Anything that makes taking risks - arguably the only way to fight your way out - harder is a serious problem’News
Indies plead for action over credit crisis
Survey by Drapers and Labour MP reveals full extent of credit insurance woes, with fashion indies demanding Government tackles the issue
Former Religion duo set up own label
Two former designers from young fashion brand Religion have launched a 50-piece womenswear label, Prey of London, for autumn 12.
Ross returns with retail consultancy
Howard Ross, the former UK and Republic of Ireland country manager for German womenswear brand Gerry Weber, has set up a consultancy called Retail Brand Connection.
Boudoir Femme grows into bigger store
Cambridge indie Boudoir Femme will double its store space and bring in a selection of new brands when it relocates later this month.
Chocolate to publish magazine and recruit more staff
Northern Irish young fashion indie Chocolate is to create an in-store magazine, ahead of expanding its brand mix and staff numbers.
Melania targets UK indies for autumn 12
Italian kids’ footwear brand Melania will wholesale to UK indies for the first time for autumn 12 and is hoping to pick up between 30 and 50 stockists in its first season.
Last-minute shoppers bring festive cheer to high street
Multiples and indies report strong sales in run-up to Christmas, but remain cautious about 2012.
Outlook remains tough for small retailers
Business interruption has been a major challenge to the growth of small to medium sized retail business in 2011 and will continue to be in 2012 according to findings by business insurance company RSA.
Tough trade triggers early Sales at indies
Indies are being forced to introduce promotions earlier than last year due to tough trading conditions and the difficulty of selling winter stock in unseasonally mild weather.
Darcy B eyes sales boom in bigger shop
Contemporary womenswear indie Darcy B is looking to triple its sales at its Woodbridge store in Suffolk after moving into larger premises.
Indie credit campaign goes all the way to Parliament
Chancellor George Osborne has said he will listen to proposals regarding credit help for small businesses, a week after Drapers reported that indies faced a credit crisis because of changes to payment terms caused by withdrawal of brands’ credit insurance.
Dalston is hot spot for vintage indies
Vintage retailers Rokit and Traid are among a growing contingent of independents eyeing up retail space in Dalston, east London, following the lead of Beyond Retro and Pelicans & Parrots.
Inspiring Indies deadline is extended
The deadline for nominations for this year’s Inspiring Independents competition has been extended to December 9.
Cast your vote for the top inspiring indies
Following the success of this year’s Inspiring Independents competition, Drapers will return with an even bigger accolade for 2012.
Templeman and Alexander honoured at Drapers Awards
Former Debehams chief executive Rob Templeman is this year’s winner of the Drapers Fashion Awards lifetime achievement award.
Lagom targets fellow indies with short-order label
Women’s young fashion indie Lagom is offering its own label as a short-order wholesale brand for spring 12.
Retail employment edges up 0.5% but outlook remains gloomy
Retail employment rose by a “modest” 0.5% in the final quarter of 2011 but the outlook remains downbeat, as 38% of retailers prepare to cut staffing levels this quarter.
Europe boss reviews Rocket Dog stockists
Rocket Dog, the women’s young fashion footwear brand, has kicked off a review of its UK stockist base following the appointment of a new European managing director.
Mama-La-Mode to wholesale babywear
The founder of maternity etailer Mama-La-Mode.com has created a wholesale babywear range for spring 12, which aims to provide stockists with flexible delivery.
Wolf & Badger to double up in London with Mayfair store
Designer indie Wolf & Badger is to open its second UK store after experiencing “tremendous demand” in its original London boutique.
Retail businesses in administration set to rise in coming months, warns BRC
The rise in business rates in April will fuel growth in the number of retail businesses going into administration, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned.
Town centres minister and Government urged to respond to Portas review
Rochdale Labour MP Simon Danczuk has written to minister for housing Grant Shapps to ask him to speed up the Government’s response to Mary Portas’ high street review, which is due in spring.
Stormy winds bring flurry of sales to Scottish indies
Some Scottish independents benefitted from the strong winds and storms that swept the country last week, as customers shopped locally to stock up on winter warmers.
CWF in mini-me ploy for Little Marc Jacobs
Children Worldwide Fashion (CWF) hopes to expand the number of UK stockists for its Little Marc Jacobs kidswear brand by introducing mini-me styles for autumn 12.
Expansion ambitions stack up for Boxpark
Pop-up mall plans UK and European openings following Shoreditch debut
Campaign gifts Christmas shoppers to Irish indies
A campaign to get 1,000 Irish consumers to commit to spending at least €100 (£85.65) of their Christmas budget with independent shops looks set to meet its target.
Indies demand action as credit crisis looms
25 Ten Boutique boss leads calls for Government to help small businesses.
Le Cabinet de Curiosites de Thomas Erber at Browns
London independent Browns has unveiled an exhibition with art director and brand consultant Thomas Erber, ‘Le Cabinet de Curiosités de Thomas Erber’ at its South Molton Street store.
Philip Browne marks 25th year with store relocation
Norwich menswear indie Philip Browne celebrates its 25th anniversary today.
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Sale stock takes up a quarter of high street
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Black White Denim opens pop-up shop
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New look for The Dressing Room
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Indies bet on festive sales to rescue trade
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Stitch moves to Islington’s Business Design Centre
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Fashion firms introduce mobile parcel tracking
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Half term hinders high street sales
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Cheap Monday to launch first standalone UK store
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Brands heed scam security warnings
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Psyche links up with college for diploma
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Refit spurs sales at Coes’ Ipswich store
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Party is So Serene in Solihull
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Two more Towie stars join womenswear label cast list
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Satchel brands set for ‘copycat’ battle
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Stone-Dri seeks to whet the appetite
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Aigle set for UK retail debut via pop-up
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Marc James looks to up stockist count
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Olympics forces Pure London date to shift to mid-August
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Brands duped out of stock by bogus calls ‘from indies’
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Year-round sourcing site targets indies
