Drapers
Ruth Faulkner

Ruth is an experienced B2B news journalist having worked in both the environmental and grocery sectors for different publications before joining Drapers to cover the fashion sector. Prior to starting at Drapers in February 2011, Ruth worked for supermarket and FMCG trade title The Grocer where she covered companies including M&S, Waitrose and Ocado. At Drapers Ruth covers the womenswear, footwear and lingerie sectors for the newsdesk and has developed a particular interest in the footwear industry. This year she is working on the re-launch of the Drapers Footwear & Accessories awards and will also be present at all the major footwear tradeshows.

Crocs showcases new retail concept with opening of Cardiff store

28 May 2012
Moulded footwear brand Crocs has showcased its new retail design concept for the UK with the opening of its first store in Wales.
Johnstons of Elgin open visitor centre at Hawick site

28 May 2012
Scottish cashmere and woollen brand Johnstons of Elgin has opened a new visitor centre at its Eastfield Mills site in Hawick on the Scottish Borders.
Uniqlo unveils Novak Djokovic as brand ambassador

28 May 2012
Japanese fast fashion retailer Uniqlo has unveiled tennis player Novak Djokovic as its global brand ambassador.
Monsoon pays founder £30m in dividends

28 May 2012
Fashion group Monsoon Accessorize paid its founder more than £30m in dividends last year and is now debt free.
Can MBT ever return to glory?

25 May 2012
I have to admit that MBT is not a brand I have ever really thought too much about until now. Yes, I was aware of its existence but like many other people, before I started covering footwear for Drapers, I knew them only as “those slightly strange looking shoes that are supposed to be good for toning and if you have back problems.”
Footwear shoppers decline

25 May 2012
The number of shoppers buying footwear has fallen by 13.9% between 2007 and 2011, the equivalent of 5.5m shoppers.
Contour Ball raises £52,000 for charity

25 May 2012
The lingerie industry’s Contour Fashion Ball raised £52,000 for charities the Retail Trust and the Fashion and Textile Children’s Trust at an event held in London last night.
LK Bennett sets its sights on the US as it secures £16m funding package

25 May 2012
Upmarket clothing and footwear retailer LK Bennett has secured a new £16m credit facility from Lloyds Banking Group which it will use to accelerate international expansion, including the US.
Fashion sales rise just 2% at John Lewis

25 May 2012
Fashion sales grew by just 2% at department store John Lewis in the week to May 19 as the wet weather continued to affect sales of new summer ranges.
Irisa’s Jacques Vert rebrand puts Luton office under threat

26 May 2012
Mainstream womenswear business Irisa Group has been rebranded as Jacques Vert ahead of a potential relocation of its Luton office that has seen 200 staff put under consultation.
MBT ‘has no future’ if no saviour is found for Swiss owner

26 May 2012
The administrator of comfort footwear brand MBT has warned that if a buyer is not found for the business’s Swiss parent company within a matter of weeks, the brand will not have a future.
Harvey Nicks hosts Stills concession

26 May 2012
Contemporary womenswear brand Stills is moving into retail by opening its first UK concession in Harvey Nichols’ London store in September.
Signs of recovery raise hopes in Ireland

26 May 2012
Rising tourist numbers and demand for investment pieces are driving a recovery in Ireland – and sales forecasts for the next few years give more cause for cautious optimism.
IMAGE GALLERY: Christian Louboutin launches iPhone app

23 May 2012
Luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin has launched its first app for iPhone and iPad, to provide users with an interactive experience for the brand.
Fashion Fringe finalists revealed

23 May 2012
Aspiring designers Haizhen Wang, Tieja Eilola and Vita Gottlieb have been selected by Burberry chief creative officer Christopher Bailey as the finalists for this year’s Fashion Fringe award.
MBT UK slips into administration

22 May 2012
Masai GB Ltd, the UK arm of comfort footwear brand MBT, has fallen into administration.
Juicy Couture to relocate London flagship

22 May 2012
Young fashion brand Juicy Couture is to relocate its London flagship store to Regent Street in mid-July.
Urban Outfitters profits drop but sales exceed expectations

22 May 2012
US lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters posted a 12.1% drop in profits for the three months to April 30 although sales in the quarter exceeded the company’s expectations.
University of Westminster links-up with Asos Marketplace

21 May 2012
Fashion design students from the University of Westminster will sell their designs via etail giant Asos from June 1.
First round bids received for iconic Dr Martens brand

21 May 2012
First round bids for Dr Martens have been submitted by private equity firms looking to snap up the British-owned footwear brand.
Style Passport receives investment

21 May 2012
Style Passport, the website providing clothing and accessories for holidays, has received a £500,000 investment from the Government’s Business Angel Co-Investment Fund.
Menswear drives fashion sales at John Lewis

18 May 2012
Menswear was the star performer in the week to May 12 at John Lewis, driving fashion sales up 6.9%.
HoF puts best foot forward

18 May 2012
I, for one, was quite excited to learn of House of Fraser’s plans for the new World of Shoes in its Oxford Street store which is set to open in time for the Jubilee weekend on June 1.
HoF stepping up footwear offer with World of Shoes in Oxford St

19 May 2012
House of Fraser will become the latest department store to ramp up its footwear offer with the launch of a new concept called World of Shoes in its flagship Oxford Street store on June 1.
Oasis sources British fabrics for heritage-inspired range

19 May 2012
Womenswear retailer Oasis is to launch a heritage-inspired range using fabrics sourced from a British mill for the first time in 10 years.
Base London to reclaim lost youth

19 May 2012
Men’s footwear brand Base London is returning to its young fashion roots with the launch of an advertising campaign in June.
Clarks unveils new look Maddison Avenue store

17 May 2012
Footwear giant Clarks has unveiled its global store design concept at its New York flagship on Madison Avenue.
Q&A: Gwynn Milligan, trading director, Reiss

16 May 2012
Reiss appointed former Cocosa managing director Gwynn Milligan to the newly-created role of trading director last week (May 9). Here Milligan talks to Drapers about her new role.
Hobbs merchandise and production director steps down

16 May 2012
Susan Millin, merchandise and production director at womenswear retailer Hobbs, has left the business.
Mou looks to double stockists following Ugg repositioning

15 May 2012
Sheepskin boot brand Mou is aiming to double its number of UK stockists, capitalising on Ugg having recently axed several of its key wholesale accounts.
Jane Norman appoints buying and merchandising director

15 May 2012
Women’s young fashion retailer Jane Norman has appointed Sarah O’Shea to the role of buying and merchandising director.
Selfridges named world's number one department store

15 May 2012
Selfridges has been named the world’s top department store by the Intercontinental Group of Department Stores (IGDS) for the second time.
Kurt Geiger signs long-term deal with Manolo Blahnik

14 May 2012
Premium footwear retailer Kurt Geiger is teaming up with footwear designer Manolo Blahnik to create and manage boutiques within the footwear departments it operates in Harrods and Liberty.
Schuh launches French website

14 May 2012
Branded footwear retailer Schuh has launched a French version of its website today as part of its first steps into the European market.
Hobbs reports 7.4% increase in turnover despite challenging market conditions

14 May 2012
Womenswear retailer Hobbs has reported a 7.4% increase in turnover for the full-year to Janaury 28, 2012 despite a “challenging” market.
Tod's first quarter revenues rise

11 May 2012
Luxury goods maker Tod’s has reported an 8% rise in revenues to €263.2m (£211.2m) for the first quarter of this year, driven by strong sales in Asia and the US.
Levi's opens Paris flagship

11 May 2012
Denim brand Levi’s is to open a flagship store in Paris today, it’s second largest store in Europe.
Fashion at John Lewis driven by sales of outerwear and umbrellas

11 May 2012
John Lewis reported a 4.6% increase in fashion sales in the week to May 5, 2012, with umbrellas and outerwear selling particularly well.
Outwear and umbrellas drive strong week for John Lewis

11 May 2012
John Lewis reported a “strong” week buoyed by a 4.6% increase in fashion sales.
MBT’s bankrupt owner says brand’s UK future not under threat

12 May 2012
The parent company of comfort footwear brand MBT has sought to reassure UK stockists about the brand’s future after filing for bankruptcy last week.
Clarks: Home deliveries won’t hurt indies

12 May 2012
Footwear giant Clarks has defended the home-delivery option for its kids’ footwear collections as an additional channel through which consumers can access the product.
New Shoon owner vows stability within a year

12 May 2012
The new owner of footwear retailer Shoon has said it is confident the business can be returned to growth within the next two years.
Footwear’s finest

9 May 2012
Last Thursday saw the Drapers Footwear and Accessories awards take place at London’s Grosvenor House hotel and what an event it was.
Superdry opens largest US store yet in Times Square

9 May 2012
Young fashion brand Superdry is to open its largest store in the US today - a 14,000 sq ft flagship store in Times Square, New York.
Fashion Fringe semi-finalists named

9 May 2012
Young designers Cornel Bolt, Vita Gottlieb and Haizhen Wang are among the ten Fashion Fringe 2012 award semi-finalists.
John Lewis to consider stores in China

8 May 2012
John Lewis is exploring the possibility of opening stores outside of the UK and is considering China as a potential location.
Shoon rescued from administration in MBO deal

8 May 2012
Family owned footwear retailer Shoon has been sold to its existing management as part of a buyout supported by restructuring specialist GA Europe.
Schuh and Attic Boutique land top gongs at Awards

5 May 2012
Schuh claimed the coveted title of High Street Footwear Retailer of the Year at this year’s Drapers Footwear & Accessories Awards, held this week.
Third-party brands to spice up River Island womenswear

5 May 2012
River Island is to follow in the footsteps of its high street rivals by introducing third-party womenswear brands.
PwC appointment mooted as Hobbs readies for global push

5 May 2012
Hobbs will embark on a major international push following the expected appointment of corporate adviser PricewaterhouseCoopers this week.
Forward march

5 May 2012
Since starting as a Saturday boy, Harvey Jacobson has built a formidable footwear empire – and all while remaining an ‘absolute gentleman’.
Women are seeking that special something

5 May 2012
Last year’s royal wedding proved to be a match made in heaven for occasionwear sales, and shoppers’ love affair with these investment pieces keeps getting stronger.
My-Wardrobe to launch men's footwear library

3 May 2012
Premium etailer My-Wardrobe is to launch its biggest ever collection of men’s footwear from tomorrow.
Isabella Oliver 365 to be reborn as Baukjen

3 May 2012
Maternity and womenswear etailer Isabella Oliver will rebrand its women’s ready-to-wear collection from autumn 12, separating it from the maternitywear offer.
Stewart Binnie steps down from Aurora board

2 May 2012
Stewart Binnie, non-executive president of womenswear group Aurora Fashions, has stepped down from the board with immediate effect.
Curvy Kate expands to New Look online and the UAE

2 May 2012
Plus-sized lingerie brand Curvy Kate has expanded its stockist base, announcing the addition of New Look online and its first Dubai-based retailer to its list of wholesale customers.
Collective Brands acquired by Wolverine World Wide

2 May 2012
Collective Brands, the parent company behind footwear brands Keds and Sperry Topsider, has been acquired by Wolverine World Wide and private equity backers Blum Capital and Golden Gate Capital in a $2bn (£1.2bn) deal.
Temperley launches first high street collection at John Lewis

1 May 2012
Alice Temperley has teamed up with John Lewis to launch an exclusive range in what is the designer’s first foray into the high street.
N Brown posts "solid" performance as Figleaves makes first profit

1 May 2012
Home shopping group N Brown has posted a 2.5% rise in pre-tax profits for the full-year to March 3, 2012.
Figleaves expected to post first ever profit

30 April 2012
Lingerie etailer Figleaves is expected to post its first profit when it reports its full-year results tomorrow.
Hobbs appoints advisor for international expansion or sale

30 April 2012
Hobbs has appointed corporate advisor PricewaterhouseCoopers, sparking speculation that the womenswear retailer is preparing for a sale.
Duo in Irisa and Jacques Vert exit

28 April 2012
Womenswear group Irisa and Jacques Vert has made two directors redundant following the merger of the businesses earlier this year.
Ugg insists wholesale is still vital channel

28 April 2012
Ugg Australia has said it remains committed to the future of its wholesale business despite axing several key accounts for autumn 12.
M&S launches instore clothing recycling programme with Oxfam

26 April 2012
The UK’s biggest clothing retailer Marks and Spencer has launched its first instore clothing recycling programme with Oxfam, fronted by Joanna Lumley.
Wonderbra's ecommerce launch will not damage wholesale, says general manager

26 April 2012
Wonderbra has insisted the launch of its first transactional website will not damage relationships with its wholesale customers.
Rocket Dog strengthens team as it targets EU sales blast-off

26 April 2012
Rocket Dog has made three key sales appointments as it bids to grow its UK and European sales by double digits for spring 13.
Aurora rolls out multi-branded sites in the US and Australia

26 April 2012
Fashion group Aurora is to launch multi-branded websites in international territories including the US and Australia following the success of its dedicated German site which launched last year.
Coach Q3 profits rise

25 April 2012
US bag and accessories brand Coach has reported a 21% increase in its third quarter profit for the three months to March 31.
McArthurGlen appoints chief operating officer

25 April 2012
Designer outlet operator McArthurGlen has appointed former Guess European vice-president Stephan Labelle to the newly-created position of chief operating officer.
Best of Britannia event to celebrate UK manufacturing

