 February 2012
Online accessories specialist StylistPick is to open a pop-up shop at Westfield, London next week where face of the brand Cheryl Cole will make an appearance.
Republic invests online as Bond fears for the high street

16 February 2012
Young fashion retailer Republic is revamping its online platform in expectation of tough times for fashion stores over the next five years.
Aurora to sell stake in Bastyan brand

15 February 2012
Fashion group Aurora is to sell its stake in Bastyan as the womenswear label looks to wholesale for growth.
BrandAlley to double mobile sales with site launch

14 February 2012
BrandAlley has launched its first mobile-friendly site as it plans to double sales via mobile this year.
Forever 21 chief cautious over UK expansion plans

10 February 2012
US fast-fashion chain Forever 21 is viewing its UK expansion with “caution” as economic conditions turn volatile.
Mothercare to launch range with Jools Oliver

8 February 2012
Maternity retailer Mothercare is to launch a designer range with Jools Oliver, wife of celebrity chef Jamie.
Textiles tycoon in surprise Peacocks bid

6 February 2012
Textiles tycoon Alshair Fiyaz has teamed up with Danish investment fund Solstra Capital to submit a second round bid for Peacocks.
Q&A: Shop Direct chief executive Mark Newton-Jones

31 January 2012
During his eight years at Shop Direct, chief executive Mark Newton-Jones has transformed a struggling catalogue retailer into an online giant. As the retail boss reveals his plans to leave Shop Direct, Gemma Goldfingle finds out why it’s time to depart and what the future holds in store.
Shop Direct chief executive Newton-Jones to exit

30 January 2012
Shop Direct chief executive Mark Newton-Jones is to leave the home shopping giant.
Primark optimistic for 2012 after strong sales

26 January 2012
The squeeze on consumers will lessen in 2012, directors of Primark’s parent company believe.
SuperGroup eyes efficiency savings with new warehouse

25 January 2012
SuperGroup is to move to a new distribution centre which is set to make its operation more efficient.
Primark Northern Irish workers back call for strike

24 January 2012
Primark staff in Northern Ireland have overwhelmingly backed industrial action in protest at the retailer’s attempt to impose a second year of pay freezes.
Private equity firms eye Peacocks

23 January 2012
A host of private equity firms are circling collapsed fashion retailer Peacocks.
Kidswear chain Pumpkin Patch hits the buffers

20 January 2012
Kidswear retailer Pumpkin Patch has fallen into administration.
Primark Northern Irish staff balloted on strike action

18 January 2012
Primark staff in Northern Ireland are close to calling a strike following a second year of pay freezes.
Ziff buys bulk of Barratts stores

16 January 2012
Owner of Barratts Priceless Group Michael Ziff has struck a deal with administrators to buy the bulk of its stores.
‘Mobile is the future’, says Shop Direct boss

13 January 2012
Home shopping giant Shop Direct – which owns the Littlewoods and Very brands – expects half of all sales to come via mobile phones in the next four years following a mobile sales surge over Christmas.
SuperGroup Christmas sales jump

11 January 2012
SuperGroup like-for-like sales jumped 5.8% over in the nine weeks to January 1.
Shop Direct reveals Christmas sales leap

9 January 2012
Home shopping group Shop Direct’s sales jumped 9% over Christmas but it expects sales to deteriorate in 2012.
JD Sports frontrunner to buy Blacks

6 January 2012
JD Sports is understood to be the frontrunner to buy struggling outdoors retailer Blacks with the deal likely to go-ahead on Monday.
Irisa online and marketing boss Delafeld exits

6 January 2012
Irisa director Giles Delafeld has left the group to head up online voucher specialist VoucherCodes.com.
Sun European to merge Jacques Vert and Irisa back office functions

5 January 2012
Jacques Vert’s new owner Sun European Partners is to merge its back office with that of fellow new acquisition, the Irisa Group, formerly known as Alexon.
Technical difficulties hit Harrods website during New Year's Sale

3 January 2012
Luxury department store Harrods website has been taking offline today during peak New Year Sales trading because of technical difficulties.
Edinburgh Woollen Mill emerges as surprise Blacks bidder

22 December 2011
Blacks has received strong interest from potential bidders ahead of today’s deadline for offers to buy the struggling retailer.
Former Monsoon digital head reemerges at US private Sales site Zulily ahead of UK launch

