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Editor’s Comment: Singles' Day is important – but let’s leave it in China
Chinese ecommerce platform Alibaba’s annual Singles’ Day discounting event dwarfs Black Friday in terms of sales, and provides an important opportunity for British brands to break into the lucrative Chinese market.
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Entries are now open for the Drapers Digital Awards, part of the Digital Festival 2020. We have 15 categories up for grabs, so make sure you enter your business now!
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Retail
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Country of Origin: knitwear's original spin
Knitwear brand Country of Origin’s co-founder, Ben Taylor, blends traditional practices and sustainable approaches to create a modern, premium product
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Entries are now open for the Drapers Footwear Awards 2020. We have 18 exciting categories up for grabs, so make sure you enter your business now!
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Product & Trade Shows
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Thoughts from a denim mastermind
Jeff Rudes, CEO of LA womenswear brand L’Agence, knows a thing or two about denim, having also co-founded jeans label J Brand in 2005.
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Business Operations
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How do we deal with a flood of January returns?
A bumper peak trading period can often be dampened by a flurry of festive returns come January. How can businesses best prepare to tackle them?
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Entries are now open for the Drapers Digital Awards, part of the Digital Festival 2020. We have 15 categories up for grabs, so make sure you enter your business now!
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People
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Country of Origin: knitwear's original spin
Knitwear brand Country of Origin’s co-founder, Ben Taylor, blends traditional practices and sustainable approaches to create a modern, premium product
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Drapers Hit or Miss: footwear autumn 19Subscription
For the third part of Drapers’ autumn 19 Hit or Miss reviews, the team descended upon Birmingham’s Bullring shopping centre to put footwear retailers to the test.
White Stuff to cut head office roles Subscription
Brexit biggest challenge for fashion SMEs Subscription
Ego launches 'mini-me' kids’ collectionSubscription
London’s West End to get £2.5bn Christmas boost Subscription
Mothercare UK to shut by February Subscription
This week's need-to-know people movesSubscription
Revenues rise but losses widen at FarfetchSubscription
Conservatives pledge to help 'left-behind' towns Subscription
Retail sales slip in OctoberSubscription
Chester Barrie owner closes branded businessSubscription
Phase Eight to open four new stores Subscription
First look: Vans steps on to Oxford StreetSubscription
Royal Mail injunction bans Christmas strikesSubscription
Burberry profits up despite hit from Hong KongSubscription
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The Drapers Interview
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Sheffield steels for regenerationVideoSubscription
After 25 years of delay, the redevelopment of Sheffield City Centre could finally lead to a modern mix of retail, leisure and workspace
First Look: Timberland's sustainable urban oasisSubscription
Drapers explores Timberland’s new “purpose-led”, sustainable store in London’s West End.
Hedging your bets: how to manage currency risksSubscription
Foreign currency hedging provides stability, but making a loss is just as likely as a gain
Varley's activewear advanceSubscription
Women’s activewear brand Varley intends to grows its team and enter new markets, thanks to new investment. Founder Lara Mead tells Drapers about its plans.
Are you discriminating against shoppers with disabilities? Subscription
Ahead of accessible shopping day Purple Tuesday, Drapers hears from shoppers with disabilities about how well they are being served by the high street and explores how retailers should be focusing on accessibility.
Drapers Hit or Miss: autumn 19 menswear Subscription
Drapers heads to the heart of Birmingham’s shopping district to put the autumn 19 menswear offer to the test.
How British footwear brands stay one step aheadSubscription
Last month Drapers headed to Northamptonshire, the heart of the UK’s shoe manufacturing industry, to find out how “made in Britain” footwear brands are getting fighting fit for a bumpy future.
Banking on bricks and mortar: the future of M&S storesSubscription
Amid its radical store-closure programme, Marks & Spencer has opened a new store in Cornwall, and still considers bricks-and-mortar retail “incredibly important”. Can its new approach get the business back on track?
Drapers and Klarna launch Next Generation EntrepreneursSubscription
Our new report lists the founders challenging the status quo.
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Guide to Growth: Your questions answered Subscription
Our new portal focuses on answering the questions brands and retailers want answered.
Drapers branded fashion content section Brand Showcase brings you the collections you can't afford to miss
The next chapter in the bestselling Barbour family storyVideoSubscription
ISKO: creativity and responsible innovationSubscription
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Editor’s Comment: Singles' Day is important – but let’s leave it in China
Chinese ecommerce platform Alibaba’s annual Singles’ Day discounting event dwarfs Black Friday in terms of sales, and provides an important opportunity for British brands to break into the lucrative Chinese market.