24 April 2012
Hiut Denim, Mark Powell Bespoke Tailoring and Harris Tweed are among the UK businesses taking part in a showcase of UK-produced brands later this year.
British Fashion Council unveils provisional schedule for London Collections: Men

24 April 2012
Dunhill, Hackett, Belstaff, Burberry, Christopher Kane and Jonathan Saunders are among the names that will take part in the British Fashion Council’s inaugural menswear event London Collections: Men.
Protestors take to Savile Row

23 April 2012
Protestors have turned out in force this morning at the home of British tailoring, Savile Row, to show their anger at the proposed plans for an Abercrombie & Fitch kid’s store on the street.
Uniqlo post losses but will still expand in the UK

23 April 2012
The parent company of Japanese fast fashion retailer Uniqlo, Fast Retailing has posted a UK loss of £9.74m for the year to August 31, 2011 but will still look to expand in the UK.
Benetton chair to hand reigns to his son

23 April 2012
The chairman of Italian fashion group Benetton will step down from the business tomorrow, handing the role to his son.
Mixed messages from M&S

20 April 2012
It seems to have taken a few days for the implications of M&S’s fourth quarter performance to sink in, as City bears have come out in force this morning to take note of what some of the national press described as a “disappointing” set of results for the retailer.
Fashion Fringe last call for entries

20 April 2012
Fashion Fringe, the event which gives up and coming designers the chance of showing at London Fashion Week, will close for entries in seven days’ time.
Kane, Saunders and Fulton vying for Scottish Designer of the Year

20 April 2012
Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders and Holly Fulton are among the six designers vying for the honour of Scottish designer of the year, one of the top accolades of the annual Scottish Fashion Awards whcih will take place in June.
A Suit That Fits measures up for John Lewis tailoring service

21 April 2012
Tailoring etailer A Suit That Fits is moving onto the high street with the launch of a made-to-measure tailoring service in John Lewis.
Indies get on board with etail portal Miinto.com

21 April 2012
Indies including The Dressing Room, Pamela Shiffer and Psyche have signed up to ecommerce portal Miinto.com, which launched in the UK last week.
eBay launches new spring ad campaign

19 April 2012
Online marketplace etailer eBay has launched a spring advertising campaign to showcase brands which are now retailing on the site.
Mephisto launches revamped website in five languages

18 April 2012
French comfort footwear brand Mephisto has relaunched its website in five foreign languages.
American Eagle opens in Japan

18 April 2012
US young fashion chain American Eagle is to open its first two stores in Japan this week, starting with a large-scale flagship in Tokyo today.
Flannels to review selling fur after protestors disrupt fashion show

17 April 2012
Designer indie mini-chain Flannels is reviewing whether or not to sell fur after it was the subject of anti-fur protests at its Manchester Fashion Week catwalk show last week.
Tommy Hilfiger to open Japanese flagship

16 April 2012
Luxury label Tommy Hilfiger is to open a flagship store in Tokyo, Japan later this week.
Wholesale sector feels Olympic pressure

14 April 2012
As London limbers up for the Olympics, trade shows and showrooms in the capital are shifting their schedules and locations to avoid a logistical nightmare.
Uniqlo to expand in the US

12 April 2012
Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo is to expand its US presence with the opening of a fourth store outside of New York.
Mais il est où le Soleil? eyes UK revival

12 April 2012
The new owner of mainstream Belgian womenswear brand Mais il est où le Soleil? has vowed to secure up to 200 stockists for the brand in the UK following its administration earlier this year.
Mango to focus on Russia and China as turnover rises 11% in 2011

12 April 2012
Spanish womenswear chain Mango said turnover increased by 11% in 2011 to €1.4bn (£1.15bn) as it continues to focus on the Russian and Chinese markets.
Gieves & Hawkes to be acquired by licensee Trinity in £60m deal

11 April 2012
Saville Row men’s tailoring business Gieves & Hawkes is to be acquired by its Chinese licensee Hong Kong menswear company Trinity in a deal which could be worth up to £60m.
Orlebar Brown to open in West End ahead of retail expansion

11 April 2012
Luxury swimwear brand Orlebar Brown is to open a new flagship store on Vigo Street in London’s West End on May 26, ahead of further retail expansion this year.
Christian Louboutin launches European site

11 April 2012
Luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin is to launch a European version of its online boutique today.
Tickets selling fast for Drapers Footwear and Accessories Awards

5 April 2012
Time is running out to book your ticket for this year’s Drapers Footwear and Accessories awards.
Fashion sales dip at John Lewis

5 April 2012
Fashion sales at John Lewis fell 2.2% last week as the department store group honoured its Never Knowingly Undersold commitment and matched prices as its competitor Debenhams went into sale.
Kensington Shoe Event

5 April 2012
Ankle boot styles and wedge heels proved popular at the women’s footwear show at Westbury Hotel in London.
H&M cleared by ASA over Beckham ads

4 April 2012
H&M has been cleared by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after people made complaints about its David Beckham Bodywear ads.
Sole Trader parent reports 12.9% increase in profits

2 April 2012
Twinmar Holdings, the parent company of footwear retailers Sole Trader and Sole, has posted a 4.5% increase in turnover and a 12.9% increase in pre-tax profits for the full-year to June 25, 2011.
Wacoal acquires Eveden Group

30 March 2012
The Eveden Group, the parent company behind lingerie brands Freya, Fantasie, Fauve, Huit, Goddess and Elomi, has been acquired by Japan-based Wacoal Holdings Corporation.
Pentland’s Rubin maps out international future

30 March 2012
Focusing on international markets and multichannel retail is key to the success of the next generation of fashion talent, said Pentland Brands chief executive Andy Rubin.
Indie anger at Clarks’ home deliveries for kids

31 March 2012
The footwear industry has hit out at Clarks, after the business announced it would introduce home delivery for its kids’ collections.
Dune to take over men's footwear at House of Fraser

29 March 2012
Footwear retailer Kurt Geiger is to cease operating the men’s footwear business in five House of Fraser stores from September and will be replaced by the Dune Group.
Dunnes Stores to pay €20m in shopping centre dispute

28 March 2012
Irish department store chain Dunnes Stores has lost its court battle with shopping centre developers Holtglen.
IMAGE GALLERY: Swedish Hasbeens pops-up in Selfridges

27 March 2012
Footwear brand Swedish Hasbeens is to launch a pop-up shop in Selfridges’ Shoe Galleries from today.
Mischa Barton launches clothing site

27 March 2012
Actress turned handbag designer Mischa Barton has launched her own clothing site called Mischa’s Place.
J Crew expands international distribution

23 March 2012
American casualwear retailer J Crew has expanded its international distribution network to 107 countries.
Fashion sales rise at John Lewis

23 March 2012
Fashion sales enjoyed a strong performance last week at John Lewis, up by 16% for the week to March 17.
Bread & Butter ups exhibitor prices for spring 13 edition

23 March 2012
Streetwear trade show Bread & Butter Berlin will increase exhibitor prices for its spring 13 edition, with the cost of floorspace rising 5.5%.
Stockists watch and wait after Ashley grabs Firetrap

23 March 2012
Young fashion indies said they would axe Firetrap if Sports Direct started selling the brand in its stores, after Firetrap owner World Design & Trade (WDT) was snapped up by Mike Ashley’s retail empire last week.
GDS, Düsseldorf

23 March 2012
Boots with hiking details and comfort technology dominated the mainstream footwear show.
Wolverine in first women’s link-up

23 March 2012
New York designer Samantha Pleet has teamed up with footwear brand Wolverine to create its first women’s footwear collaboration.
Topshop to launch click-and-collect

22 March 2012
Topshop is to launch a click-and-collect service by June, according to Topman managing director Dave Shepherd.
Stylistpick moves away from subscription-only model

22 March 2012
Online accessories specialist Stylistpick is to offer customers an alternative payment option to its monthly subscription service.
Five bidders battle for control of Shoon

22 March 2012
A deal for footwear retailer Shoon, which was forced into administration last month, looks to be imminent after its administrator received five offers.
La Senza creditors left out of pocket

21 March 2012
Creditors of the beleaguered high street lingerie chain La Senza have missed out on around £2m after 15 lorry loads of underwear were awarded to La Senza’s freight company rather than to administrator KPMG.
Karen Millen responds to reports over potential trademark infringement

21 March 2012
Womenswear retailer Karen Millen will “take very seriously” any attempts to trade using its name following reports that its founder wants to start trading again, despite her having sold all interests in the business in 2004.
Avenue32 looks to launch across Europe and Asia

21 March 2012
Women’s designer etailer Avenue32 is looking to expand into Europe and Asia, three months after its UK launch.
Harris Tweed orders Zara to change product description

20 March 2012
The Harris Tweed Authority, the custodian of the historic Scottish Harris Tweed fabric, has ordered high street retailer Zara to change the descriptions of one of the garments on its website.
Wolverine appoints new Northern European sales director

19 March 2012
Wolverine Worldwide, the parent company behind footwear brands CAT and Sebago, has appointed a new Northern European sales director for its lifestyle and heritage brands division.
Designer Karen Millen's legal fight to get her label back

19 March 2012
Designer Karen Millen is pursuing legal action against the estate of Kaupthing bank for the way in which she lost her near 7% interest in Mosaic Fashions when the bank went bust in 2008.
Animal

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Block Heels

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Blue

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Brogues

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Chelsea Boots

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Chunky Soles

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Contrast Materials

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Embellishment

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Hiking Details

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Micam Shoevent

16 March 2012
A deluge of popular styles from seasons past meant new footwear trends were in short supply in Milan.
Pointed Courts

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Purple

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Red

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Riding Boots

16 March 2012
Autumn 12
Yoox Group launches footwear site

9 March 2012
Italian etailer Yoox Group has launched a dedicated footwear site, available to the UK market, which carries more than 100 luxury and premium brands.
IMAGE GALLERY: Jeff Banks to launch new footwear range for Debenhams

9 March 2012
British menswear designer Jeff Banks is to launch a range of premium benchmade footwear at department store group Debenhams.
Tonia Bastyan

9 March 2012
After building her brand, Bastyan, via retail concessions since 2009, the designer is moving on to the next stage of her plan, saying autumn 12 ‘is all about wholesale’.
Schuh steps into European online market

8 March 2012
Branded footwear retailer Schuh is to launch a French version of its website in May this year, as it looks to take its first steps into the European market.
Micam gets off to slow start but proves international draw

7 March 2012
Italian footwear tradeshow Micam got off to a slow start this week, but momentum built on the second day of the show, according to exhibitors.
Fashion sales fall at John Lewis

2 March 2012
Fashion sales at John Lewis fell by 3.6% last week after an early half-term the previous week.
Isabel Marant to expand

2 March 2012
French womenswear designer Isabel Marant is to embark on an expansion plan this year, opening six new boutiques worldwide and moving to a bigger head office premises in France.
John Lewis to spend £8m on Oxford Street revamp

2 March 2012
Department store group John Lewis is to invest £8m in a revamp of its flagship Oxford Street store which will include a raft of improvements to its menswear department.
Drapers Footwear & Accessories Awards shortlist unveiled

2 March 2012
The shortlist for the Drapers Footwear & Accessories Awards 2012, which takes place on May 3, has been confirmed including the finalists for the new accessories categories which have been introduced this year.
Gerry Weber reports full-year sales increases

29 February 2012
Mainstream womenswear brand Gerry Weber has reported a 13% increase in sales revenues for its 2010/2011 full-year.
Blackstone and KKR reported to be in race for Billabong

29 February 2012
Private equity firms Blackstone and KKR are reported to have entered the race to buy Australian surfwear brand Billabong.
Buyers hail ‘best ever’ LFW

24 February 2012
Designers praised for producing mature, wearable collections with international commercial appeal.
Mixed reports from ‘quiet’ Moda show

24 February 2012
Buyers attending mainstream trade show Moda in Birmingham this week reported that the event was quiet compared with the autumn 11 edition, despite brands claiming orders were in line with expectations.
BoBelle repositions as luxury bag label

24 February 2012
Leather bag and accessories brand BoBelle London is repositioning as a more upmarket brand, introducing higher-end finishing and pushing up its price points.
Douglas Bensadoun

24 February 2012
After 10 years trading in the UK, the creative director of Canadian footwear retailer Aldo is betting on a link-up with London Fashion Week designers to raise its trend credentials.
James Lakeland to add two UK stores

24 February 2012
James Lakeland is opening two standalone stores and investing in its online business as part of a “refocusing” of the brand following its exit from House of Fraser on Oxford Street in London.
Moda Footwear

24 February 2012
Autumn 12
Moda Lingerie

24 February 2012
Autumn 12
AX Paris to target Asos and Bank with wholesale push

22 February 2012
Young fashion brand AX Paris is to relaunch its wholesale business, having taken on an agent in central London.
Playtex reports sales increase

21 February 2012
Lingerie brand Playtex has reported a 32% sales increase for the first six months of its financial year to December 31, 2011.
IMAGE GALLERY: Piqué continues to front HE by Mango campaign

21 February 2012
Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué is to continue his collaboration with Spanish retailer Mango as he is unveiled as the face of its menswear HE campaign for spring 12 and autumn 12.
M&S launches outlet format online

21 February 2012
Marks and Spencer is launching the outlet format of its stores on to its website for the first time from today.
Victoria Beckham to support UK's fashion heritage