8 December 2011
US online private Sales site Zulily is to launch in the UK and has hired former Monsoon digital chief Kristine Kirby to head the operation.
Reiss full year EBITDA soars 44%

28 November 2011
Premium retailer Reiss has reported EBITDA soared 44% to £13.1m in the full year to January 31.
EBay acquires data analysis firm to help it develop personal recommendations

22 November 2011
EBay has acquired US data analysis firm Hunch to help it develop tailored recommendations for its users.
Debenhams to launch 'Christmas Spectacular' Sale this week

14 November 2011
Debenhams is to launch its ‘Christmas Spectacular’ Sale this Wednesday, offering price cuts of up to 40%.
Primark to ramp up menswear after early Selfridges success

11 November 2011
Primark is aiming to bolster its menswear category following early success with its debut in Selfridges’ Birmingham store.
SuperGroup warehouse glitch slows sales growth

9 November 2011
SuperGroup sales growth slowed in its three months to October 30 as its warehouse glitch takes its toll on sales.
Store rents fall to £1 as landlords look to avoid paying business rates

7 November 2011
Britain will see a new raft of “pound shops” as the depressed high street has led landlords to offer annual rents of only £1
Ann Summers overhauls its website

3 November 2011
Lingerie and sex toy chain Ann Summers is overhauling its website to improve functionality.
Piccadilly improvements ease congestion for shoppers

3 November 2011
The £14m overhaul of Piccadilly and its surrounding streets has been completed which will ease congestion for shoppers in the area.
Asos half year profits soar 66%

3 November 2011
Online giant ASOS half-year profits before tax and exceptionals soared 66% to £11.7m.
Shop Direct hires former Clarks finance director Mark McMenemy

2 November 2011
Shop Direct has hired former Clarks group finance director Mark McMenemy.
Store Twenty One launches label with Katie Price

31 October 2011
Value retailer Store Twenty One has teamed up with model Katie Price to create a new label called Katie’s Boutique.
Fenn Wright Manson’s Hollins joins Asos as trading director

28 October 2011
Online giant Asos has hired Fenn Wright Manson interim merchandising director Maria Hollins as its new trading director.
Blacks like-for-likes plummet as turnaround plan is unveiled

27 October 2011
Outdoor retailer Blacks has seen like-for-likes plummet 7.2% in its first half as new boss Julia Reynolds unveils her turnaround strategy.
Losses widen at Austin Reed

24 October 2011
Losses have widened at menswear retailer Austin Reed despite sales growing.
Asos losing young shoppers to high street discounters

21 October 2011
Asos boss Nick Robertson has blamed the etail giant’s sharp slowdown in UK sales on younger shoppers being driven from the web to the promotion-rife high street.
In pictures: Oasis's revamped London flagship

20 October 2011
Oasis’s revamped London flagship store clocked up record sales when it reopened last weekend.
Sharp sets out strategy as Debenhams records 10% profit increase

20 October 2011
New Debenhams chief executive Michael Sharp has revealed his growth strategy for the department store, as the retailer’s full year pre-tax profit jumped 10% to £166.1m.
Shop Direct to launch Very overseas as it cuts group losses

19 October 2011
Shop Direct is to launch Very overseas as it cuts group losses to £7.8m over the past year.
Sports Direct profits jump 13.3% as sales grow

19 October 2011
Sports Direct retail gross profit advanced 13.3% to £119m as sales thrive.
City retail area to be pedestrianised for Christmas shopping event

17 October 2011
City of London shopping street Cheapside will be pedestrianised for a day in December to make Christmas shopping easier.
Debenhams poaches BHS managing director Mike Goring

17 October 2011
Debenhams has poached BHS managing director Mike Goring who will become retail director of the department store.
Online retail searches rise 35% in the third quarter

17 October 2011
Total retail searches rose at the fastest rate this year during the quarter to September at 35% as thrify Brits scoured the web for a bargain.
Harrods profits soar as it breaks £1bn sales barrier

14 October 2011
Luxury department store Harrods profits soared 39% to £108.3m in its year to January 29.
Reiss sets global ambitions

13 October 2011
Reiss’ overseas business will outgrow its UK operation in the next three to four years, according to its new international director Sanjay Sharma.
Figleaves in profit but N Brown warns confidence is waning

