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Phase Eight receives bid approaches

17 March 2010 | By Amy Shields

Womenswear chain Phase Eight is understood to have received a number of bid approaches.

Marks & Spencer brings forward bonus payments to avoid 50% tax rise

16 March 2010 | By George MacDonald

Marks & Spencer has become the latest retailer to bring forward its bonus payments in order to beat the 50% tax rate being introduced next month.

The weekend newspaper round up: March 13 to 14, 2010

15 March 2010 | By Laura Weir

A round up of the best fashion business stories from the weekend’s newspapers.

Jigsaw sales rise 5.5% in February

15 March 2010 | By Eve Oxberry

Jigsaw said like-for-like sales rose 5.5% in February, due in part to increased concession space at John Lewis, according to reports.

French Connection to sell Nicole Farhi and scale back US retail

15 March 2010 | By George MacDonald

French Connection is selling its loss-making designer label Nicole Farhi and closing most of its eponymous US shops following a strategic review.

Whistles posts £5m loss

10 March 2010 | By Jessica Brown

Whistles reported a pre-tax loss of £5.1m for the year ended January 31, 2009 - its first 12 months under the leadership of former Topshop boss Jane Shepherdson.

Clothing and footwear sales grow in February

9 March 2010 | By Amy Shields

Clothing and footwear sales growth continued in February after the sector benefitted from posptoned January sales.

Signs of spring fail to point to sales uplift for retailers

6 March 2010

Retailers remain cautious about trading prospects in March as shopping patterns continued to be volatile in 2010.

Olsen sets sights on younger shoppers

6 March 2010

Mainstream womenswear brand Olsen is in talks with department store John Lewis to open a raft of concessions as part of a wider retail push for the brand.

The weekend newspaper round up: February 27 to 28, 2010

1 March 2010 | By Eve Oxberry

A round up of the best fashion business stories from the weekend’s newspapers.

Retailers hit by suspension of Sri Lankan trade benefits

16 February 2010 | By Eve Oxberry

Retailers which source product in Sri Lanka could face a 10% hike in the cost of clothing produced in the country following the European Union’s decision to suspend its preferential trade benefits.

Jane Norman ‘turns a corner’ after turbulent year

13 February 2010 | By Amy Shields

Women’s young fashion chain Jane Norman has “turned a corner” and returned to like-for-like growth after a turbulent year in which EBITDA halved

Internaçionale cuts buying team

30 January 2010

Value retailer Internaçionale has made a string of redundancies at its London buying office and appointed a new head of merchandising.

Benetton launches model search for autumn 10 campaign

28 January 2010 | By Eve Oxberry

Benetton will launch its autumn 10 international marketing campaign next month, beginning with online castings for models of all races.

Sir David Jones steps down as JJB chairman

28 January 2010 | By Jennifer Creevy

JJB Sports chairman Sir David Jones is to step down from his role at the sportswear retailer due to ill health.

M&S loses clothing share to Asda, Tesco and Primark

23 January 2010 | By Jennifer Creevy

Marks & Spencer lost total clothing volume and value market share over the last year, while George at Asda, Tesco and Primark all gained ground.

Early success inspires Mint Velvet retail push

23 January 2010 | By Lisa Berwin

Womenswear retailer Mint Velvet is to ramp up its presence across the country after sales in its first three months of trading “exceeded expectations”.

M&Co like-for-like Christmas sales climb 11.1%

20 January 2010 | By Eve Oxberry

M&Co, the value retailer, reported like-for-like sales rose 11.1% for the nine weeks to January 2, driven by a strong consumer reaction to its revamped womenswear range.