20 February 2012
Victoria Beckham has been signed up by tourism body VisitBritatin to promote Britain’s fashion heritage.
Billabong receives formal approach from TPG

20 February 2012
Private equity backer TPG Capital has today formalised a bid for Australian surfwear brand Billabong thought to be worth AUD $765m (£518m).
Fashion sales just up at John Lewis as cold weather hits

17 February 2012
Fashion sales at department store John Lewis rose 0.3% in the week to February 11 as the retailer was blighted by the colder weather.
Multiple retailers closed 14 stores a day in 2011

17 February 2012
Multiple retailers closed an average of 14 stores a day across the UK, according to the Local Data Company and PWC.
Visitor numbers rise at consolidated Pure

17 February 2012
Attendance at Pure London closed 3% up on last February’s edition as the womenswear show moved back under one roof for the first time since August 2010.
Fabric Mixing

17 February 2012
Autumn 12
3D Knits

17 February 2012
Autumn 12
Chinese shoppers boost Value Retail

17 February 2012
Designer outlet group Value Retail reported a 16% increase in like-for-like sales for the year to December 2011, fuelled by a surge in the number of Chinese visitors to its outlet centres.
Claire Merry & Dee Murren

17 February 2012
Claire Merry and Dee Murren of Dirty Pretty Things tell Ruth Faulkner why 2012 is going to be a big year for the lingerie brand.
Country

17 February 2012
Autumn 12
Metallic

17 February 2012
Autumn 12
Pure Footwear

17 February 2012
With its ever-expanding offer, Pure’s Footwear area served up an eye-catching selection of labels.
Pure news

17 February 2012
Big trends aside, there was lots more going on at Olympia.
Rust

17 February 2012
Autumn 12
Snakeskin

17 February 2012
Autumn 12
Spirit Young Fashion

17 February 2012
The show’s young fashion and short order area made a welcome return to Olympia this season.
The Kate effect

17 February 2012
Autumn 12
Ken Bartle to retire from Jones Bootmaker

15 February 2012
Footwear veteran Ken Bartle is to retire from his role as chief executive of footwear retailer Jones Bootmaker.
HoF unveils details of extended Portas collaboration

15 February 2012
House of Fraser has revealed further details of its continued collaboration with retail guru Mary Portas.
SecretSales receives £6.3m funding boost

14 February 2012
Private sales site SecretSales will expand its sourcing, marketing and technology functions, after receiving a £6.3m funding boost from a syndicate of investors.
Selfridges invests in denim category as sales of jeans increase

14 February 2012
Sales of denim at Selfridges London store are up 27% compared to last year, prompting the retailer to invest in further staff training across the denim category.
Fresh labels top buying list

12 February 2012
Indie buyers on the hunt for ‘new and exciting’ collections as Pure London kicks off with 700 brands.
Advice on preparing 'Portas Pilot' bids

10 February 2012
Retail expert Clare Rayner answers questions on how to go about preparing bids to become a ‘Portas Pilot’ town.
Longchamp reports full-year sales increase

10 February 2012
Luxury French accessories brand Longchamp has announced annual sales of €390m (£327m) in 2011.
Localities battle for ‘Portas pilot’ kudos

10 February 2012
‘Hundreds if not thousands’ of towns are expected to apply for share of £1m.
Stockist list trimmed as Ugg repositions

10 February 2012
Ugg Australia has ended its relationship with at least four national accounts, as part of moves to tighten distribution and reposition as a more premium brand.
Johnstons of Elgin to expand Hawick site as visitor destination

8 February 2012
Scottish cashmere and woollen brand Johnstons of Elgin is to expand its operation in Hawick on the Scottish Borders with the opening a visitor centre, café and retail outlet at their Eastfield Mills site.
High cotton prices forces income drop for Levi's

8 February 2012
Denim giant Levi Strauss & Co has announced a drop in net income for the full-year ended November 27, 2011, blaming high cotton prices.
LVMH boosted by 16% revenue growth

3 February 2012
LVMH has posted a 16% increase in revenues for the full-year to December 31, 2011 - testament to the continuing strength of the luxury goods market.
Newness drives fashion sales at John Lewis

3 February 2012
Fashion sales at high street bellwether John Lewis saw a “pleasing uplift” last week, up 5.2% in the week to January 28.
Bastyan targets 25 stockists for autumn wholesale debut

3 February 2012
Contemporary womenswear brand Bastyan is making its first foray into wholesale for autumn 12.
Dolcis to regain its footing via wholesale

3 February 2012
Footwear brand Dolcis will be relaunched for spring 13 on a wholesale-only basis.
Ruth Runberg

3 February 2012
The buying director of Browns crossed the Atlantic to join the designer indie, where only the best of the best is good enough to keep her ‘global luxury customer’ happy.
Office to invest £1m online ahead of international launch

2 February 2012
Footwear retailer Office is to invest £1m in its online business as it prepares to revamp its website and launch overseas.
House of Fraser Oxford Street axes 14 brands in womenswear overhaul

1 February 2012
House of Fraser’s Oxford Street flagship has axed 14 of its womenswear labels, including longstanding brand James Lakeland, in a major overhaul of its womenswear department.
Portas to extend collaboration with HoF

1 February 2012
Retail guru Mary Portas will launch four more Mary & House of Fraser shop-in-shops, continuing her collaboration with UK department store group.
Wolverine smashes full-year forecast

31 January 2012
Footwear group Wolverine, the parent company of footwear brands CAT, Sebago and Merrell, has beaten its fourth quarter and full-year estimates.
Star-studded Retail Trust Ball raises over £1m

31 January 2012
More than £1m was raised for the Retail Trust charity at The Retail Trust Ball held at Grosvenor House hotel in London last night.
Footwear and Accessories awards deadline extended

30 January 2012
The deadline for entries for the Drapers Footwear & Accessories awards, honouring the best in the footwear and accessories industry, has been extended until this Friday, February 3.
Benetton deputy chair crowned top business entrepreneur

30 January 2012
The executive deputy chairman of Italian fashion group Benetton has been awarded a top business accolade for his contribution to the Benetton business.
Agent Provocateur like-for-likes climb over Christmas

30 January 2012
Luxury lingerie chain Agent Provocateur has reported an 8.1% increase in like-for-like sales over the key Christmas trading period.
Douglas Hood departs William Hunt

27 January 2012
Douglas Hood, sales manager at Saville Row tailor William Hunt has left the business.
BFC show shakes up menswear calendar

27 January 2012
Capital’s new menswear event will usurp Pitti Uomo by kicking off the season.
Grayers chooses John Lewis for exclusive launch into UK

27 January 2012
A men’s casualwear brand, Grayers, is being launched by former top names from Ralph Lauren and J Crew and will be sold exclusively by department store John Lewis in the UK.
Best returns to Radley as Mason and Gaede depart

25 January 2012
Former Radley chief executive Roger Best is to return to the handbag and accessories brand as chairman and interim chief executive following two key departures.
Louboutin YSL dispute reaches appeal court

25 January 2012
The dispute between luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin and Yves Saint Laurent over the use of red-soled shoes was heard yesterday at the appeals court in New York.
Coach posts jump in Q2 profits

25 January 2012
US bag and accessories brand Coach has posted a 14.5% jump in its second quarter profits to $347.5m (£223.4m) up from $303.4m (£195.1m) in the same period last year.
Final deadline for Etail Awards imminent

24 January 2012
All entries for the PayPal Etail Awards, honouring the best in online retailing, must be submitted by the end of this week as the entry deadline has been extended until January 27.
EXCLUSIVE: Alexa Chung unveiled as creative director and face of Superga SS12 campaign

24 January 2012
Italian plimsoll brand Superga has unveiled model and presenter Alexa Chung as the creative director and face of its spring 12 campaign.
Sun European combines Irisa and Jacques Vert businesses

23 January 2012
Private equity owner Sun European Partners has merged the two mainstream womenswear businesses Jacques Vert and Irisa with immediate effect.
Net-a-Porter makes three key appointments

23 January 2012
Luxury etailer Net-a-Porter has announced appointments for the three key roles of fashion director, group head of brand relations and a newly-created group publishing director position.
Credit insurer will not extend cover for UK retail sector

23 January 2012
Europe’s biggest trade credit insurance company Euler Hermes has said it will not extend levels of cover to the UK retail sector.
BFC to launch London Menswear showcase

23 January 2012
The British Fashion Council will launch a London menswear showcase in June for the spring 13 season.
Administrators request money from Life & Style directors

20 January 2012
The joint administrators of defunct fashion and homewares chain Life & Style have requested that the retailer’s previous directors return money they “incorrectly used” or face the threat of court action.
Topshop to continue sponsorship of Newgen

20 January 2012
High street retailer Topshop has announced that it is to continue to sponsor the British Fashion Council’s Newgen scheme.
Shoedazzle UK to close after four months

20 January 2012
The UK arm of Shoedazzle, the online footwear, handbag and jewellery styling service co-founded by US reality TV star Kim Kardashian, is to close.
Shapps: Portas’s recommendations alone are not enough to save UK’s high streets

20 January 2012
Action beyond the recommendations set out in Mary Portas’s review is needed if the UK’s high streets are to recover quicker, according to housing minister Grant Shapps.
Firetrap adds kids’ range and capsule collection

20 January 2012
Young fashion brand Firetrap’s pricing architecture will be expanded for autumn 12 with the launch of a more fashion-forward capsule range.
Europe boss reviews Rocket Dog stockists

20 January 2012
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.
Former Day Birger head of design launches own label

20 January 2012
The former head of design at Day Birger et Mikkelsen, Michala Wiesneck, is launching her own brand for autumn 12.
Hereford Apparel up for business award

20 January 2012
Clothing manufacturer Hereford Apparel has been shortlisted as a finalist in a local business competition fronted by Dragons’ Den entrepreneur Deborah Meaden.
IMAGE GALLERY: Kelly Brook to launch lingerie range in New Look

19 January 2012
Model and presenter Kelly Brook is to launch a range of lingerie in young fashion retailer New Look.
Linea Raffaelli appoints UK agent for the first time

19 January 2012
Belgian occasionwear brand Linea Raffaelli has appointed a sales agent in the UK for the first time.
Crocs snaps up La Senza's Chan

19 January 2012
Footwear brand and retailer Crocs has hired former La Senza retail operations director Ann Chan to join as European retail director.
VIDEO: Dunhill launches videos to celebrate Olympics

18 January 2012
Menswear brand Dunhill has launched the first in a series of videos with British Olympians to mark the lead-up to the 2012 Games.
Aldo Rise collection launches exclusively in Selfridges

18 January 2012
Canadian footwear retailer Aldo has launched its fashion week collaborations programme Aldo Rise as a collection in London’s Selfridges.
MPs to debate Portas review in Parliament

17 January 2012
MPs will meet in Parliament later today to debate Mary Portas’ review on the future of the high streets.
Jaeger looks to China as profits dip

16 January 2012
Premium retailer Jaeger has posted a £1.4m fall in pre-tax profits for the year to February 28, 2011.
IMAGE GALLERY: Burberry autumn 12 menswear

16 January 2012
Burberry, the British luxury brand, unveiled its autumn 12 menswear collection at Milan men’s fashion week yesterday ahead of its Q3 trading update tomorrow.
Milan men's fashion week begins tomorrow

13 January 2012
Milan men’s fashion week gets underway tomorrow, kicking off the autumn 12 season, with organisers expecting 10,000 visitors from around the world to the four day event.
‘Strategic approach’ vital on discounting

13 January 2012
Analysts predict more permanent price cuts rather than regular promotions.
John Lewis chases trend-led women with JL Weekend label

13 January 2012
John Lewis will add to its women’s casualwear offer with next month’s launch of its first trend-led casualwear own label.
Beyond Skin adds accessories range

13 January 2012
Ethical footwear brand Beyond Skin has launched a range of accessories on its website with the intention of expanding and wholesaling the range for spring 13.
IMAGE GALLERY: Uniqlo to collaborate with Laura Ashley

12 January 2012
Japanese retailer Uniqlo will launch a range of women’s t-shirts, stoles and tunics with fashion and furnishings group Laura Ashley, all of which will feature the UK retailer’s classic floral prints.
Urban Outfitters chief executive resigns

12 January 2012
Glen Senk chief executive of US lifestyle retail group Urban Outfitters has stepped down to be replaced by the company’s founder and president Richard Hayne.
Portas continues collaboration with Clarks

11 January 2012
High street guru Mary Portas’ second collection with footwear retailer Clarks will launch on February 13.
Marks & Spencer clothing sales rise 1.1% at Christmas

10 January 2012
Clothing sales at Marks & Spencer increased 1.1% in the 13 weeks to December 31, as the retailer said it recorded its biggest ever quarter in kidswear.
La Senza sold to Alshaya UK

9 January 2012
Troubled lingerie chain La Senza has been sold to the UK division of Middle Eastern trading house Alshaya following a pre-pack administration.
La Senza's Williams speaks out about her resignation

9 January 2012
Beverley Williams, commercial director of beleaguered lingerie chain La Senza, has responded to reports, saying her decision to leave the business had nothing to do with the appointment of KPMG.
Daily Round-Up: Blacks goes into administration; Rebbeca Singleton departs Sainsbury's; Self-cleaning technology for clothes; Religion new store

