Miscellaneous

The latest news

UK luxury is £81bn industry says new report

UK luxury is £81bn industry says new report

​The UK luxury sector is now worth £81 billion a year to the UK economy and supports 450,000 jobs, according to a new report by British luxury body Walpole. 
Fashion
Mother's Day gifting focus shifted this year, fashion benefited

Mother's Day gifting focus shifted this year, fashion benefited

​A new study offered up some good news for the fashion and beauty sector as it has shown online Mother’s Day gifting this year moved away from “typical gifts and trinkets towards presents such as fashion and beauty”.
Fashion
M&S now has new deadline for Marble Arch plans, is close to HSBC deal for 'superapp'

M&S now has new deadline for Marble Arch plans, is close to HSBC deal for 'superapp'

​After winning its court case against the government’s refusal to allow it to redevelop its Marble Arch flagship in London, retail giant M&S now has three weeks to formally resubmit its plans for the building.
Fashion
Next Beauty chief Amanda Scott exits

Next Beauty chief Amanda Scott exits

Next Beauty is looking for a new chief executive with Amanda Scott leaving the business after five years, according to a report. No reason has been given for her departure.
Beauty
Long-standing THG non-exec McDonald set to depart

Long-standing THG non-exec McDonald set to depart

Digital retail group THG is about to lose board member Iain McDonald as the Non-Executive Director departs at end of the month. It brings to an end his near-14 years as a THG Director.
Beauty
JLP says John Lewis/Waitrose split definitely not on the cards

JLP says John Lewis/Waitrose split definitely not on the cards

Following news of its long-awaited return to profit this week, bosses at John Lewis Partnership have now said there are no plans to separate the department stores from its Waitrose supermarkets.
Fashion
Poundland to advertise fashion on TV for first time

Poundland to advertise fashion on TV for first time

Pepco’s UK Poundland chain doesn’t usually advertise on TV but it’s launching a new campaign and even more surprisingly it will include the company’s clothing offer.
Fashion
UK store openings driven by coffee shops as many chains close - PWC

UK store openings driven by coffee shops as many chains close - PWC

UK retail continues to lose physical stores at an alarming rate. There was a net decrease of 5,000 stores across the UK last year, amounting to a rate of 14 per day over the year, a report by accountancy firm PwC claims.
Fashion
Fenwick Newcastle's makeover gets latest planning ok

Fenwick Newcastle's makeover gets latest planning ok

Fenwick’s flagship store in Newcastle has been given a further planning green light to push on with its £40 million revamp with new work beginning this month.
Fashion
John Lewis back in profit, fashion sales rise

John Lewis back in profit, fashion sales rise

​John Lewis is one of the most closely watched retail giants in the UK at the moment, mainly because of its many problems in recent years. But at least its annual results managed to show it returning to profit.
Fashion
Newcastle's Eldon Square set for major development, new mega store for Next and Sephora debut

Newcastle's Eldon Square set for major development, new mega store for Next and Sephora debut

Newcastle’s Eldon Square mall owners and the city council have signed an enhanced co-operation agreement alongside  “game-changing” planning submissions expected to deliver of a series of major new leasing deals.
Fashion
Perfume Shop sales shine for Mother's Day

Perfume Shop sales shine for Mother's Day

For The Perfume Shop, “fragrance is the ultimate timeless gift”, especially when it comes to Mother’s Day. So the UK retailer celebrated the event in style with unit sales adding up to a staggering 140,000 bottles sold.
Beauty
New Zalando strategy targets B2C and B2B transformation, includes more lifestyle categories

New Zalando strategy targets B2C and B2B transformation, includes more lifestyle categories

​Zalando had big news Wednesday, saying it has evolved its strategy to cover a “larger share of [the] fashion and lifestyle e-commerce market” with a “pan-European ecosystem for customers and partners”.
Fashion
Interactive experiences a must for in-store beauty buys - survey

Interactive experiences a must for in-store beauty buys - survey

Just how important is it for consumers to have in-store support to get a beauty purchase right? New research says it’s key for just about everyone, but are brands/retailers providing the right back-up to get them there?
Beauty
Otto Group unveils leadership succession plan

Otto Group unveils leadership succession plan

​Otto Group has announced a succession plan that will see Benjamin Otto succeeding his father Prof. Dr. Michael Otto as head of the group, but not until 2026, with other key changes happening from next year.
Fashion
Perfume retailer Douglas seeks up to 30 euros per share in Frankfurt IPO

Perfume retailer Douglas seeks up to 30 euros per share in Frankfurt IPO

German perfume retailer Douglas said Monday it would sell shares at 26 to 30 euros ($32.8) in of one Europe's first major initial public offerings this year.
Beauty