Drapers
Lisa Berwin
Lisa Berwin covers fashion, mail order and online retail for Retail Week and Drapers.
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Strong first quarter for Sports Direct
7 September 2010
First quarter sales and profits at Sports Direct were strong despite the poor performance by the England team in the football World Cup impacting sales. -
EBay's fine in LVMH court case reduced
3 September 2010
Etailer EBay has had its fine over LVMH fakes sold on its site slashed by a French Court of appeal. -
Gap sales flat in August
3 September 2010
US fashion giant Gap said that total sales and like-for-like sales were flat in August with mixed results across its fascias. -
Mountain Warehouse deal values store group at £50m
2 September 2010
Private equity firm LDC has bought into fast-growing outdoor gear specialist Mountain Warehouse in a deal valuing the retailer at £50m. -
H&M confirms Lanvin collaboration
2 September 2010
H&M has confirmed its latest designer collaboration with French luxury fashion house Lanvin. -
H&M rumoured to be collaborating with French luxury designer Lanvin
1 September 2010
H&M is rumoured to be launching its latest designer collaboration with luxury French fashion house Lanvin. -
Littlewoods launches first advert with Coleen Rooney
1 September 2010
Littlewoods has launched its first television advertising campaign starring Coleen Rooney, the wife of Manchester United and England football star Wayne Rooney. -
EBay to push fashion credentials through major advertising push
31 August 2010
EBay is preparing to launch its autumn advertising campaign, its biggest yet, to push its Fashion Outlet offer. -
New Marks & Spencer chairman to get £500,000
23 August 2010
Marks & Spencer’s new chairman could be paid around 40% less than current chairman Sir Stuart Rose according to reports. -
Gap starts selling online in the UK
20 August 2010
Gap, the US fashion giant, has soft launched its first transactional websites in the UK. -
Gap sales and profits rise
20 August 2010
Profits at Gap rose 3% in its second quarter to July 31 to $234m (£150.7m), the US fashion giant reported. -
Slowest sales growth in Scotland for a decade
18 August 2010
Retail sales growth in Scotland fell to its lowest level in 10 years with like-for-like sales in July 1.4% lower than July last year. -
Empty shops could be used as courts
18 August 2010
Empty shops in shopping centres could now be used as magistrates courts. -
American Apparel warns on future
18 August 2010
The future of American retailer American Apparel was thrown into doubt as it warned over its ability to continue as a going concern. -
JJB Sports loses fight to derecognise union
17 August 2010
JJB Sports’ application to derecognise the GMB union which represents staff at its warehouse in Wigan has been rejected. -
Sir Philip Green defends government role
16 August 2010
Sir Philip Green has answered critics of his new role as government spending czar. -
American Apparel to miss filing deadline
11 August 2010
Beleaguered US fashion retailer American Apparel will miss its deadline to file second quarter results and has confirmed that it expects to make a loss during the period. -
Blacks like-for-like sales fall 7.5%
21 July 2010
Like-for-like sales fell 7.5% at sports retailer Blacks Leisure in the 17 weeks to June 26. -
Online clothing sales rise 22% in June
20 July 2010
Online sales of clothing, footwear and accessories jumped 22% in June against the previous year, but dipped 9% on May, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index. -
Andy Street says private sector pay is ‘out of control’
19 July 2010
John Lewis managing director Andy Street has said that UK executive pay is “out of control”. -
London sales up 14.4% in June
19 July 2010
Sales across all retail sectors in London soared 14.4% on a like-for-like basis in June with the warm weather and improving consumer confidence helping sales in the capital. -
H&M sales up 20% in June
15 July 2010
Sales for Swedish fashion giant H&M have continued to rise, soaring 20% in June compared to the same month last year. -
Shareholders pass all resoultions at Marks & Spencer AGM
14 July 2010
All resolutions, including the controversial remuneration report, have been passed by shareholders in the room at another high spirited M&S AGM. -
M&S AGM: Live coverage