6 January 2012
From around the web and the nationals:
Blue Inc buys 20 D2 stores

6 January 2012
Young fashion menswear retailer Blue Inc has bought 20 D2 stores out of administration saving in the region of 200 jobs on the high street.
IMAGE GALLERY: Bastyan to launch collaboration collection

6 January 2012
Contemporary womenswear label Bastyan is launching its first collaboration collection which will be available from March.
Ruby Rocks to open London showroom

6 January 2012
Young fashion womenswear brand Ruby Rocks is to open a London-based showroom for the first time.
Last-minute shoppers bring festive cheer to high street

6 January 2012
Multiples and indies report strong sales in run-up to Christmas, but remain cautious about 2012.
La Senza to axe more than half of its stores

6 January 2012
Lingerie retailer La Senza is to close 81 of its 146 stores after filing notice of its intention to appoint an administrator on December 23.
Fashion Rocks retail business is placed into administration

5 January 2012
The retail subsidiary of premium young fashion business Fashion Rocks has been placed into administration by its new owners, forcing the closure of its two standalone stores and etail business.
Strong sales in sportswear division sees strong like-for-like sales growth at Schuh

5 January 2012
Branded footwear retailer Schuh says an 11.5% rise in like-for-like sales in its last financial year is down to a strong performance in sportswear division and having the right product mix.
IMAGE GALLERY: David Beckham Bodywear range for H&M

4 January 2012
Swedish fashion giant H&M has unveiled the first pictures of David Beckham’s bodywear range which the retailer will sell exclusively from February 2.
New luxury handbag brand to launch in UK

4 January 2012
British luxury handbag brand Aubrey will make its debut later this month, launching in stores including John Lewis, Harrods, Fenwick and Arnotts.
Gola Classics switches direction for new ad campaign

4 January 2012
British sportswear brand Gola Classics is to launch a new advertising campaign at streetwear tradeshow Bread & Butter in Berlin on January 18
Esska relaunches website in a bid to increase sales

3 January 2012
Young fashion footwear brand Esska has relaunched its UK website as it looks to drive 10% of its total turnover from its online business by 2013.
La Senza to shut 81 stores amid concerns suppliers could be left out of pocket

3 January 2012
Lingerie retailer La Senza has said it is to close 81 of its 146 stores after announcing before Christmas that it was to go into administration.
Curvy Kate launches videos to promote continuity lines

30 December 2011
Plus-size lingerie brand Curvy Kate has released a selection of catwalk videos to promote its continuity lines to its retailers.
James Lakeland to bring Sfizio to the UK

29 December 2011
Mainstream womenswear designer James Lakeland is to become the official distributor of Italian brand Sfizio in the UK for autumn 12.
Outlook remains tough for small retailers

28 December 2011
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.
Footfall up as shoppers make last minute purchases

20 December 2011
Footfall increased during the week ending December 18, up by 10.7% compared to the previous week.
Aurora bolsters online team

16 December 2011
Aurora Fashions has made four high-profile appointments across its Warehouse, Coast and Oasis chains to improve design, marketing and ecommerce functions.
Douglas Cordeaux

16 December 2011
With the support of TV Dragon Deborah Meaden, Fox Brothers’ managing director ensured the survival of the Somerset mill. Now he wants to secure its long-term future.
Daily Round Up: Vera Wang moves into menswear; H&M November sales rise; Curvy Kate launches Smoothie Bra and ONS figures

15 December 2011
From around the web and the nationals
IMAGE GALLERY: Fantasie celebrates 10 years of Belle

15 December 2011
Lingerie brand Fantasie marked 10 years since the launch of its most popular lingerie collection, Belle, by asking its stockists to promote the anniversary in their windows as part of a competition.
Robert Graham to wholesale denim line in the UK

15 December 2011
US-based premium menswear brand Robert Graham is to begin wholesaling its denim range in the UK for autumn 12.
Christmas on a "knife edge" as footfall dips last week

15 December 2011
High street footfall increased during the week commencing November 28 up by 15.6% year-on-year but this boost was short-lived as this figure dipped again the following week down 2.6% compared to the same week the previous year.
IMAGE GALLERY: Bally opens new stores in Hong Kong and Dubai

14 December 2011
Luxury accessories brand Bally has opened two new stores in Hong Kong and Dubai.
International markets bolster Deborah Meaden's luxury goods site sales

13 December 2011
The Merchant Fox, the luxury accessories site owned by Deborah Meaden, has attributed 50% of its sales in its first month to demand from overseas markets.
Daily Round Up: Zara's misleading Chinese labels; American Apparel financing; COS launch; Christian Dior; Hallett Retail and more

13 December 2011
From around the web and the nationals
VIDEO: LK Bennett launches accessories emblem

13 December 2011
Premium womenswear retailer LK Bennett has developed an emblem, which will be featured on all of its accessories, starting with its range of bags.
Daily Round Up: Supergroup; UK Manufacturing; John Lewis; West End Shoppers; ASOS; Victoria Quarter

12 December 2011
From around the web and the nationals
VIDEO: All Saints releases UK manufacturing film

12 December 2011
Young fashion chain All Saints has launched a short documentary film designed to promote British design and manufacturing.
American Vogue launches online archive

9 December 2011
Vogue has today unveiled the launch of the Vogue Archive, an online archive of every issue of American Vogue from 1892 to the present day.
Aurora rolls out Anywhere Everywhere stock management system

9 December 2011
Aurora Fashions, the parent company of womenswear chains Oasis, Coast and Warehouse, has launched a decentralised stock management system for its three brands that can fulfill orders from any of its stores.
Fashion Rocks sells faltering retail arm

9 December 2011
Premium young fashion retailer and music business Fashion Rocks has sold its retail and etail subsidiaries to a private investment business amid concerns over footfall at its Westfield Stratford store.
Clive Reeve

9 December 2011
After a three-year stint at Arcadia, Reeve has made a happy return to Oasis, where he is determined to bring back a sense of fun and playfulness to the womenswear chain.
Daily Round Up: White Company; Blacks; Christmas Bargains; Design Commission; Gola; Voi Jeans; Prabal Gurung

7 December 2011
From around the web and the nationals
Irisa wields axe on a third of its standalone stores

2 December 2011
Mainstream womenswear retailer Irisa Group is to close almost a third of its standalone stores over the next few months and replace them with concessions.
Coolway opens first UK store in London

2 December 2011
Spanish footwear and accessories retailer Coolway has opened its first UK store ahead of a European roll-out next year.
Gary Malamet

2 December 2011
It’s full steam ahead in the UK for nautical footwear brand Sebago, says its vice president, who expects its first standalone stores to do wonders for its profile.
Kat Maconie to collaborate with Dune

1 December 2011
Footwear retailer Dune is to collaborate with British footwear designer Kat Maconie to create a capsule collection for spring 12.
MBT in UK retail push

1 December 2011
Wellness footwear brand MBT is to reduce its wholesale stockist base in the UK by 20% over the next year as it shifts its focus to retail.
Daily Round Up: M&S; Autumn Statement; Reiss; Prada; Christmas Shopping; Duck & Cover; Fashion Bloodhound

30 November 2011
From around the web and the nationals
Deckers invests in UK-based SEO for the first time

29 November 2011
Deckers UK has appointed a digital search agency for the first time to help it raise visibility for two of its brands’ UK websites.
British Fashion Awards 2011: Image Gallery, Video and Winners

29 November 2011
Alexander McQueen creative director Sarah Burton walked away with the top gong at last night’s prestigious British Fashion Awards.
Sharp growth in online shopping is levelling off

28 November 2011
The sharp growth in online shopping is levelling off, according to research based on the transactions of 39m customers across 205 home shopping brands over the last five years.
Sales at TM Lewin push past £100m barrier as it eyes international growth

28 November 2011
Shirt specialist TM Lewin reported a sales increase of 20% to £100.4m, pushing past the £100m barrier for the first time in the company’s history, for the year ended February 26, 2011.
IMAGE GALLERY: Ultimo new Christmas campagin

25 November 2011
Lingerie brand Ultimo has unveiled its Christmas campaign featuring Argentinian actress Luisana Lopilato, the girlfriend of singer Michael Bublé.
News Q&A: Eve Davies, brand director, Start-rite

25 November 2011
Eve Davies joined kid’s footwear brand Start-rite in the newly created position of brand director last month. She talks to Drapers about her plans for the business.
Jacket Required to size up bigger venue

25 November 2011
Trade show Jacket Required will relocate to a larger venue in February after outgrowing its original site in Shoreditch, east London.
Kurt Geiger hunting to fill two key roles

25 November 2011
Kurt Geiger is looking to fill two pivotal positions following the departures of its head of ecommerce and head of men’s buying.
Suppliers remain undecided over M&S refurb payments

25 November 2011
Marks & Spencer suppliers are split over whether they will agree to pay a contribution towards the retailer’s store refit programme, despite some hoping that collective action will prompt the retailer to withdraw.
Longchamp to launch online web series

24 November 2011
Luxury accessories brand Longchamp has joined the likes of Burberry and Mango by using online content to increase awareness of the brand.
Daily Round Up: Supergroup; Stella McCartney, Debenhams; Adidas; George at Asda; Marc Jacobs; DKNY

22 November 2011
From around the web and the nationals
Suppliers refuse M&S demands

21 November 2011
Suppliers asked by retailer Marks & Spencer for a contribution to help fund its £600m store refurbishment programme are understood to have refused to pay.
Fashion sales dip at John Lewis as warm weather continues

18 November 2011
The warmer weather has been blamed for a dip in fashion sales at John Lewis last week.
‘Village’ shop is Ted Baker’s new address at Bluewater

18 November 2011
Ted Baker has relocated its Bluewater store to a larger site that features a one-off store concept based on a fictional Kent village called Tedbury.
Local knowledge key to global expansion, say top retailers

18 November 2011
The key to successful global expansion is for a brand or retailer to understand the nuances of other markets while not compromising the integrity of the brand, according to three international retailers.
Triumph stockists in exclusivity row

18 November 2011
Lingerie indies in Scotland are calling on Triumph to clarify its positioning on brand exclusivity following a lack of communication about rival stockists.
H&M website crashes under demand for Versace collection

17 November 2011
The launch of Donatella Versace’s eagerly anticipated collection for H&M caused the company’s website to crash this morning.
IMAGE GALLERY: SIXby6bloggers footwear collaboration

17 November 2011
London-based footwear design studio SIX and online fashion marketplace farfetch.com have collaborated with six influential fashion bloggers to create an exclusive range of limited edition footwear.
Templeman and Alexander honoured at Drapers Awards

17 November 2011
Former Debehams chief executive Rob Templeman is this year’s winner of the Drapers Fashion Awards lifetime achievement award.
Drapers Fashion Summit

16 November 2011
First-day delegates’ of this year’s Drapers Fashion Summit discuss some of the key topic, translating products for international markets; the future of retail and what makes a brand.
Mellon and Schulman to leave Jimmy Choo

14 November 2011
Tamara Mellon the founder and chief creative officer of luxury footwear label Jimmy Choo is to leave the business with immediate effect.
Panache

11 November 2011
Best known for its Superbras, the lingerie brand is raising its game with a new sports bra.
Peter Jones to sell menswear one-offs

11 November 2011
John Lewis will launch a range of exclusive branded menswear pieces in its Peter Jones store this month, as it looks to cash in on the heritage trend and attract more male customers to the London Sloane Square store.
Sale stock takes up a quarter of high street

11 November 2011
Research shows extent of retailers’ promotional strategies throughout 2011.
IMAGE GALLERY: New Balance celebrates 30 years of Schuh

10 November 2011
Trainer brand New Balance has released two limited edition trainers in association with branded footwear retailer Schuh to mark the retailer’s 30th birthday celebrations.
EBITDA soars at Kurt Geiger

10 November 2011
Premium footwear retailer Kurt Geiger saw EBITDA rise 38.7% to £18.8m for the full-year to 29 January, 2011 while like-for-like sales rose 16% during the period.
French lingerie brand Lejaby placed into receivership

8 November 2011
French lingerie brand Lejaby has been placed into judicial receivership by a French court after cash flow difficulties caused the company to apply for a receivership procedure at the end of last month.
General merchandise sales fall at M&S

8 November 2011
Marks & Spencer has posted a drop in pre-tax profit for the 26 weeks to October 1, 2011 as sales of general merchandise, including clothing fell.
Radley appoints brand director

7 November 2011
Premium handbag and accessories brand Radley & Co has appointed former Warehouse marketing director Lorraine Pringle as its first brand director, as the brand looks to ramp up its UK and international standing.
VIDEO: M&S screens new Christmas TV ad featuring X Factor contestants

7 November 2011
Marks & Spencer unveiled its new Christmas TV advert last night (November 6), featuring the X Factor contestants.
Deckers MD departs amid reorganisation

4 November 2011
Nick Vance, UK managing director at Deckers UK, parent company of footwear brands Ugg Australia and Teva, has been made redundant after just four months in the post.
Hobbs creates 300 jobs as profits soar

4 November 2011
Hobbs’ pre-tax profits soared 137% in the year to January 29 as it recorded like-for-like sales growth of 10% and announced 300 new jobs.
Max Studio to make UK debut in London

4 November 2011
Upmarket US womenswear retail group Max Studio is to open its first UK standalone store on London’s Westbourne Grove after a year’s search for a suitable location.
Nü by Staff Woman

