Drapers
James Knowles
-
Web of opportunity
26 May 2012
It may have been fashionably late to the etail party, but thanks to head of online Zia Zareem-Slade, Selfridges.com is quickly making up for lost time. -
The only way doesn’t have to be up
12 May 2012
Long-term rent deals have become a noose around some retailers’ necks as the economy has worsened. But with 50% of high street and shopping centre leases expiring by 2015, landlords may have to offer more breathing space. -
Lease expiries mean that the ball is in your court
2 May 2012
I’ve recently been looking into the retail property sector for Drapers’ upcoming focus on the issues facing landlords and tenants and was shocked to find out that a high level of high street leases are set to expire by 2015, potentially signalling a dramatic shift in the retail landscape as retailers look to ditch their worst performing stores. -
Supply routes
28 April 2012
When it comes to sourcing, retailers must weigh up price, quality and delivery – every country has its pros and cons. -
Local heroes
14 April 2012
Eight years after halting UK manufacturing, it’s all systems go again for Headen & Quarmby - with a little help from Mary Portas. -
Unlock a wealth of opportunity
5 April 2012
Those who put together a strong business plan can still secure funding, say the banks. And there are other cash-generating options to explore too. -
Manufacturing migration?
30 March 2012
With Mary Portas’ Bottom Line TV show highlighting the plight of UK manufacturing broadcasting across the country over the last few weeks there’s no doubt that the issues facing our home-grown textiles industry are at the forefront of people’s minds. -
Mix ‘brand DNA’ with multichannel
30 March 2012
A panel of leading brands and indies urged brands to marry strong design direction with a multichannel approach to achieve successful marketing. -
Only the brave will get noticed, buyers told
30 March 2012
Panel of experts say giving shoppers something different is ever-more crucial in a crowded high street -
2012: the year of the mobile
23 March 2012
Numbers of mobile internet users are predicted to overtake desktop users by 2015, so retailers who fail to invest in the platform will lose out on sales. -
Robert Simpson
16 March 2012
The owner of leather goods brand Simpson London tells James Knowles why his attaché cases are a must-have for top executives. -
A rewarding strategy
24 February 2012
Loyalty schemes are back in vogue, with retailers keen to capture more customer data to boost sales. -
Moda Lingerie
24 February 2012
Autumn 12 -
Moda Menswear
24 February 2012
Autumn 12 -
Stitch
24 February 2012
Workwear styles, relaxed formalwear and heritage were sought-after trends at the London show. -
Margin
17 February 2012
The 10th anniversary edition of the London trade show again proved a happy hunting ground for young fashion buyers seeking out fresh talent and emerging brands. -
Scoop
17 February 2012
Buyers hunted for grown-up glamour and investment pieces at the premium womenswear trade show at London’s Saatchi Gallery. -
Flying the flag
10 February 2012
Demand for Made in Britain products means British mills are thriving. Drapers profiles three businesses that are reaping the rewards of this renewed interest in home-grown manufacturing. -
Sue O’Brien
10 February 2012
Karen Millen’s fabric buyer refuses to compromise on quality, and says selecting the best fabrics and developing exclusive prints keeps the retailer ahead of the competition. -
On the digital horizon
27 January 2012
Leading etail industry figures predict how the fast-moving world of ecommerce will change in 2012. -
The sum of all retail’s parts
6 January 2012
As consumers demand fast deliveries and full product availability, retailers are having to bundle all their shopping channels into one technology concept. Welcome to omnichannel, the future of retail. -
The full package
2 December 2011
Retailers are reluctant to rip and replace the IT systems they’ve invested in, but some are doing just that and switching over to an all-in-one approach. -
Europe’s hot properties
25 November 2011
Leading retailers and real estate firms talked shop at property trade show Mapic at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes this month. We listened in to find out what some of Europe’s biggest retail property firms are up to. -
Retailers in a bind over cotton prices
25 November 2011
Unstable raw material costs and rising wages overseas are forcing retailers to rethink their supply chains to improve efficiency and remain competitive. -
The perfect fit
18 November 2011
Inconsistent sizing could be a thing of the past with a new pan-European mannequin. Now its maker Alvanon has set up a mentoring scheme to pass on its knowledge. -
Customer first
4 November 2011
Drapers brought together a selection of retailers and experts to hear their thoughts on the growing role of technology in the fashion business. -
Georgie Cook & Louise Power
28 October 2011
The two sisters behind London indie Hub have defied the doubters to build a successful menswear business. -
Mother
14 October 2011
UK stockists have latched on to this US denim brand thanks to its cashmere-feel material and bright colours. -
Smarter ways to shop and sell
14 October 2011
Busy consumers are demanding increased convenience from retailers, forcing them to rethink their supply chains and logistical operations in order to deliver. -
East rolls out iPad purchase system
7 October 2011
Mainstream womenswear chain East will let customers across all of its stores pay for items on in-store iPads. -
BFC announces Fashion 2012 programme at London Fashion Week launch
16 September 2011
British Fashion Council (BFC) chairman Harold Tillman and London mayor Boris Johnson announced the organisation’s plans for the London Olympics next year to highlight the breadth of creative talent in the UK at the opening of London Fashion Week (LFW) this morning. -
Biba expands offer with debut lingerie collection
16 September 2011
Womenswear brand Biba has added lingerie to its ready-to-wear and accessories offer for autumn 11, which includes four ranges to be sold exclusively at House of Fraser. -
Bora Aksu
16 September 2011
The LFW designer built his reputation on party dresses, but after losing his only UK stockist he is hoping to turn buyers’ heads with a more commercial and varied offer. -
The out-of-towners
16 September 2011
The declining popularity of local high streets, the rise of etail and the lure of international expansion is forcing retailers to reconsider their bricks-and-mortar strategies in the UK. -
Ann Summers will pop up at Selfridges
9 September 2011
Women’s lingerie retailer Ann Summers is opening a pop-up shop in Selfridges in London this month, after winning the luxury department store’s backing with its recent rebrand. -
Retail goes high-tech at Westfield Stratford
9 September 2011
New store concepts and technological advances showcase shopping’s future. -
Wolsey to raise UK profile with London flagship and website
2 September 2011
Heritage menswear brand Wolsey is looking to increase its UK presence with the launch of a London flagship store and a transactional website this autumn. -
Alfred Brown ups production by 15%
2 September 2011
Leeds cloth manufacturer Alfred Brown is increasing its production capacity by 15% driven by a predicted 25% increase in demand from high street retailers over 2011. -
A store of data
26 August 2011
The little black book is being replaced by technology that records customers’ buying habits. -
Jacket Required
19 August 2011
Vintage and sports-inspired looks were among the influences showcased by menswear labels in Shoreditch -
Moda Lingerie
19 August 2011
Lipstick shades, vintage-inspired styles and technical innovation were all the rage among lingerie brands -
Scoop
19 August 2011
Bright colours, vibrant prints and vintage silhouettes took centre stage for spring 12 at the London womenswear show -
Stitch - Spring 12
12 August 2011
Colourful polos and shorts, heritage pieces and graphic prints topped the buying list at the menswear show. -
Archives inspire John Lewis men’s label
5 August 2011
Department store chain John Lewis this week unveiled plans for a heritage-inspired menswear own label to launch in stores on September 13.