14 July 2010
Live coverage of the Marks & Spencer AGM. -
Asos sales up 54%
14 July 2010
Asos said that sales rose 54% to £61.7m in the first quarter to June 30, with sales from its international business continuing to grow at over 100%. -
Hed Kandi to open first store in Bluewater
7 July 2010
Music and lifestyle brand Hed Kandi has confirmed its first move into retail with a store opening in the Bluewater shopping centre in August. -
Shop price inflation slowed to 1.5% in June
7 July 2010
Shop price inflation slowed to 1.5% in June after slowing to 1.8% in May, according to the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index. -
N Brown sales hit by election uncertainty
6 July 2010
N Brown, the home shopping group, said that uncertainty surrounding the general election and measures in the emergency Budget led to a more subdued period of trading. -
My-Wardrobe receives £6m investment
5 July 2010
Premium etailer My-Wardrobe has received a $9m (£6m) investment led by venture capital group Balderton Capital to drive the growth of the business. -
JJB chairman John Clare to be paid in shares
17 June 2010
JJB Sports chairman John Clare has shown his confidence in the recovery of the sports chain by taking a share award only for his role at the retailer rather than cash. -
N Brown snaps up Figleaves
15 June 2010
Home shopping specialist N Brown has bought online lingerie retailer Figleaves for £11.5m. -
American Apparel set to renegotiate debt covenants with UK lender
14 June 2010
US retailer American Apparel is close to negotiating a debt revision with its UK backer, private equity group Lion Capital, according to reports. -
Mothercare boss gets £6.5m
10 June 2010
Mothercare chief executive Ben Gordon’s total remuneration package increased from £1.4m to £6.5m this year after a management incentive scheme paid out. -
International sales help Asos' pre-tax profits soar 44%
9 June 2010
Asos said that pre-tax profits soared 44% to £20.3m in the year to March 31, boosted by its burgeoning international business. -
Laura Ashley to hit full year expectations as sales grow
4 June 2010
Laura Ashley has said that full year trading will be in line with expectations as it revealed a like-for-like sales hike of 5.3% in the 17 weeks to May 29. -
OFT clears Sports Direct stake in Blacks
3 June 2010
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has ruled that Sports Direct’s shares in Blacks Leisure did not create any competition issues. -
Tesco staff to receive record shares payout
2 June 2010
Staff at Tesco will be rewarded today with their share of a £105m bonus pot in the grocery giant’s biggest ever shares scheme. -
New Look profits climb 17.7%
2 June 2010
New Look has reported strong growth in sales and profits for its full year to March 27 with underlying operating profits for the fashion group ahead 17.7% to £163m. -
Inditex and H&M break into new markets
1 June 2010
Two of Europe’s largest fashion retailers Inditex and H&M have taken their first steps into new growth markets this week; with Inditex opening its first store in India and H&M announcing its first opening in Turkey. -
Pentland Group builds Blacks stake to block Ashley bid
25 May 2010
Updated: Blacks Leisure confirmed today that Pentland Group has snapped up a 5.86% stake in the outdoor specialist. -
Original Factory Shop denies sale process underway
25 May 2010
Updated: The Original Factory Shop has today denied that the value department store has been put up for sale by private equity owner Duke Street. -
James Bidwell exits Anthropologie
19 May 2010
James Bidwell, managing director of Anthropologie Europe, has left the business after his role was made redundant in a restructure. -
OFT to probe Sports Direct stake in Blacks
18 May 2010
The Office of Fair Trading is investigating Sports Direct’s stake in Blacks Leisure which it won ownership of in a High Court claim last week. -
Consumer confidence rises despite economic concerns
14 May 2010
Consumer confidence has risen to its highest level since November 2007, but many consumers are still concerned about the economy, bills and debt. -
Economists expect new government to push up VAT
13 May 2010
Top economists are expecting the new coalition government to raise VAT to 20% to help plug the budget deficit. -
Gap sales flat in April during strong first quarter
6 May 2010