4 November 2011
It may stick to the same palette each season, but this Danish brand still pulls off a distinctive look.
Sales agent is half the price of rivals

4 November 2011
New womenswear agent Nightingale plans to undercut other agencies by offering brands a 6% commission rate – less than half the standard fee.
Heritage footwear brand Loake to open first store

2 November 2011
Northamptonshire heritage footwear manufacturer Loake is to open its first bricks and mortar store later this month as it looks to strengthen its position in the UK market and support its stockists.
River Island launches international shipping

1 November 2011
Young fashion retailer River Island has introduced international shipping from its website from today (November 1).
Adidas flagship introduces virtual shopping wall

1 November 2011
German sportswear brand Adidas has unveiled its first Virtual Footwear Wall at its Oxford Street flagship store.
Abercrombie & Fitch to open Spanish store

1 November 2011
American casualwear retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is to open its first store in Spain on Thursday (November 3).
Salvatore Ferragamo to expand presence in South America

1 November 2011
Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo is to expand its presence in Latin America as it looks to tap into the growing luxury market there.
Aurora-backed Bastyan brand to open pop-up store

31 October 2011
Contemporary womenswear label Bastyan, which is backed by Coast, Warehouse and Oasis owner Aurora Fashions, is to open a pop-up store.
Satchel brands set for ‘copycat’ battle

28 October 2011
Leather satchel brand The Cambridge Satchel Company has made a claim against rival brand Zatchels for infringement of intellectual property rights.
Staff take Mandarin lessons at Selfridges

28 October 2011
Chinese language training is being given to staff at Selfridges in Manchester to help capitalise on the rising number of Chinese shoppers visiting the store.
American Apparel loses chief development officer after seven months

27 October 2011
Beleaguered US fashion chain American Apparel has lost its chief development officer after just seven months in the post.
Kurt Geiger acquisition boosts Jones Group profits

27 October 2011
US brand house Jones Group has posted 42.4% increase in profits for its third quarter, helped in part by the acquisition of premium UK footwear retailer Kurt Geiger earlier this year.
Online footwear retailer Rubbersole acquired by European competitor

25 October 2011
Online branded footwear store, Rubbersole, has been acquired by its European competitor Spartoo.
Ugg Australia to open London flagship in Knightsbridge

25 October 2011
Sheepskin boot brand Ugg Australia is to open a flagship store in the UK in London’s Knightsbridge in November.
Timberland owner posts rise in income in Q3

25 October 2011
VF Corporation, the US-based owner of denim brands Wrangler and 7 For All Mankind, has posted a 23.9% rise in net income for the third quarter of 2011.
Urban Outfitters removes Navajo name from products following complaints

24 October 2011
US lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters has removed the word ‘Navajo’ from product names on its website following complaints.
Sergio Rossi reopens refurbed London flagship

24 October 2011
Sergio Rossi, the Italian luxury footwear and accessories brand, has reopened its London flagship store on Sloane Street with a new design concept following a refurbishment.
Winners of WGSN Global Fashion Awards revealed

24 October 2011
The WGSN Global Fashion Awards took place in New York on Thursday night with H&M, Acne, Erdem and Net-a-Porter all scooping prizes.
Olympics forces Pure London date to shift to mid-August

21 October 2011
Womenswear trade show Pure London has pushed back the dateline of its August 2012 edition by two weeks to avoid clashing with the Olympic Games.
UK luxury goods site launched by Dragon

21 October 2011
Entrepreneur and star of TV show Dragons’ Den Deborah Meaden has thrown her weight behind UK manufacturing with the launch of an etailer selling UK-manufactured luxury goods.
Curvy Kate launches at Debenhams

19 October 2011
Department store Debenhams has added plus-size lingerie brand Curvy Kate to its online brand portfolio.
Skechers to launch dedicated UK website

19 October 2011
US footwear brand Skechers is to launch its first transactional website in the UK at the beginning of November.
Barratts Priceless appoints managing director and chairman

19 October 2011
Barratts Priceless, owner of footwear chains Barratts and Priceless, has appointed brand director John Hood to the role of managing director with immediate effect.
H&M like-for-like sales dip 7%

18 October 2011
Swedish young fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has reported a 7% drop in like-for-like sales for September.
Wonderbra chooses Slovakian model Adriana Cernanova as new face

18 October 2011
Lingerie brand Wonderbra has unveiled Slovakian-born model Adriana Cernanova as its new face.
LVMH posts 18% hike in sales

18 October 2011
French luxury goods group LVMH has shrugged off the economic uncertainty and said it was optimistic for the rest of the year after it posted a 17.6% rise in third-quarter sales.
UK factory receives M&S eco award

17 October 2011
A Derbyshire-based factory has received an award from retailer Marks and Spencer.
Jack Wills profits jump as it focuses on US expansion

17 October 2011
Preppy young fashion chain Jack Wills has posted an increase in pre-tax profits of £3.8m for the year to January 31.
Rising costs and tough trading cause Clarks’ profits to tumble

14 October 2011
Footwear retailer Clarks has blamed a 21% slump in pre-tax profits on a combination of difficult UK trading conditions, higher product costs and a rise in promotional activity.
Aurora launches first multi-brand site

12 October 2011
Fashion group Aurora Fashions, the company behind womenswear chains Oasis, Warehouse and Coast, has rolled out its first website selling all three of its brands with the launch of its first dedicated international website in Germany today.
Jones Group looks to sell jeanswear division

12 October 2011
US brand house Jones Group, owner of UK footwear retailer Kurt Geiger, is rreportedly in discussions to sell its jeanswear division.
Profits dip at Uniqlo parent company

12 October 2011
Fast Retailing, the parent company of Japanese fast-fashion retailer Uniqlo, said that its full-year net profit dipped 12%.
New Look to sell Caprice's lingerie brand

11 October 2011
Fast-fashion retailer New Look is to introduce By Caprice lingerie to its website as part of its move into the branded market.
Marks & Spencer appoints non-exec director and launches French website

11 October 2011
Marks & Spencer has appointed Waterstone’s chairman Miranda Curtis as a non-executive director to its board.
Hermès becomes first luxury brand to open at street-level in India

11 October 2011
French luxury brand Hermès has opened its first standalone store in Mumbai making it the first luxury brand to open a street-level store in India.
Supplier fury over retailers’ demands

7 October 2011
Jane Norman threatens to axe orders while M&S asks for revamp payments.
Hero of the Highlands

7 October 2011
Johnstons of Elgin has been making textiles since 1810, so it’s no wonder it counts luxury labels among its clients.
Nobuo Domae

7 October 2011
The group executive vice-president of Uniqlo’s parent company on why London is the centre of its UK ambitions and how its classic lines and innovation will see off its competitors.
Giorgio Armani launches online global flagship

5 October 2011
Italian luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani has today launched its first global online flagship store.
Avenue 32 bolsters team with Mullaney

30 September 2011
Former Browns buying director Erin Mullaney has joined Avenue 32, a members-only etailer set to launch in November.
Escada Sport plans rapid wholesale expansion in UK

30 September 2011
Escada Sport, the sub-brand from German luxury womenswear brand Escada, has laid down plans to almost double its number of wholesale stockists by 2014.
Micam Spring 12

30 September 2011
Brands played it bold with colour and snakeskin, but natural materials were also key for next season
Spanish brand Xti coming to the UK

30 September 2011
Spanish young fashion footwear brand Xti is to launch in the UK for the first time for spring 12.
Sunny forecast puts the gloom into the high street

30 September 2011
Retailers take a further hit as Indian summer adds to decline in sales of clothing and footwear
Freya teams up with MOBO Awards

29 September 2011
Plus sized lingerie brand Freya, part of the Eveden Group, is teaming up with this year’s MOBO Awards to run a bra booth backstage at the awards ceremony.
Reebok to settle £15.9m complaint

29 September 2011
Sportswear brand Reebok has agreed to pay $25m (£15.9m) in consumer refunds in the US after the Federal Trade Commission alleged that it deceived consumers.
H&M third quarter profits fall

29 September 2011
Swedish young fashion chain Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) has reported that net profits fell 15% for the three months ended August 31.
Sun European and Debenhams in the race to buy Alexon

28 September 2011
Private equity firm Sun European Partners is thought to be the front runner to acquire troubled mainstream womenswear group Alexon.
Pepe Jeans prepares for resurgence in the US

28 September 2011
London-based denim brand Pepe Jeans has bought back the rights to its name and trademark in the US and Canada.
Original Penguin listed as Cool Brand

28 September 2011
US lifestyle brand Original Penguin has been shortlisted as one of the UK’s coolest brands for 2011/2012.
DB Apparel freezes prices until autumn 2012

28 September 2011
DB Apparel, the lingerie company behind brands Wonderbra, Playtex and Shock Absorber, has frozen prices on all product lines until autumn 2012.
Whistles returns to the black

27 September 2011
Whistles has returned to profit for the year to January 2011 and is “back on track” with its plans to revitalise the womenswear chain.
Helly Hansen posts record financial results

27 September 2011
Norweigan-based outdoor clothing group Helly Hansen has reported a profit of NOK 33m (£33.4m) for the financial year to 31 December 2010.
Brand shortlist unveiled for Drapers Fashion Awards 2011

26 September 2011
The shortlist of brands nominated for the 2011 Drapers Fashion Awards has been unveiled today.
Patrick Cox collaborates with Geox for spring 12

26 September 2011
Italian footwear brand Geox has teamed up with British footwear designer Patrick Cox to launch a capsule collection for spring 12.
Value Retail to open discount shopping village in China

26 September 2011
Value Retail, the company behind discount shopping outlets Bicester Village in Oxfordshire and Kildare Village in Ireland, is to open its first outlet in China.
London Fashion Week: The vital statistics

23 September 2011
Organisers of London Fashion Week, the British Fashion Council, has highlighted the success of the spring 12 season edition with the news that over 5000 visitors attended.
D&G to merge with Dolce & Gabbana

22 September 2011
Premium brand Dolce & Gabbana has confirmed that it will merge its diffusion line D&G into its signature line from next season.
Jigsaw chief executive resigns

22 September 2011
Des Swan, the chief executive of Robinson Webster Holdings, the parent company behind womenswear chains Jigsaw, Kew 159 and Cabbages & Roses, has resigned.
Biba launches lingerie

22 September 2011
British brand Biba, which is sold in department store House of Fraser, has launched a lingerie collection this week.
Louboutin opens menswear store

22 September 2011
Luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin has opened its first store exclusively for men.
Sebago to open first London store on Regent Street

21 September 2011
Nautical footwear brand Sebago is to open its first store in London later this year.
Collective Brands signs global distribution deals

21 September 2011
Collective Brands, the company behind footwear brands Sperry Top-Sider, Keds and Pro-Keds, is to expand its retail distribution internationally to territories including Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and Spain.
Ralph Lauren signs deal to be official patron of Open Championship

21 September 2011
Premium lifestyle brand and retailer Ralph Lauren has signed a five year partnership with golf’s governing body, the R&A, to become an official patron of golf’s Open Championship.
Brands and buyers buoyant on opening day of Micam

19 September 2011
Buyers and brands at footwear trade show Micam were in a buoyant mood on the show’s opening day.
Basler to roll out partner stores in UK retail push

16 September 2011
Mainstream womenswear brand Basler has laid down plans for retail expansion in the UK, including a roll-out of further partner stores.
GDS

16 September 2011
Comfort footwear specialists blended technology with trend-led options at the Düsseldorf show.
M&S showcases new store concept for sub-brands

16 September 2011
A journey from “labels to brands” is what Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland set out to achieve through his overhaul of the retailer’s fashion offer.
High street price increases slow fashion sales

15 September 2011
Shoppers are finding it increasingly hard to keep up with the latest fashion trends due to increases in clothing prices, according to research.
Arnotts to launch new accessories hall

15 September 2011
Luxury US accessories brand Coach is to launch in Ireland for the first time with a section in Dublin-based department store Arnotts’ new accessories hall.
Regatta to open 400,000 sq ft distribution centre

15 September 2011
Regatta, the outdoor clothing and footwear group, has unveiled plans for a new distribution centre in Cheshire to support the continuing growth of its global business.
Louis Vuitton announces new chief executive

15 September 2011
French luxury label Louis Vuitton has announced the appointment of a new chief executive effective from the end of 2012.
VF Corporation shakes up Timberland management following deal completion

14 September 2011
VF Corporation, the US-based owner of denim brands Wrangler and 7 For All Mankind, has made a number of mangement changes following the completion of its $2.3bn (£1.46bn) acquisition of footwear and outdoor clothing brand Timberland.
Marc Jacobs talks with Dior rumoured to have stalled

13 September 2011
Negotiations between Marc Jacobs and French fashion house Christian Dior over the Louis Vuitton creative director taking the top design role at the brand are said to be proving difficult.
Ralph Lauren names Giorgio Armani exec as European group president

13 September 2011
Premium lifestyle brand and retailer Ralph Lauren has appointed John Hooks as group president in Europe, replacing Brian Duffy.
IMAGE GALLERY: M&S unveils new format store

12 September 2011
Marks & Spencer has unveiled the first of its new-format pilot stores which are designed to better showcase individual brands and make stores easier to navigate.
Hot Tuna appoints new executive chairman