13 October 2011
N Brown’s etail lingerie business Figleaves has made a half-year profit for the first time in its history, but the home shopping fashion group faces an uphill battle until the end of the year as consumer confidence deteriorates.
Mothercare chief executive Ben Gordon to exit

11 October 2011
Mothercare chief executive Ben Gordon is to leave the struggling retailer by mutual consent with its board.
N Brown warns of declining consumer sentiment despite profit jump

11 October 2011
Home shopping group N Brown’s pre-tax profit swelled 5.9% in its half year but it warned of dampening consumer sentiment.
Brand Alley sales soar 70%

10 October 2011
Private Sales etailer Brand Alley has posted a 70% sales increase for the first nine months of this year.
Cameron does U-turn on credit card debt

5 October 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has rewritten his speech to the Conservative conference removing a key passage which was interpreted as a call for households to pay off their credit card debts.
Strong back-to-school sales boosts Sainsbury's general merchandise performance

5 October 2011
Sainsbury’s has said that its general merchandise business, which includes clothing, has continued to grow with sales growth “well ahead” of its grocery business.
EBay launches ad campaign to promote its Fashion Outlet

4 October 2011
EBay has unveiled a new advertising campaign to promote its Fashion Outlet.
Jack Wills to double US store numbers

4 October 2011
Young fashion chain Jack Wills is to double its presence in the US.
IMAGE GALLERY: Topman's new General Store, Shoreditch, London

3 October 2011
Topman has launched a new format store in Shoreditch, London.
Minimum wage increase will threaten retail employment, warns BRC

3 October 2011
The increase in minimum wage will make it harder for retailers to maintain and create jobs according to the British Retail Consortium.
Pressure on young will hit Next’s Lipsy brand profits

16 September 2011
Young fashion is the most at-risk clothing category, Next boss Lord Wolfson cautioned as the retailer posted strong first-half results.
Boden profits surge 13% in 2010

12 September 2011
Home shopping giant Boden like-for-likes grew 5% in first half of the year as it reports a profit surge in 2010.
Monki eyes up flagship and 10 stores in London

9 September 2011
Swedish women’s young fashion retailer Monki is on the hunt for a London flagship following its UK debut last week as a concession at Selfridges in London.
Laura Ashley half year profits soar 28%

8 September 2011
Laura Ashley half year profits surged 28% making the retailer confident about prospects despite the punishing trading environment.
Sports Direct profits dip

7 September 2011
Sports Direct gross profits suffered a dip after sales remained flat.
White Stuff reaches out to community in footfall drive

2 September 2011
Lifestyle retailer White Stuff hopes to encourage footfall by turning stores into community hubs through a series of initiatives including swap shops and book clubs.
PIRC advises Sports Direct shareholders to block Mike Ashley deal

31 August 2011
Sports Direct shareholders have been urged to oppose a multi-million pound property acquisition from founder Mike Ashley by shareholder representive group PIRC.
Harvey Nics and Mulberry in talks to create upmarket Stratford walkway

30 August 2011
Luxury stores Harvey Nichols and Mulberry are in talks to open shops in the walkway to the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
John Lewis to use Waitrose stores to double its click-and-collect network

30 August 2011
John Lewis is to double the size of its click-and-collect operation by adding an extra 60 Waitrose branches to its network of stores at which customers can pick up goods.
Subcription site Stylist Pick to relaunch

25 August 2011
Online accessories specialist Stylist Pick is to relaunch its site and push the button on a TV advertising campaign this autumn.
Primark quashes claims that it is to launch a transactional website

23 August 2011
Value fashion giant Primark has denied reports that it is to launch a transactional website.
Product guru Kilmartin to oversee Blacks overhaul

19 August 2011
Former Primark buying and merchandising director Julian Kilmartin has been drafted into Blacks as a consultant to advise on its clothing, as part of new chief executive Julia Reynolds’ plans to revive the ailing outdoor chain.
Twelve more TJ Hughes stores to close

18 August 2011
A further 12 TJ Hughes stores are to close, administrator Ernst & Young has revealed.
Retail sales remain flat in July according to ONS

18 August 2011
Retail sales remained flat in July according to the Office of National Statistics as cash-strapped consumers remained under pressure.
Two further TJ Hughes stores saved by Lewis Home Retail

10 August 2011
Two more TJ Hughes stores have been bought out of administration by Lewis’ Home Retail.
River Island ups ante with return to print advertising