Sales at US giant Gap fell in April during a positive first quarter where sales rose 6% to $3.3bn (£2.2bn) and like-for-like sales lifted 4% in the three months to May 1. -
Mothercare eyes Blooming Marvellous
6 May 2010
Mothercare, the maternity specialist retail chain, is understood to be considering buying baby and maternity retailer Blooming Marvellous to boost its clothing offer. -
Next first quarter sales grow 4.1%
5 May 2010
Total sales at Next grew 4.1% excluding VAT in the 13 weeks to May 1 but the chain said it remained “cautious” for the year ahead. -
Asos to launch marketplace for customers and indies
4 May 2010
Etailer Asos has confirmed plans to launch a virtual marketplace where customers and independent retailers can sell clothes via the site. -
Blacks moves forward with fundraising after a difficult year
30 April 2010
Blacks Leisure is pressing ahead with a £20m fundraising as sales start to improve for the outdoor retailer after a year of major restructuring across the business. -
N Brown to enter the US after a record year
27 April 2010
N Brown has confirmed plans to enter the US later this year as total sales at the home shopping group grew 4.2% to £690m in the year to February 27. -
Sports Direct confident after strong year
22 April 2010
Sports Direct said it was on track to achieve full year underlying EBITDA of at least £160m as sales in the nine weeks to March 28 grew 2.9% to £214m. -
Simon Wolfson lined up for seat in the Lords
21 April 2010
The Conservative government has put Next chief executive Simon Wolfson on a list of proposed peers prompting speculation that Wolfson might be being lined up for a job if David Cameron wins the election. -
Next chief's pay doubles after £1m bonus
19 April 2010
Next chief executive Simon Wolfson’s pay almost doubled last year after he received a £1m performance bonus. -
Gap sales continue to grow
8 April 2010
Gap sales have continued to improve both in the US and internationally with like-for-like sales in March ahead 11% across the group compared to an 8% fall for the same month last year. -
Findel chairman Keith Chapman steps down
6 April 2010
Keith Chapman the chairman of Findel, the home shopping group behind sports etailer Kitbag.com, has stepped down from his role at the business. -
Shop Direct names Gareth Jones as retail director
1 April 2010
Shop Direct Group has promoted Gareth Jones to oversee all of its brands as retail director. -
Sports Direct pulls out of Blacks bid over supplier concerns
31 March 2010
Sports Direct has pulled out of bidding for Blacks Leisure amid concerns that the outdoor retailer’s suppliers would not agree to work with the sportswear retailer if its acquisition attempt was successful. -
UK households £6 a week worse off than last year
31 March 2010
The average UK household was 3.8% worse off in February than a year ago as weaker earnings and inflationary pressures hit discretionary income. -
Faith considers management buyout as 'for sale' flag raised
29 March 2010
Footwear retailer Faith has hired advisers to run a sale which is likely to lead to a management buyout backed by private equity. -
Sports Direct considers improved offer for Blacks
29 March 2010
Blacks Leisure has confirmed it received a letter from Sports Direct last week indicating that it would consider upping its offer for the outdoor chain. -
JJB director of retail and product retires
25 March 2010
JJB Sports has today announced the retirement of its director of retail and product Colin Tranter after less than a year at the company. -
JoJo Maman Bebe founder named businesswoman of the year
24 March 2010
The founder of maternity and childrenswear retailer JoJo Maman Bebe, Laura Tenison, has been named Veuve Clicquot businesswoman of the year. -
Ann Summers to expand product range
22 March 2010
Ann Summers is expanding its offer with the launch of cosmetics and swimwear ranges which will go into stores next month. -
Theo Paphitis to set up rival chain to La Senza
22 March 2010
Former La Senza owner and Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis is setting up a lingerie chain which will go head-to-head with his former business. -
Blacks suppliers threaten boycott if Sports Direct takes control
15 March 2010
Suppliers to Blacks Leisure have threatened to boycott the outdoor chain if Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct successfully bids for the business. -