9 September 2011
Surfwear brand Hot Tuna as announced the appointment of a new executive chairman with immediate effect.
Alexon calls in KPMG to consider restructuring options

9 September 2011
Alexon Group has appointed KPMG as restructuring specialists to help it turn round its performance.
Schoolwear helps boost strong week for fashion sales at John Lewis

9 September 2011
Fashion sales enjoyed a solid performance at department store John Lewis this week, up 7.7% in the week to September 3, compared to the same week last year.
Retail goes high-tech at Westfield Stratford

9 September 2011
New store concepts and technological advances showcase shopping’s future.
Royal Elastics aims for 50 stockists

9 September 2011
Footwear brand Royal Elastics is relaunching in the UK for spring 12 and wants to increase its number of stockists tenfold to 50.
VIDEO: M&S Unveils new autumn TV ads

7 September 2011
Retailer Marks & Spencer has unveiled a first look at its new womenswear autumn TV ads which are due to be screened on ITV1 from tonight (September 7).
Ellesse to relaunch in the US

7 September 2011
Footwear and sportswear company the Pentland Group, has named newly formed Ellesse NA as the exclusive licensee for footwear, accessories and apparel for its Ellesse brand in the US market.
Jimmy Choo buys out Hong Kong operations

7 September 2011
Luxury footwear and accessories label Jimmy Choo has taken control of its Hong Kong operations.
Tod's announces Anne Hathaway as face of Signature collection

7 September 2011
Luxury goods maker Tod’s has unveiled Hollywood actress Anne Hathaway as the face of it’s new Signature range.
Austin Reed to showcase new concept in Regent Street flagship relocation

6 September 2011
Menswear chain Austin Reed has said that its new Regent Street flagship store will present the brand’s vision for the future.
Peacock Group takes Bonmarché off the market

5 September 2011
The Peacock Group is said to have taken mainstream womenswear chain Bonmarché off the market.
Alexon Group in takeover talks as it issues profits warning

5 September 2011
Alexon Group is considering possible takeovers of the company as it issues a profits warning.
Frank Usher and Dusk fail to return

2 September 2011
The future of occasionwear brands Frank Usher and Dusk is unclear following new owner Roman Originals’ failure to relaunch the brands for spring 12 as planned.
IMAGE GALLERY: Eden Park announces Toby Flood as official brand ambassador

31 August 2011
Lifestyle brand Eden Park has revealed that England rugby international number 10, Toby Flood, will be the new ambassador for the brand.
All Saints to launch T-shirt line to support anti-human trafficking

31 August 2011
Young fashion retailer All Saints has launched a partnership with anti-human trafficking group, Not For Sale to tackle the issue of forced labour.
Fashion retailers report "flat" bank holiday trading

31 August 2011
Bank holiday trading was as patchy as the weather, according to high street retailers and indies with autumn stock and online sales offering bright spots in an otherwise flat weekend.
American Apparel offered refinancing options

31 August 2011
Struggling US fashion chain American Apparel is reported to have been approached by a private equity firm offering to refinance its debt.
Selfridges to launch first sleepsuit for men

30 August 2011
Department store group Selfridges is launching Britain’s first sleepsuit for men in response to what it claims is a growing demand for all-in-one pyjamas.
La Senza considers restructure

30 August 2011
Lingerie chain La Senza is reported to be considering plans to restructure its retail business in a move that would allow it to close or sell some of its poorly-performing stores.
Salvatore Ferragamo posts rise in first-half profits

30 August 2011
Italian luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo has posted a 32.4% rise in net profits for the first half of the year, ended June 30.
Womenswear boosts fashion sales at John Lewis

26 August 2011
A strong performance in womenswear boosted fashion sales at John Lewis last week.
New Rigby & Peller owner eyes UK and global growth

26 August 2011
The new owner of premium lingerie retailer Rigby & Peller is planning to open two UK stores a year from 2012 and expand the business overseas.
River Island to promote its UK production with new branding

26 August 2011
Young fashion retailer River Island will flag up its British manufacturing credentials for the first time by introducing swing tickets on products made in the UK.
Tony Linford

26 August 2011
The managing director of comfort footwear brand Van Dal’s parent company explains why he wants to build a closer relationship with indie stockists.
Vero Moda announces Alexa Chung as new face

24 August 2011
Young fashion brand and retailer Vero Moda has unveiled model and TV presenter Alexa Chung as its new face.
Lady Gaga "wearable" fashion line rumoured

24 August 2011
Pop phenomenon Lady Gaga is rumoured to be in talks to launch a fashion line together with her younger sister Natali Germanotta.
Ugg Australia concept store launches in Selfridges kid's department

24 August 2011
Sheepskin boot giant Ugg Australia has opened a concept store within the Step2wo kid’s footwear concession at London’s Selfridges.
Amplified to launch unisex footwear range

24 August 2011
Streetwear brand Amplified is to launch a unisex footwear range which will be sold exclusively to three key accounts from October.
John Lewis to launch biggest outdoor fashion advertising campaign

24 August 2011
John Lewis is launching its biggest outdoor advertising campaign for fashion in terms of both spend and coverage on September 5.
Jacques Vert chief executive takes pay cut

23 August 2011
The chief executive of maninstream womenswear group Jacques Vert received an 18% pay cut last year.
Everywoman in Retail finalists include big names from world of fashion

23 August 2011
The finalists of this year’s Specsavers Everywoman in Retail Awards have been announced and include some big names from the world of fashion.
M&S announces second phase of sustainable cotton project

23 August 2011
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the second phase of its Better Cotton project designed to help improve the lives of cotton farmers and their families.
Oliver Bonas founder attacked by rioters

22 August 2011
The founder of fashion and lifestyle retailer Oliver Bonas has spoken of being attacked during the London riots as he confronted a group of looters.
Louboutin YSL lawsuit placed on hold

22 August 2011
Luxury footwear designer Christian Louboutin has had his lawsuit against Yves Saint Laurent placed on hold.
Helmut Lang to open first UK standalone store

22 August 2011
Premium label Helmut Lang will open its first standalone store in the UK on September 1.
Riots prompt 147% rise in insurance quotes

19 August 2011
Last week saw a 147% increase in demand for insurance quotes from fashion retailers because of the riots.
Moda Footwear

19 August 2011
Men’s footwear brands tapped into heritage looks, nautical influences and sports styling
Moda Menswear

19 August 2011
Preppy, heritage and ocean-inspired trends took centre stage in Moda’s menswear hall
LVMH to invest $25m in C&K in India

18 August 2011
LVMH, the French luxury goods group behind brands including Louis Vuitton, Celine, Dior and Marc Jacobs, is to invest $25m (£15.1m) in its premium brand Charles and Keith (C&K) in India.
Moda visitor numbers fall

18 August 2011
Mainstream trade show Moda closed 3% down on visitor numbers compared to the same season last year.
Rigby & Peller sold to Van de Velde

17 August 2011
Lingerie business Rigby & Peller has sold an 87% majority stake to Belgian lingerie business Van de Velde for an undisclosed sum leaving previous owners, the Kenton family, with a minority 13% holding.
Debenhams reveals major Indian expansion plans

17 August 2011
Department store Debenhams has revealed major expansion plans for India, according to reports.
London beats New York to become fashion capital in survey

17 August 2011
London has overtaken New York as the world’s fashion capital for 2011, according to a new survey.
Skechers sued for $10m

17 August 2011
Footwear brand Skechers has been sued for $10m (£6.08m) for allegedly exploiting models.
Abercrombie & Fitch tries to stifle Jersey Shore effect

17 August 2011
American casualwear giant Abercrombie & Fitch has offered compensation to one of the stars of MTV’s hit reality TV show, Jersey Shore, to stop wearing its clothes.
Cos to open two new stores in London

16 August 2011
Premium retailer Cos is to open two new stores in London this autumn.
Isabel Marant to open first London store

16 August 2011
French contemporary womenswear brand Isabel Marant is to open its first standalone store in the UK on London’s Bruton Street.
Urban Outfitters sees decline in Q2 profit

16 August 2011
US lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters has seen a 20.9% decline in its second quarter net income.
Pure Footwear

12 August 2011
Block heels and wedges dominate women’s footwear, as the palette takes a bold direction
Mina UK targets US via forward order

12 August 2011
Women’s young fashion label Mina UK is launching its first forward-order collection in a bid to break into the North American market.
Pure attendance hit by London rioting

12 August 2011
Visitors stay away on third day after year-on-year rise over first two days.
Pure Spirit

12 August 2011
Trend-led young fashion brands served up shots of colour and eye-catching prints for autumn 11 and spring 12
Isabella Oliver sees record growth in July

11 August 2011
Maternity and womenswear designer Isabella Oliver has reported a 100% year-on-year increase in sales for the month of July.
Pro-anorexia T-shirt ads are banned

10 August 2011
Adverts for a kid’s T-shirt said to carry a pro-anorexia slogan have been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Theory chief executive dies age 60

10 August 2011
The global chief executive of contemporary US brand Theory has died of stomach cancer at the age of 60.
PPR increases stake in Puma

9 August 2011
French luxury group PPR, the business behind brands including Gucci, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen, has increased its stake in sportswear brand Puma.
American Apparel narrows losses in Q2

9 August 2011
Struggling US fashion chain American Apparel has reported that it has narrowed losses for the three months ended June 30.
Brands bouyant on opening day of Pure's 30th season

8 August 2011
Brands and buyers at womenswear trade show Pure London and younger directional show Pure Spirit were in a bouyant mood yesterday on the opening day of the 30th season of the show.
J Crew eyes international expansion

8 August 2011
US-based casualwear brand J Crew has set its sights on international expansion with the news that it is considering stores in the UK with up to nine units over the next few years.
Jigsaw wants piece of menswear market

5 August 2011
Spring 12 relaunch is first collection since 1999 and will go into 20 stores
Kenneth Cole records a drop in Q2 profits

4 August 2011
American contemporary brand and retailer Kenneth Cole has posted a 38.2% decline in profit for the second quarter to June 30.
England rugby international joins Front Up board

3 August 2011
Rugby-inspired lifestyle brand Front Up Rugby has announced that England rugby international James Haskell has invested in the business and is joing the Board as an executive director.
Alan Paine knitwear range plays it cool

29 July 2011
Heritage men’s knitwear brand Alan Paine is introducing an innovative range for spring 12 that is designed to keep the wearer cool in hot weather.
Bristol store a barometer for Oliver Bonas expansion plan

29 July 2011
Contemporary fashion and lifestyle retailer Oliver Bonas is to expand outside its M25 heartland by opening a store in Bristol.
New US subsidiary to drive Basler growth

28 July 2011
German mainstream womenswear brand Basler has set up a US subsidiary as it looks to drive its expansion in the country.
Jones Group reports increase in revenues

28 July 2011
US retail giant Jones Group has recorded a 3.2% increase in revenues for the three months to July 2.
H&M to team up with David Beckham

28 July 2011
Swedish fashion giant H&M has announced a long-term partnership with David Beckham to exclusively sell his new Bodywear line from February next year.
Retail employment falls 0.4%

28 July 2011
Retail employment fell by 0.4% in the second quarter of this year, compared to the same period last year. The latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) show there were 3,100 fewer full-time retail jobs during the period.
LVMH posts strong first-half performance

27 July 2011
LVMH, the French luxury goods group behind brands including Louis Vuitton, Celine, Dior and Marc Jacobs, has recorded a 25% increase in first-half profits for the six months ended June 30.
Former BCBG Max Azria president to join Halston

26 July 2011
Beleaguered luxury womenswear brand Halston has appointed the former president of contemporary womenswear label BCBG Max Azria, Ben Malka, as its chairman and chief executive.
American Apparel to launch online eBay shop

26 July 2011
US fashion chain American Apparel is to launch an e-commerce shop on eBay in September in an effort to expand its distribution base beyond its own stores.
French burka ban sees rise in overseas shoppers in London

25 July 2011
London retailers are benefitting from the French burka ban as more Middle Eastern visitors are said to be heading to the capital instead of Paris.
Calvin Klein's Tracy Campbell to join Eveden

25 July 2011
Lingerie group Eveden has announced that former Calvin Klein national account manager Tracy Campbell will join its Huit brand as sales manager for the UK.
Agent Motiv brings two brands to UK

22 July 2011
London agent Motiv will represent two newly launched brands in the UK and Republic of Ireland for spring 12 – diffusion label Pierre Balmain and women’s denim range Naomi Campbell for Fiorucci.
John Lewis ramps up design collaborations

22 July 2011
John Lewis will continue to drive its womenswear offer in a more contemporary direction with the introduction of new designer collaborations for autumn 11, and is also adding interactive features to its website.
London borough puts retailers on the map

22 July 2011
An online map listing independent retailers in Kensington and Chelsea has gone live.
Passport

22 July 2011
Its JKT range of coats and jackets has added another string to this popular womenswear brand’s bow.
Sticky Fingers’ Made in London range is boost for UK factories

22 July 2011
Mainstream womenswear brand Sticky Fingers has pledged its support for UK manufacturing with the launch of a capsule collection manufactured in London.
Hermès records sales increase for second quarter

19 July 2011
French luxury goods group Hermès recorded an increase in sales of 17.9% for the second quarter of its trading year.
Close to Season show launched by Pure

15 July 2011
Womenswear show creates spin-off event to reflect changing buying habits
Henri Lloyd bolsters team for premium strategy push