5 August 2011
Creative director keen to grab market share with autumn collection ads in September’s fashion bibles
Next reports resilient first half sales

3 August 2011
Next has reported soaring Directory sales which offset a dip in retail revenue in its first half.
Zara UK full year profits surge

1 August 2011
Fast fashion chain Zara’s UK business posted a sharp full-year profits jump as it cut back on spending.
Debenhams axes Jane Norman concessions

1 August 2011
Department store Debenhams has terminated its concession agreement with Jane Norman after talks with its new owner Edinburgh Woollen Mill broke down.
Mike Ashley ups stake in Blacks

25 July 2011
Speculation is growing that Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley is targetting a takeover of rival Blacks as the sportswear tycoon increases his stake in the struggling outdoor retailer.
Asos drives global sales with further overseas site launches

21 July 2011
Asos will launch its next tranche of international websites in September as it seeks to further drive overseas sales.
H&M like for likes drop 4%

15 July 2011
Swedish fashion giant H&M’s like-for-likes sales dropped 4% in June.
Asos sales soar 69% in the first quarter

14 July 2011
Sales at online fashion giant Asos soared by 69% to £104m in its first quarter.
N Brown signs Flintoff as new face of Jacamo

11 July 2011
Former cricket ace Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has signed up to be the new face of N Brown menswear brand Jacamo, which is aimed at big and tall men aged between 30 and 45.
Alexon records flat like-for-likes

7 July 2011
The Kaliko, Alexon and Eastex businesses helped Alexon Group to achieve flat like-for-like sales for the 22 weeks to July 2.
Forever 21 signs blogger Bip Ling as its new face as it gears up for Oxford Street opening

6 July 2011
US fashion giant Forever 21 has signed fashion blogger Bip Ling as the new face of its brand as it prepares to open its Oxford Street flagship.
Shop price inflation increases to 2.9% in June

6 July 2011
Shop price inflation increased to 2.9% in June, up from 2.3% in May according to figures from The British Retail Consortium-Nielsen Shop Price Index.
Forever 21 to open new flagship at Lakeside

4 July 2011
US fashion giant Forever 21 is to open a store at Lakeside, Essex.
Next offloads customer service business Ventura

4 July 2011
Next has sold its third-party customer service business Ventura to support services company Capita for £65m.
Mohamed al-Fayed snaps up luxury e-tailer Cocosa

1 July 2011
Former Harrods owner Mohamed al-Fayed has made a return to retail by acquiring online retailer Cocosa.
Shop Direct hires new Very boss as Asda suffers another departure

29 June 2011
Home shopping group Shop Direct has poached Asda marketing director Jon Owen to lead its flagship brand Very.
H&M first half profits plunge

22 June 2011
Swedish fashion giant H&M first half profits plunged as cotton prices and sourcing inflation soared.
Marks and Spencer gives bumper pay-outs to Bolland and Rose

10 June 2011
Marks and Spencer chief executive Mark Bolland received a £13.8m golden hello over the last year as former boss Sir Stuart Rose was waved off with a £8.1m pay-out.
Breakthrough for retailers as EU ditches controversial plans

8 June 2011
The European Parliament has bowed down to pressure from retailers and abandoned plans to force retailers to offer free returns from anywhere in Europe and deliver to all EU countries.
Miriam Lahage

3 June 2011
The queen of the discount market is carving out a ‘unique position’ for eBay’s Fashion Outlet via the adoption of mobile technology and adding higher-end brands to its offer.
Warm weather helps H&M's global sales soar

17 May 2011
Sales at Swedish fast fashion chain H&M soared in April as the warm weather across Europe encouraged shoppers to update their wardrobe.
M and M Direct axes women’s buyer role amid slower trading

28 April 2011
Discount etailer M and M Direct has axed the role of womenswear buyer, blaming sluggish performance in the category.
Asos sales up 70% in Q4 driven by soaring international sales

13 April 2011
Asos’ group sales soared by 70% in its fourth quarter driven by its growing international arm which overtook the UK for the first time.
Lingerie etailer BeCheeky.com on brink of liquidation

6 April 2011
Online lingerie retailer BeCheeky.com is close to liquidation. The etailer ceased trading last month and accountancy firm Bishop Fleming is due to be appointed as liquidator tomorrow.
VIDEO: Brand Alley launches iPhone app and marketing campaign