Richemont makes £350m bid approach for Net-a-Porter
15 March 2010
Net-a-Porter has received a bid approach from shareholder Swiss luxury group Richemont, which would value the luxury etailer at about £350m. -
Fat Face owner injects new capital to secure future growth
11 March 2010
Fat Face owner Bridgepoint has injected £8.5m into the lifestyle retailer to fund its expansion plans, it has emerged. -
Sports Direct mulls bid for Blacks
2 March 2010
Sports Direct, the sportswear chain, is considering making a bid for outdoor specialist Blacks Leisure after blocking its proposed fundraising plans. -
Gap reveals online plans and plots entry into Italy
26 February 2010
Gap has confirmed it plans to bring a direct ecommerce offer for both its eponymous fascia and Banana Republic to the UK later this year. -
Adili to delist as deal is agreed with investor
25 February 2010
Investor Luke Heron is to buy ethical etailer Adili and the retailer will be delisted from AIM. -
Sports Direct acquires Blacks stake to derail rescue plans
23 February 2010
UPDATED: Sports Direct, the sportswear chain, succeeded yesterday in acquiring the rights to a disputed 29% stake in rival sportswear chain Blacks Leisure to vote against its rescue plans. -
Airport retail sales soar on weak pound
23 February 2010
Duty-free shopping and the weakened pound drove sales at London’s airports to their highest levels for a decade last year. -
Endless considers bid for Ethel Austin
15 February 2010
Turnaround specialist Endless is reported to considering a bid for collapsed value retail chain Ethel Austin. -
Supergroup set for float
15 February 2010
Supergroup, the owner of young fashion brand Superdry and retail chain Cult, has announced its intention to raise £125m by floating on the London Stock Exchange. -
Retail industry pledges £1m at Retail Trust Ball
26 January 2010
The retail industry donated £1m to retail charity Retail Trust last night at its annual London Grosvenor House Ball. -
Asos launches plus-size range
22 January 2010
Asos has launched its first plus-size range called Asos Curve. -
Asos appoints marketing director
19 January 2010
Asos has appointed Clare Dobbie marketing director to help grow the etailer’s international arm. -
Adili Christmas sales rise 36%
18 January 2010
Ethical etailer Adili, which now trades as Ascension, said sales for November and December rose 36% year-on-year. -
M and M Direct celebrates strong Christmas performance
18 January 2010
Sales at discount fashion etailer M and M Direct grew 21% in the ten weeks to January 3. -
Asos sales rise 30% at Christmas
18 January 2010
Asos said sales surged 30% year-on-year in the five weeks to January 3. -
Mamas & Papas inks funding deal for international growth
11 January 2010
Maternity and nursery retailer Mamas & Papas has agreed a funding package from HSBC to drive international growth. -
Next beats Christmas hopes
5 January 2010
Next posted a better than expected Christmas sales performance, with like-for-like retail sales ahead 1.6% in the 22 weeks ended Christmas Eve. -
Adili sales fall
10 December 2009
Adili, the ethical retailer has said that sales have dropped below expectations since undergoing a fundraising in August. -
JJB Sports appoints chief executive
10 December 2009
JJB Sports, the sportswear retailer, has appointed Keith Jones, group retail director of electricals retailer DSGi, as chief executive. -
Inditex profits fall 1%
10 December 2009
Profits at Spanish fashion giant Inditex fell 1% in the nine months to October 31 to €831m (£751.4m) after a raft of new openings. -
Primark London flagship records "best ever" day
9 December 2009
Primark’s flagship store in London’s Oxford Street is understood to have had its best ever trading day on Saturday. -
Sports Direct appoints chairman
24 November 2009
Sports Direct, the sportswear retailer founded by controversial tycoon Mike Ashley, has appointed Dr Keith Hellawell as non-executive chairman. -
Next sales ahead of expectations
4 November 2009
Next reported sales ahead of expectations in its third quarter to October 31, with like-for-like sales down 1.3%. -
Tesco fashion site goes live
3 October 2009
Tesco has launched its standalone online fashion shop and hopes that sales will grow to account for 10% of total clothing turnover.