Retailer Insight: Build your high street tribe
Ahead of Small Business Saturday on 7 December, Hilary Cookson, Lifetime Achievement winner at the Drapers Independents Awards 2019, says collaborating with neighbouring retailers is vital
Editor’s Comment: A race to the bottom is not the solution
The first of this year’s Christmas adverts were unwrapped this week, but the festive cheer failed to mask an underlying anxiety as we wait to see how the Black-Friday-to-Boxing-Day period plays out.
Editor’s Comment: Mothercare has to shake up its whole approach
As the clocks went back and the temperature dropped last weekend, I headed to my local retail park to buy a new duvet for my son. I left disappointed – finding nowhere that sold a decent selection of children’s bedding – and caught myself wishing there was a Mothercare nearby.
Editor’s Comment: Brexit exposed fatal flaws at Bonmarché
Much like the weather, Brexit has become a somewhat convenient excuse for struggling retailers to explain away weak sales. But in the case of Bonmarché, it was the final nail in the coffin.
Retailer Insight: Visual merchandising must tell shoppers a story
Julie Schroer, senior creative manager at London womenswear independent Blaiz, Best Visual Merchandising and Store Design winner at the Drapers Independents Awards 2019, explains its award-winning approach.
Editor’s Comment: Masterclasses in connecting with customers
Changing shopping behaviours continue to rip through the fashion industry at speed, bringing both challenges and opportunities for retailers.
'Boris says "do or die" – I say UK will be a dead man walking'
A hard Brexit could be “catastrophic” for the fashion industry, writes Cécile Reinaud, founder and president of maternitywear brand Seraphine.
Editor’s Comment: Double tariff trouble for British fashion
British fashion retail has been dealt a double dose of bad news in recent days.
Editor’s Comment: the Karen Millen store cull was hard to watch
It was a sad moment walking past the closing Karen Millen store on the corner of Regent Street and Princes Street in central London last week.
Retailer Insight: Andrew Jennings on how to remain relevant
Retail has never been this fast and it will never be this slow again, writes Andrew Jennings, senior retail executive, author of Almost Is Not Good Enough and former boss of House of Fraser, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods.
Editor’s Comment: Facing the pressure of the fast fashion world
The high-stress world of fast fashion was laid bare last week in the first episode of a six-part BBC Three documentary on womenswear etailer In The Style.
Comment: Première Vision sets edgy autumn agenda
Sustainable innovations and Brexit were the top talking points at the autumn 20 edition of Paris textiles trade show Première Vision, as fabrics veered towards the dark and shimmering.
London Fashion Week: the Drapers verdict
International buyers flock to London’s womenswear designers for a balance between creativity and commerciality.
Retailer Insight: How China became a key market for Radley
When Radley was bought by private equity firm Bregal Freshstream in 2016, the business was well-established in the UK, but under-represented internationally, writes CEO Justin Stead.
Editor’s Comment: Brexit déjà vu at London Fashion Week
Yet again we find ourselves in the strange position of celebrating London as an international stage for British design talent, less than two months before the UK leaves the European Union.
Industry Comment: Collaborate to overcome fashion's new challenges
New skills and collaboration are vital for fashion SMEs, writes Judith Tolley, head of creative business incubator the Centre for Fashion Enterprise, as it opens its new business hub
Editor's Comment: There's fight left in our independent retailers
Judging for the Drapers Independents Awards is always a lively debate, and one that reassures me that it’s not all doom and gloom on the high street – there is so much innovation and success to celebrate.
Editor's Comment: Panic autumn Sales cause lasting damage
Widespread discounting on autumn stock before the summer has even come to an end has, worryingly, become common practice for many UK fashion retailers – and has potentially damaging implications.
Comment: Apprenticeships have the power to transform fashion
Creative and technical skills are vital for a thriving UK fashion and textiles industry, but skills shortages and risks to the talent pipeline are among the most urgent challenges facing the sector, writes John West, director of skills and training at the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT).
Industry comment: We need to be bold after Brexit
Agility, courage and determination will let businesses prosper after Brexit, despite the challenges, writes Lucy Reece-Raybould, CEO of the British Footwear Association.
Editor's Comment: Online profitability is a long game
Consumers are embracing online shopping, which requires fashion retailers to invest heavily in developing ecommerce – but an increasing number are questioning the return on that investment.
Editor's Comment: A pleasure and a privilege
When I joined Drapers in June 2005, I could not have imagined the challenges and opportunities the next 14 years would bring.
Retailer Insight: Breathe some lifestyle into footwear retail
Brands and retailers need to widen their view and delight their customers to remain successful, writes Gerard Levy, owner of independent footwear retailer Spice London and footwear agency Gil Agencies.