29 March 2011
Designer discount etailer BrandAlley has launched an iPhone app and produced a YouTube video to promote the business’s mobile strategy.
Sunshine helps John Lewis sales grow

25 March 2011
Fashion sales at John Lewis rose 0.8% in the week to March 19 with the sunny weather driving sales of spring ranges.
UK stores escape Gap store cull as 200 are closed in US

25 March 2011
Only a handful of Gap’s UK stores are expected to close as part of the US casualwear giant’s plans to rationalise its portfolio by axing 200 shops in the US as it focuses on its outlet operation.
Inditex EBITDA soars 25% in 2010

23 March 2011
Fashion group Inditex’s EBITDA grew to €2.97bn (£2.6bn) in the financial year ending January 31, as its like-for-likes were up 3% worldwide. Total sales jumped 13% to €12.5bn (£10.8bn) with Europe, excluding Inditex’s home country Spain, accounting for 45% of group sales.
JJB CVA approved by creditors

22 March 2011
JJB Sports’ creditors have approved the struggling sports retailer’s CVA proposal.
TJ Hughes loses credit insurance

21 March 2011
Discount department store TJ Hughes has had its credit insurance pulled according to The SundayTimes.
JJB CVA gets landlord Hammerson's backing

21 March 2011
JJB Sports’ proposed company voluntary arrangement (CVA) has been bolstered after it won the backing of key landlord Hammerson.
Northern Ireland shopping bag tax rushed to raise revenue warns BRC

2 March 2011
A new tax on shopping bags in Northern Ireland is being rushed through to raise revenue, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned.
Asos launches Fashion Finder site

28 February 2011
Etailer Asos has launched its Fashion Finder site which showcases the latest trends and links to products sold by rival retailers.
All Saints up for sale

28 February 2011
Young fashion chain All Saints has been put up for sale by its collapsed Icelandic backers, with a potential price tag of £140m.
Net-a-Porter launches online TV station

10 February 2011
Premium etailer Net-a-Porter is to launch its own digital TV station to air on its website.
Supergroup acquires its French and Benelux partner

4 February 2011
SuperGroup has acquired CNC Collections BVBA (CNC), the French and Benelux franchisee and distributor of its Superdry brand to help drive international expansion.
Egypt riots disrupt UK stock deliveries

4 February, 2011
Anti-government riots in Egypt have slowed supplies of product from the country, piling fresh pressure on brands and retailers to re-examine their supply bases and bring them closer to home.
Amazon ramps up offer with lingerie

4 February, 2011
Online giant Amazon has launched a branded lingerie offer on its UK site which will see it go head to head with N Brown’s Figleaves business.
H&M launches sustainable range

3 February 2011
H&M is to launch a sustainable fashion range in April, made from ‘eco’ materials such as organic cotton and recycled fabrics.
Vente-Privee UK sales soar 114%

25 January 2011
Private sales site Vente-privee has reported UK sales jumped 114% to £6.4m in the 2010 calendar year.
Oli to merge with Freemans

13 January 2011
Fashion etailer Oli is set to merge with online department store Freemans.
Shop Direct launches online department store

5 January 2011
Home-shopping giant Shop Direct Group is to launch an online department store targeting style-conscious 50 plus women and fronted by actress Lynda Bellingham.
Online sales reach £6.4bn in November as shoppers snap up winter clothes

21 December 2010
UK shoppers spent £6.4bn online during November, equivalent to £104 per person, according to trade body IMRG’s Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.
Asos hires new fashion and beauty editor

21 December 2010
Online fashion giant Asos has hired Danielle Radojcin, previously fashion and beauty director at Handbag.com, as senior fashion and beauty editor.
The weekend round-up for December 18-19

20 December 2010
A round up of the best fashion business stories from the weekend’s newspapers.
The weekend newspaper round up: December 4 to 5, 2010

6 December 2010
A round up of the best fashion business stories from the weekend’s newspapers.
Online sales set to peak on 'Mega Monday'

29 November 2010
Online sales are set to peak today in what is poised to be one of the busiest internet shopping days of the year.
Gap and Valentino collaboration launches this Saturday

25 November 2010
Valentino’s collection with high-street retailer Gap will launch in its London flagship store this Saturday.

DrapersGemma Goldfingle

Drapers
Gemma Goldfingle