Fears that shoppers are losing their nerve will be confirmed this week, when the first snapshot of the high street this year reveals weak trading. The British Retail Consortium monthly sales monitor is expected to show that retail sales grew by less than 1 per cent in January compared with the same month a year…
Read moreJJB cuts numbers
The British sporting goods retailer JJB Sports Plc is set to cut its clothing supply base. In doing so it will reduce its sportswear collections following a fall in sales of 1.6% in the 23 weeks ending 2 January. Total sales for the Christmas and New Year trading period fell 2 %, with like-for-like sales…
Read moreCarrefour merger rumours false
The brandnew chairman of retail group Carrefour, Luc Vandevelde, has suppressed rumours of a potential merger with rival Tesco. He revealed that he plans on keeping the business independent. Vandevelde joined Carrefour two weeks ago from Marks & Spencer. He succeeded Daniel Bernard, who resigned from Carrefour recently after running the group for 13 years….
Read morePPR plays re-shuffle board
The French luxury goods giant, Pinault Printemps Redoute (PPR), has announced last week that the founder’s son, Francois-Henri Pinault, will be taking over as group chief executive from Serge Weinberg. The announcement was made following a board meeting. PPR added that the group would be switching to a single board structure, as opposed to the…
Read moreWearing my religion
One of the latest trends in fashion seems to be to wear your faith on your sleeve. Or perhaps around your neck or on your chest. Whatever takes your fancy, really. Not too long ago David Beckham was snapped sporting a fashionably bling bunch of rosaries around his neck, much to the consternation of the…
Read moreHeavenly denim
The progeny of the beautiful and the famous seem to have a touch of magic in their fingers. First we were blessed with Stella McCartney, then Oscar de la Renta’s son made an appearance and now Chloe Lonsdale is out to wow us with her denim designs. Lonsdale is the daugther of Seventies supermodel Chekkie…
Read moreH.Samuel launches online retail site
British jewellery retailer H.Samuel has announced the launch of its online shop. Thereby it has created the leading integrated, multi-channel shopping capability within the British jewellery sector. With a next-day delivery service within the UK and approximately 2,200 product lines – ranging from diamond and gem-set jewellery, gold and silver jewellery, watches and gifts –…
Read moreDemi Moore in new Versace ads
Actress Demi Moore is to appear in the print ads for Versace this fall. Top fashion photographer Mario Testino has reportedly already shot the six images for the upcoming ad campaign in the same studio where he was shooting pop diva Madonna as the face of the brand this spring. “I have known Demi Moore…
Read moreGharani Strok strike the right chord
Gharani Strok have often struck a chord with retailers, but this season their collection rung high notes with the press, too. Eye-catching jersey dresses and sophisticated shapes didn’t go amiss from a house normally associated with hippy-chic. A hint of Hollywood glamour shone through in the red and black gowns – many were adorned with…
Read moreLondon rocks, according to Hedi Slimane
Dior menswear designer Hedi Slimane guest-edited an edition for France’s left-leaning newspaper Liberation, last week. Called “London Calling,” the front (and back) page featured a photograph Slimane took of Pete Doherty, companion of Kate Moss, frontman of Babyshambles and formerly of the Libertines. Slimane’s fascination with London’s rock scene unfolded throughout the paper he designed…
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