Editor's Comment: Still a lot to be proud of on the high street
This week Drapers celebrates an incredible 132 years. Looking back at the industry over that time there have been huge changes and challenges to overcome but there has also been plenty to celebrate.
Comment: Putting the preppy pep back into Jack Wills
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct has acquired lifestyle retailer Jack Wills for £12.8m. What will it take to revive the flagging business?
Editor's Comment: HoF won't survive without strong supplier relationships
To say it has been a turbulent week for Sports Direct Group is an understatement.
Comment: Quality of buyers makes up for quantity at Jacket Required
In the sweltering heat of one of London’s hottest days of the year, the spring 20 edition of menswear trade show Jacket Required was judged by exhibitors and buyers alike to be relatively quiet.
Editor's Comment: Industry support must be Johnson's top priority
Consumer confidence is low, the high street is in the midst of one of its most challenging periods yet, Brexit is imminent, and the UK has a new prime minister, Boris Johnson.
Comment: Steady spring 20 at Pure London and Scoop
The spring 20 editions of UK trade shows Pure London and Scoop, which ran concurrently in London on 21-23 July, got off to a sunny yet slow start on Sunday, although both shows picked up across the three days.
Editor’s Comment: Make high streets local focal destinations
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the high street is not dead.
Comment: What does Asos's fall from grace tell us?
In the wake of Asos’s second profit warning in seven months, Stephen Springham, head of retail research at property consultancy Knight Frank argues that ecommerce is not a golden ticket to success.
Spotted: why Zara’s dotty dress went viral
It’s summer’s dress sensation – but why has Zara’s polka-dot maxi-dress taken the high street by storm?
Editor’s Comment: Retail visionary Arthur Ryan never forgot his roots
The industry is saddened this week by the loss of retail stalwart, Arthur Ryan, who has died aged 83. My thoughts go to all of his family, friends and colleagues.
Editor's Comment: Get the basics right – and then take a leap
Lately, not a week goes by without the mention of a CVA and this week is no exception – the latest being high street footwear staple Office, which has appointed restructuring advisers to assess its financial position amid “tough trading conditions”.
Editor's Comment: Footwear's finest step up to market challenges
When market conditions are tough, it is never more important to take time to celebrate the achievements, innovations and businesses pushing forward through turbulent waters.
Comment: The use of CVAs needs greater scrutiny
Company voluntary arrangements must be bound by stricter rules, says Ed Cooke, chief executive of commercial property body Revo.
Editor's Comment: 'Out of touch' government is failing industry and customers
The fashion industry contributes more than £32 billion to the UK economy, yet, once again, calls for support from the government have gone unheeded.
Givenchy’s Florentine takeover
As the sun set over the plush Florentine hills, the Pitti crowds made their way to the luxurious Villa Palmieri for British designer Clare Waight Keller’s first standalone menswear show at the helm of French fashion house Givenchy.
'CVAs are unexploded bombs for indies'
Large retailers entering into CVAs can have an unfair and heavy impact on independent retailers, says Martin Brighty, owner of central London menswear independent Peckham Rye.
Comment: Fresh perspective is just what John Lewis needs
The incoming chairman of John Lewis Partnership is certainly a leftfield choice.
Comment: Finding the future at London Fashion Week Men's
The spring 20 edition of London Fashion Week Men’s (LFWM), which took place on 7-10 June, officially kicked off the new menswear buying season with a strong and steady edition that focused the spotlight on fashion’s future.
Editor's Comment: Brands reboot for the new buying season
Product will always sit at the heart of any fashion business. As we move into June and the new buying season kicks off with London Fashion Week Mens and menswear trade show Pitti Uomo in Florence, retailers will be looking at how their new-season collections can offer something unique to drive customers in store and online.
Comment: Why my agency picks brands with no online presence
Sales director at independent fashion and distribution agency MDA International, Hannah Jordan, explains why the company chooses to work with independent brands that do not have an online presence.
Comment: Strategy refresh is just what Asos needs
Asos is one of many retailers that admits it has tightened its returns policy, as figures reveal that 26% of brands have recorded an increase in returns over the last two years.
Editor's Comment: Hard lessons for the once-mighty Arcadia
Arcadia was once the most powerful player on the high street.
Comment: What Arcadia is lacking on the high street
As Arcadia seeks to close stores in the UK and the US, Drapers assess the strengths and weaknesses of the high street heavy weight’s fascias.
Digital innovation lies at the heart of successful strategies
The growth of online sales continues to transform the fashion industry, and digital innovation has become a key driver of many success stories.