15 July 2011
Lifestyle brand Henri Lloyd has made senior appointments to its management team to help it reposition upmarket with an emphasis on heritage pieces and a push into wholesale stockists in the south of the country.
Boux Avenue to open seventh store in Metro Centre

14 July 2011
Boux Avenue, the fledgling lingerie chain owned by retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, is to open its seventh store in September.
Retail Trust announces new chairman

13 July 2011
The Retail Trust has announced the appointment of John Lovering as its new chairman.
M&S gains clothing share, but volumes fall

13 July 2011
Marks & Spencer has said that sales of general merchandise, which includes clothing, for the first quarter of its financial year were up 0.3%.
Womenswear and footwear show no signs of improvement

12 July 2011
Womenswear and footwear were the only categories across the retail sector to show no improvement in like-for-like sales in June. In fact, womenswear recorded its largest fall this year so far.
Zara Phillips to marry in Stewart Parvin gown

11 July 2011
The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips will marry her fiance, England rugby start Mike Tindall, in a wedding gown created by favourite Royal couturier Stewart Parvin.
Mulberry founder to open shopping village

11 July 2011
Roger Saul the founder of Mulberry is to open a designer shopping village alongside the luxury brand’s Somerset-based factory later this month.
Gap to open Athleta standalone stores

11 July 2011
US casualwear giant Gap is to open between eight and 10 Athleta stores in the US following the decision to grow the mail-order business by bricks and mortar stores as well as online sales.
Guess to accelerate kidswear in Europe

11 July 2011
US denim brand and retailer Guess has said it is to speed up expansion plans for its kidswear range in Europe and expects to have 50 dedicated kidswear stores in Europe within two years.
Tracy Lewis

8 July 2011
Eveden Group is best known for its Freya and Fantasie lingerie brands, but overseas its plus-size labels are driving growth. Now its chief executive wants the UK to think big too.
Gap June sales up 5%

7 July 2011
Sales at US-based casualwear giant Gap increased 5% last month compared to June the previous year, according to monthly sales figures released today.
Jacques Vert profits rise

5 July 2011
Mainstream womenswear retail group Jacques Vert has reported a 2.6% rise in sales and a 3.1% rise in pre-tax profits for the 53 weeks ended April 30, 2011 despite a “difficult trading environment”. Margins were eroded slightly.
Rocket Dog to launch range of bags for spring 12

4 July 2011
Rocket Dog, the US-based women’s footwear brand, has signed a three-year licensing deal with Luton-based DSL Licensing to produce a collection of Rocket Dog accessories for European markets from spring 12.
John Lewis ramps up men’s formalwear

1 July 2011
John Lewis will increase its own-label men’s formalwear offer from September with the launch of three suiting sub-brands.
Schuh to accelerate UK store openings under new owner

1 July 2011
Footwear retailer Schuh will ramp up its openings and almost double its store portfolio after it was sold to US retail group Genesco for £125m last week.
Former Harrods board director heads to Heathrow

29 June 2011
Heathrow airport has announced the appointment of Muriel Zingraff-Shariff, a former board director at Harrods as retail concessions director.
Founder of iconic Desert Boot passes away

29 June 2011
Nathan Clark, original designer of the iconic Clark’s Desert Boot and great grandson of Clark’s founder James Clark has passed away aged 94.
Nike net income rises despite increased pressure on margins

28 June 2011
Sportswear giant Nike has reported a 13.8% rise in fourth quarter earnings compared to the same quarter last year.
Future boss of Bonmarché named, if sale goes ahead

27 June 2011
Duke Street, the private equity group, has lined up a new chief executive for mainstream womenswear retailer Bonmarché, should it complete a purchase of the fashion chain.
Archer Adams to branch out in US

24 June 2011
British menswear label Archer Adams, which has one shop in central London, will open another shop in New York in September.
Ex-Coast boss joins Damsel in a Dress

24 June 2011
Premium womenswear brand Damsel in a Dress has appointed Sian Hession, former Long Tall Sally chief executive and Coast retail director, as retail strategist.
Management team buys out Foot Shop

24 June 2011
Foot Shop, the company behind comfort footwear brand Cosyfeet and specialist footwear retailer Walktall, has been sold to its management for an undisclosed sum.
Schuh sold to US-based Genesco for £125m

23 June 2011
Footwear retailer Schuh has been acquired by US-based retail group Genesco for a £125m sum.
Jack Wills eyes further US expansion

23 June 2011
Young fashion chain Jack Wills is to pursue further expansion into the US after sales at the chains first three US stores proved strong.
Hobbs secures £46.5m of funding to accelerate expansion

23 June 2011
Mainstream womenswear retailer Hobbs has secured £46.5m of funding to accelerate its brand development and retail expansion plans.
John Galliano to stand trial in Paris today

22 June 2011
Designer John Galliano is to stand trial in Paris today on charges of public insult for allegedly using racist and anti-Semitic slurs at a Paris cafe in two separate incidents one in February this year and one in October last year.
Sergio Rossi buys out its franchisee partner in China

21 June 2011
Sergio Rossi, the Italian luxury footwear and accessories brand, has announced that it will buy out five boutiques from its franchisee business in China in September 2011, including Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo and Shenzhen.
Belstaff poaches Burberry's Martin Cooper

21 June 2011
Belstaff, the outerwear brand which was acquired by Swiss luxury goods group Labelux earlier this month, has poached Burberry’s Martin Cooper for the role of chief creative officer.
H&M signs Donatella Versace as guest designer

21 June 2011
Italian designer Donatella Versace will be the next guest designer for Swedish fast-fashion chain H&M.
Levi announces appointment of new chief executive

17 June 2011
Denim giant Levi Strauss & Co has announced the appointment of a new president and chief executive effective from September 1.
Brantano returns to profit after closures

17 June 2011
Out-of-town family footwear retailer Brantano has made a return to profit for the first time since 2005.
Sperry Top-Sider ups lifestyle offer

17 June 2011
Footwear brand Sperry Top-Sider is to double its UK lifestyle business over the next year and launch a transactional website by the end of 2011.
Mulberry full-year profits soar

16 June 2011
Luxury brand and retailer Mulberry has reported a 358% rise in pre-tax profits to £23.3m for the year ended March 31, up from £5.1m in 2010.
High street clothing manufacturer Moreglam goes into administration

15 June 2011
Moreglam, the Leicester-based manufacturing and importing business which supplies several high street retailers including New Look, Republic, Peacocks and Dunnes has hit the buffers.
Net-a-Porter Live goes live

15 June 2011
Luxury etailer Net-a-Porter has launched an interactive feature of its website called Net-a-Porter Live.
Jaeger launches apprenticeship programme

15 June 2011
Premium retailer Jaeger has launched an apprenticeship programme for employees in its retail business and national distribution centre.
Topshop appoints British Vogue's Kate Phelan creative director

14 June 2011
Topshop has appointed Kate Phelan, fashion director of British Vogue, as creative director.
Jimmy Choo launches Icons collection

14 June 2011
Luxury footwear and accessories label Jimmy Choo is to launch a capsule collection to celebrate the company’s 15 years in business.
Matalan sales flat while EBITDA falls

10 June 2011
Value fashion and homewares retailer Matalan said that sales for the full-year to February 26 remained broadly flat while EBITDA fell 7.4% after bing impacted by the snowy weather at the end of the year.
Men's formalwear continues to drive fashion sales for John Lewis

10 June 2011
Men’s formalwear continued to be the strongest selling fashion category at John Lewis as fashion sales rose 1.5% for the week to June 4.
Labelux snaps up Belstaff in £97.9m acquisition

10 June 2011
Labelux, the Swiss luxury goods group which acquired footwear brand Jimmy Choo last month, has added outerwear brand Belstaff to its portfolio following a €110m (£97.9m) transaction.
New owners task Kurt Geiger with Nine West push in Europe

10 June 2011
Kurt Geiger will expand US-based footwear business Nine West in the UK and Europe following Kurt Geiger’s sale to Nine West parent company Jones Group.
New product zones to launch at Moda

8 June 2011
Mainstream trade show Moda is set to launch three contemporary product zones at its upcoming August edition.
Fashion sales fall in May as consumers unwilling to spend

7 June 2011
Sales of clothing and footwear dipped in May, with only occasionwear and tailoring showing some uplift, as customers demonstrated an “unwillingness” to spend and continued to look for special deals and promotions.
Moncler Group sells stake to Eurazeo

6 June 2011
Moncler Group, the luxury sportswear group which owns brands including its eponymous label, Henry Cotton’s, Marina Yachting, Coast Weber & Ahaus and operates a 18CRR81 Cerruti licence, has sold a 45% stake in the group to French-based investment company Eurazeo for €418m (£372.2m).
Jane Norman up for sale

3 June 2011
Jane Norman has been put up for sale, according to reports in the Telegraph.
Men's formalwear provides bright spot as weather impacts fashion sales at John Lewis

3 June 2011
Men’s formalwear provided the only bright spot in what was an otherwise poor week for fashion sales at John Lewis as high summer fashion lines were impacted by the weather.
Boux Avenue loses ecommerce director

3 June 2011
Dan Lumb, the ecommerce director of Boux Avenue, the fledgling lingerie chain owned by retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, has left the business just two months after the website launched and the first store opened.
Kookaï sales slump after repositioning

3 June 2011
Sales at Kookaï UK, the womenswear chain, dropped 30% in the year to August 28 while pre-tax losses held firm during the period at £3.3m.
Off The Record, June 3 2011

3 June 2011
Drapers gets the lowdown on the latest gossip and reports back from the hottest parties and events.
Mango changes logo to appeal to more mature customer

1 June 2011
Spanish young fashion chain Mango has changed its logo as part of a process to revise the company’s image with the aim of appealing to a more mature female customer.
The Outnet launches iPhone app

31 May 2011
Discount designer etailer the Outnet.com is set to launch its first edition iPhone app this week, which rewards users with credit for introducing friends to the site.
My-Wardrobe.com sales soar 96%

31 May 2011
Premium etailer My-Wardrobe.com said sales grew by 96% over the last 12 months.
Dune Group aims to up web sales by 50%

27 May 2011
The Dune Group is to have an ecommerce overhaul.
Mooi promises fresh labels in Kensington

20 May 2011
A premium womenswear indie that aims to bring a sense of exclusivity back to London’s Kensington is set to open on May 25.
Over-35s the target for Hobbs Unlimited

20 May 2011
Mainstream womenswear retailer Hobbs will introduce a more contemporary, trend-led sub-brand aimed at the 35-plus customer to coincide with its 30th anniversary celebrations.
Asda to open George clothing stores in Middle East

16 May 2011
Asda, the grocer, is to open its first George clothing stores overseas in an attempt to build George into a global business.
Quilts, knitwear and shirts boost sales for Barbour

13 May 2011
British heritage brand Barbour grew its sales by 20% in the year to £89.8m December 31 2010, helped by increased demand for its quilted jackets.
Occasionwear boosts fashion sales at John Lewis

13 May 2011
John Lewis had its highest occasionwear sales for four years in the week to May 7, helping fashion to provide the department store chain’s only bright spot as total sales fell by 3% excluding VAT.
Kew to rebrand as Kew 159 as part of contemporary revamp

13 May 2011
Mainstream womenswear retailer Kew is to relaunch with a more contemporary feel to lure trend-conscious shoppers from the likes of Whistles, Reiss and Ted Baker.
Celtic Sheepskin to ramp up production

13 May 2011
Ethical lifestyle business Celtic Sheepskin will expand its UK manufacturing plant and appoint a managing director after receiving a cash injection for a minority stake from private equity firm Piper.
Fashion Fringe reveals 2011 shortlist

11 May 2011
Fashion Fringe, the competition to support up-and-coming British design talent, has announced the candidate shortlist for 2011.
John Lewis appoints finance director

11 May 2011
John Lewis has appointed a new finance director to its management board.
Triumph to relaunch website using new web platform

11 May 2011
Lingerie brand Triumph has moved its UK, German and French websites to a global platform and relaunched its transactional websites in all three countries.
Kurt Geiger launches discount website

10 May 2011
Premium footwear retailer Kurt Geiger has launched its discount website Shoeaholics.com.
Carnaby Street to host its largest ever shopping party

10 May 2011
London’s Carnaby Street is to host its biggest ever shopping party, offering consumers a 20% discount in over 100 shops.
Pete Doherty to collaborate with The Kooples

9 May 2011
Musician and former boyfriend of Kate Moss, Pete Doherty is to launch a collaboration collection with contemporary French clothing brand The Kooples.
Karen Millen eyes major international expansion

9 May 2011
Premium womenswear chain Karen Millen is gearing up for further overseas expansion which it hopes will double group sales over the next five years.
BCBG looking to refinance debt

9 May 2011
BCBG Max Azria, the contemporary womenswear label owned by the US fashion group of the same name, is reported to be looking to secure a $230m (£140m) loan to refinance a portion of its debt.
The Dune Group appoints new international director

9 May 2011
The Dune Group, the footwear business which comprises the Dune chain and former Shoe Studio brands including Pied a Terre and Bertie, has appointed a new international director.
Adidas first quarter profits up 14% in western Europe

6 May 2011
German sportswear giant Adidas said profits rose 14% in western Europe to €1.09bn (£0.9bn) for the first quarter of 2011.
John Lewis fashion sales drop 8.8% despite occasionwear surge

6 May 2011
A surge in sales of fascinators and occasionwear boosted by the “Kate effect” provided a bright spot for John Lewis in the week to Saturday April 30, when total fashion sales dropped 8.8%.
LK Bennett to release limited edition version of 'Kate' shoe

6 May 2011
Premium women’s fashion and footwear chain LK Bennett is to release a limited edition version of its spring 10 wedges after they were worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on the day after her wedding to Prince William.
Key royal wedding trends destined to boost sales

6 May 2011
Huge footfall drop over wedding weekend expected to be offset by rise in trading on occasionwear.
Events that are shaping the occasionwear sector

6 May 2011
As the bunting comes down and the hangovers clear following the wedding of the decade, retailers and brands are left wondering what the rest of this year holds for the occasionwear market.
Monsoon pre-tax profits triple

3 May 2011
Mainstream womenswear retailer Monsoon said that pre-tax profits more than tripled to £98.2m for the year to August 28, 2010, up from £27.9m the previous year.
Profits increase at VF Corp

3 May 2011
Profits at VF Corporation, the branded fashion house behind brands such as The North Face, Seven for all Mankind, Vans, Wrangler and Lee has reported a 12% rise in first quarter profits to $1.96bn (£1.18bn) for the three months ended March 31.
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.
Puma first quarter sales soar

27 April 2011
German sportswear giant Puma grew sales by 13.2% to €773m (£689.2m) in the three months to March 31.
Dr Martens launches clothing line

27 April 2011
Footwear brand Dr Martens has launched a ready-to-wear clothing collection influenced by its footwear heritage.
Joules to record profits leap and denies sale of stake

26 April 2011
Lifestyle brand and retailer Joules has delivered a 27% like-for-like sales increase in year to April, according to founder Tom Joule.
Marks & Spencer bids for kidswear market share in tie-up with ITV

21 April 2011
Marks & Spencer is to launch its first dedicated kidswear TV ad as part of a multimedia campaign including a tie-up with ITV and Britain’s Got Talent.
Clothing and footwear sales volumes down while sales values are up

21 April 2011
Clothing and footwear stores saw a fall in retail sales volumes of 0.6% in March this year,against a 1.3% rise in the overall volume of retail sales, excluding petrol, compared to the same month a year ago. But the figures, released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), show the value of overall retail sales in the same period increased by 4.5%.
Universities offering fashion degrees confirm tuition fee increases

21 April 2011
Tuition fee hikes have been confirmed for fashion students at more English universities, including seven colleges opting for the maximum of £9,000.
East points towards wealthier shoppers with new sub-brands

21 April 2011
East aims to lure back a more affluent shopper with the launch of two higher-priced sub-brands after the mainstream womenswear chain said it had become unadventurous with its product design.
Sainsbury's trials Clarks concessions

19 April 2011
Sainsbury’s is trialling Clarks footwear concessions in two of its larger stores in an attempt to lure big-name brands to supply the supermarket.
Tesco turns focus on general merchandise after flat UK performance

19 April 2011
Tesco has vowed to improve performance in general merchandise, which includes clothing, after its sales in the category were flat in key territories like the UK.
Douglas & Grahame appoints managing director

18 April 2011
Douglas & Grahame has appointed former AMG managing director David Snowdon to the same role at the brands house.
Bread & Butter calls off the relaunch of kidswear show

14 April 2011
Streetwear trade show Bread & Butter has called-off the re-launch of its standalone kidswear tradeshow.
Levi's posts first quarter sales rise

14 April 2011
Denim brand Levi Strauss & Co reported a year-on-year increase in quarterly sales of 2% in Europe, up from $306m (£187.2m) in February 2010 to $312m (£190.9m) in February 2011.
M&S launches carbon neutral lingerie

13 April 2011
Marks & Spencer has launched the high street’s first range of carbon neutral lingerie called Autograph Leaves.
Louboutin launches second lawsuit for trademark infringement

13 April 2011
French footwear designer Christian Louboutin is suing a second footwear company for the use of red soles on its shoes, less than a week after the designer filed a lawsuit against Yves Saint Laurent for alleged trademark infringement.
Clothing and footwear prices rise by 1.1%

12 April 2011
Clothing and footwear prices rose by 1.1% between February and March, compared with a 1.8% increase during the same period a year ago.
Footwear only category to grow in dismal March

12 April 2011
Footwear was the only category in the retail sector to grow in March as clothing sales fell further below their year-earlier level to show the largest decline since August 2009.
Ralph Lauren in further UK retail expansion

11 April 2011
Premium US fashion house Ralph Lauren is understood to have signed up to open a store for its vintage-inspired menswear brand RRL on Mount Street in London’s Mayfair.
Urban Outfitters plots UK expansion

11 April 2011
US lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters is set to grow its UK store numbers and increase the wholesale of its premium womenswear brand Free People.
Pavers launches TV shopping channel

7 April 2011
Yorkshire-based footwear retailer Pavers Shoes has launched the world’s first TV shopping channel dedicated solely to selling shoes.
M&S: Menswear and lingerie sustain clothing sales

6 April 2011
UPDATE: Marks & Spencer said that UK like-for-like sales of general merchandise, which includes clothing, nudged up just 0.7% over the 13 weeks to April 2 but that clothing market share had motored by 30 basis points to 11.6%.
Fur sales soar in 2010

4 April 2011
Worldwide sales of fur increased by 5.4% in 2010 to reach $14bn (£8.7bn), up from $13.3bn (£8.24bn) in 2009, according to figures released by the International Fur Trade Federation (IFTF).
American Apparel in bankruptcy warning

4 April 2011
American Apparel, the beleaguered US fashion chain, has warned that it might be forced to file for bankruptcy if performance does not improve following poor sales in 2010.
Basler boss heads to Gerry Weber role

1 April 2011
German womenswear brand Gerry Weber has hired former Basler UK managing director Christian Lawaczeck as head of its UK and Republic of Ireland operation, filling the void created by former country manager Howard Ross’s departure last year.
Footwear Marta Jonsson kicks off retail push via website and stores

1 April 2011
Footwear brand Marta Jonsson has launched a transactional website and pushed the button on further retail expansion with plans to open up to 15 stores by 2016.
Footwear Start-rite snaps up kids’ footwear indie

1 April 2011
Start-rite, the kids’ footwear brand, has added 20% to its turnover with the acquisition of kids’ footwear mini-chain One Small Step One Giant Leap.
H&M to report dip in first quarter profits

30 March 2011
Swedish fast fashion chain H&M is expected to report a drop in profits when it releases its first quarter results tomorrow morning.
Versace makes a loss but sales grow

30 March 2011
Italian fashion house Versace grew revenues 9.1% to €292.3m (£257m) in 2010, but charted a net loss due to restructuring costs.
Prada approves earnings ahead of expected IPO

29 March 2011
Luxury fashion house Prada has reported a surge in full-year profits ahead of an expected stock market listing in Hong Kong.
GDS Footwear

25 March 2011
Faux fur, buckles and rugged work styles ticked trend boxes on mainstream footwear in Düsseldorf.
Patsy Seddon

25 March 2011
The founder of Phase Eight talks to Ruth Faulkner about her new label, who has inspired her and how the industry has changed.
Frank Usher and Michel Ambers owner in administration

24 March 2011
CDU, the manufacturer of leading occasionwear brands Frank Usher, Coterie, Michel Ambers and Dusk, has hit the buffers citing poor trading conditions over the last two years.
Havaianas poised for European expansion

23 March 2011
Brazilian flip-flop brand Havaianas is to ramp up its retail presence in Europe, after opening its second European standalone store in Valencia in Spain this month.
American Apparel considers wholesale as path to growth

23 March 2011
Struggling US fashion chain American Apparel will consider entering the wholesale market in a bid to try to return to growth.
GDS reports a fall in visitor numbers as show switches days

22 March 2011
GDS, the German footwear fair, reported a drop in visitor numbers as it moved to a weekday-only format for the first time for its March 2011 edition.
Tesco launches kid's wedding wear

21 March 2011
Tesco has launched its first collection of bridesmaid and page boy outfits as part of its Florence & Fred (F&F) kidswear range.
Peacocks considers sale of Bonmarché

21 March 2011
The Peacock Group is reported to be exploring options for Bonmarché, which could lead to a sale of the mainsteam womenswear chain.
Manufacturers fear stigma after Leicester factory raid

18 March 2011
Manufacturers have voiced their concern that UK factories adopting unscrupulous practices are trashing the domestic industry’s reputation after reports emerged that a Leicester clothing manufacturer could be fined £190,000 for employing 19 illegal workers.
Benetton profits dip

16 March 2011
Benetton, the Italian-based fashion label, said profits for the full-year to December 31, 2010 was down on 2009 figures, largely due to rising raw material costs.
New Look to feature in Channel 4 show

15 March 2011
Fast fashion chain New Look is to appear in the first product placement and advertiser-funded programme (AFP) on Channel 4.
VF Corporation announces five year growth plans

15 March 2011
US-based VF Corporation, the parent company of brands such as Lee, Wrangler, Seven for all Mankind, The North Face and Vans, has vowed to increase revenues by $5bn (£3.1bn) over the next five years and focus on expansion in international markets.
Irish indies cheered after election result

11 March 2011
Irish indies are feeling more buoyant about future trade after the outcome of the country’s general election, which was held on February 25.
Urban Outfitters sales grow but profits drop

8 March 2011
Lifestyle retailer Urban Outfitters grew net sales 13.6% in the three months to January 31, compared to the same period the previous year, but net profits dropped 3.1%.
Arrogant Cat retail arm rescued by management

8 March 2011
The UK retail arm of womenswear brand Arrogant Cat has been rescued from administration by its management - but two of its three stores will still close.
ShortList launches men's fashion magazine

7 March 2011
ShortList Media, the publisher of free titles Shortlist and Stylist, is to unveil a new bi-annual men’s fashion magazine this evening.
Kate Middleton 'to drive growth in premium fashion'

7 March 2011
The premium market will enjoy the strongest growth in the clothing sector over the next three years, helped by the influence of princess-to-be Kate Middleton on sales, according to new research.
Hermès raises prospect of delisting as it announces record profits

4 March 2011
The chief executive of luxury goods group Hermès International has hinted that the company may delist, as it reported a 46% surge in net profits in 2010 and delivered its biggest operating margin since going public in 1993.
Springfield eyes international expansion

3 March 2011
Springfield, the Spanish menswear chain which has four standalone stores in the UK, has set its sights set on further international expansion.
Gap warns of squeeze on 2011 margins

25 February 2011
Gap said international like-for-like sales dipped 1% in its fourth quarter to January 29 and warned that it expected operating margins to be squeezed in 2011 because of sourcing cost inflation driven by rising cotton prices.
London Fashion Week: Lingerie brand Triumph shows at LFW

23 February 2011
Triumph became the first ever lingerie brand to hold a catwalk show at London Fashion Week yesterday, to coincide with its 125th anniversary.
Arrogant Cat retail arm hits the buffers

22 February 2011
The UK retail arm of womenswear brand Arrogant Cat has gone into administration due to cashflow problems after a drop in trade.
Shop Direct to stock Paprika

22 February 2011
Shop Direct, the home shopping group, will stock young fashion brand Paprika through its Very and Littlewoods websites.
French second hand clothing site to launch in UK

22 February 2011
French second-hand clothing sales site, VestiaireDeCopines.com, is to launch a UK version called Fashionomic this spring.
La Senza chief denies Victoria's Secret sale talks

21 February 2011
La Senza commercial director Beverley Williams has denied that the UK lingerie retailer’s backers are in talks with Limited Brands, the parent company of US-lingerie chain Victoria’s Secret, about a possible sale of the business.
Timberland fourth quarter European sales grow

21 February 2011
US footwear brand Timberland reported a strong performance in Europe in its fourth quarter.
Former Principles boss Peter Davies rescues Ollie & Nic after administration

18 February 2011
Vintage accessories brand Ollie & Nic has been rescued by Principles founder Peter Davies after it went into administration.
London Fashion Week welcomes record number of US buyers

18 February 2011
A record number of US buyers have hit London Fashion Week, which opened this morning, including some key retailers who are attending the event for the very first time.
Clothing and footwear sales rise in January

18 February 2011
Clothing and footwear sales rose 4.9% by value and 2.9% by volume in January, compared with the same month last year.
Cotton prices hit a record high

18 February 2011
Cotton prices have hit an all time high as demand from China coupled with shrinking global supplies of the commodity continues.
Visitor numbers up at Pure London and Pure Spirit

17 February 2011
Womenswear trade show Pure London and younger directional show Pure Spirit saw record visitor numbers this edition with overall attendance across the two shows up 21% on last year.
Paul Costelloe to open pop-up shop in John Lewis

17 February 2011
Paul Costelloe is to launch its first ever pop up shop on Friday shortly after the designer opens London Fashion Week in his traditional 9am slot.
Jacobson Group adds Babycham to portfolio

16 February 2011
Footwear supplier Jacobson Group has agreed a licence to design, develop and distribute Babycham branded footwear, accessories and apparel in the UK, Europe and North America.
Scoop inaugural trade show attracts 1,000 visitors

16 February 2011
Scoop, the contemporary womenswear trade show, attracted over 1,000 buyers and visitors to its first edition.

DrapersRuth Faulkner

Drapers
Ruth Faulkner