Comment: Building bridges with Africa's textile industry after Brexit
African fashion sourcing consultant and founder of the social enterprise Africa Fashion Guide, Jacqueline Shaw, discusses the Brexit effect and how a UK alliance with Africa could positively affect the fashion industry.
Comment: Retail disruption by 'Airbnb of fashion'
Combining the promise of rental with the popularity of resale, new peer-to-peer lending sites could be fashion’s next disruptor.
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Redefining Retail: the high street in 2020 and beyond
A new report from New West End Company and Springwise considers the shape of retail in the next decade. Drapers brought together retailers to debate how the industry can redefine itself.
Drapers and Klarna launch Next Generation Entrepreneurs
Our new report lists the founders challenging the status quo.
How to achieve growth in a difficult climate
Our new report, Growth in a Changing Economy, explores how fashion brands and retailers can achieve growth in an uncertain climate.
Guide to Growth: Your questions answered
Our new portal focuses on answering the questions brands and retailers want answered.
Mapping the multichannel customer journey: Connected Consumer 2019
The Connected Consumer – Drapers’ multichannel customer insight report – shines a light on how fashion shoppers are using mobile, social and store shopping.
How sustainability is changing the fashion economy
Drapers has collaborated with Raconteur on a new report, the Fashion Economy, published in The Times today.
Webcast: Increasing profitability with automation
Our webcast explored how brands are using analytics and automation to increase profit.
Gen Z and Millennials
Between them, Generation Z and millennials – broadly, shoppers in their late teens, twenties and thirties – attract endless attention, and represent fashion’s consumers of both the present and future.
Five ways AI is working for fashion retailers
It’s not just a buzzword – artificial intelligence is changing how retailers do business in tangible ways. In our new report, we speak to some of the retailers using the technology about how AI is changing things for them.
Drapers multichannel trends report 2019
Drapers’ multichannel trends report explores the most important trends in cross channel retail this year. Download it here for interviews with River Island, M&S, Mango and more.
If you entered fashion to be creative, don't fear automation
Until recently, technology and fashion and may not have seemed natural bedfellows, and yet today, from design to marketing, from production to distribution, technology is influencing every facet of our industry.
What sold well online over Christmas 2018?
Drapers, in partnership with Ebay, provides a quarterly snapshot of data on online fashion retail’s KPIs and trends.
Coming up: Drapers multichannel roundtable
Drapers’ multichannel breakfast will explore how the cross-channel mix is evolving in fashion in 2019.
Webinar: Lessons from Christmas 2018
Drapers’ webinar explores key lessons and insights from Christmas 2018.
Drapers Guide: Customer Reviews
How customer reviews are changing fashion, and our step by step guide to making the most of them.
Personalisation for anonymous shoppers
Most of the visitors to a retailer’s website are anonymous. How can the experience be tailored to them without knowing who they are?
The opportunities of off-price fashion
As sustainability - and squeezed margins - continue to put pressure on retailers to improve management of excess stock, off-price fashion has become a hot topic. Drapers’ new report explores its opportunities.
The new rules of digital customer experience
What does the ideal digital customer experience look like today, and who are the retailers leading the way?
What Nike, Asos and Everlane have in common
Join us for a live briefing on what makes a great digital experience, and hear who’s getting it right.
Webinar: The future of data in online retail
Retailers are starting to learn more about their shoppers based on their online behaviour - something that is becoming more important in a post-GDPR world.
Where automation can help
Our new report pinpoints the parts of the customer journey that technology is improving.
Facing fashion's sustainable challenge
Sustainability in fashion is the hot topic of the moment, and was the subject of discussion at Drapers’ latest roundtable.
Mastering mobile as the 2018 peak approaches
The 2018 retail peak is nearly upon us, and mobile will be playing a more important role than ever.
Webinar: Next-generation digital marketing
How are retailers’ email strategies evolving?
Customer insight: How fashion’s multichannel consumers are evolving
Our annual survey of fashion shoppers provides in-depth insight into what shoppers want in a multichannel retail world.
Ecommerce Snapshot: Fashion's Q3 online performance
The Drapers Ecommerce Snapshot gives a comprehensive overview of fashion’s digital performance over the last quarter.
Building a continuous customer view
The single customer view is at the forefront of retailers’ minds, but GDPR and continuing customer concerns about privacy mean it is no easy win
Video: How 3D software is impacting design
Fashion retailers gathered at the Soho Hotel in June to discuss how 3D fashion is changing the industry.
Instagram's new tools for fashion retailers
In partnership with Instagram, Drapers explores the platform’s range of recent new tools - including the launch of IGTV last month - and how they are boosting consumer engagement.
Solving fashion's sustainability problem
Fashion is one of the world’s most polluting industries.
