Tesco UK’s second largest clothing retailer
Tesco has overtaken Asda as the UK’s second largest retailer of clothing by volume, according to industry figures. The data, from Taylor Nelson Sofres shows that Tesco is second only to Marks and Spencer, the high street retailer, in terms of the volume of garments it sells. Tesco plans to further crank up its assault…
Nanette Lepore opens in London
US designer Nanette Lepore has opened a boutique on London’s Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill. It is the designer’s first European outlet. “London is huge for me. It’s such an important market and centre of commerce. I have a real passion for this city, and I really want London customers to love this store,” Lepore…
Growth in UK Fairtrade sales
New figures released by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) International reveal that global sales of Fairtrade certified products reached €1.1 billion in 2005. This represents an increase of 37% over 2004. Meanwhile in the UK, the Fairtrade Foundation recently announced that sales topped £195m for 2005 – a 40% rise in one year – and…
Cover up for summer
Summer has arrived and the months of covering up our legs and arms are over. Or are they? As fashion has it, this is not the season of the skimpy swimsuit. Take note from designers such as Michael Kors, Stella McCartney and Miuccia Prada who made the most convincing case for poolside modesty when she…
Lion Capital acquires Dutch retail chain
London-based private equity firm Lion Capital is taking over Dutch retail chain Hema. Hema’s current owner, Maxeda, and Lion Capital made the announcement on Friday and expect the transaction to be completed before the end of July, pending approval from the Works Council and the relevant Competition Authorities. Hema – which specializes in affordable food…
Asda for British fashion
A major campaign to boost the beleaguered British clothing industry has been announced by supermarket ASDA. It is going to stock an entire range of clothing made exclusively in the UK – with a Union Jack label displayed prominently to emphasise their origin. In addition, it is setting up a Dragon’s Den style open access…
Next to outline recovery plan
Fashion chain Next is to invest £17 million over the next three years to revive its existing stores and product offering. Another £10 million will be spent on marketing this year, in an effort to win back customers. The UK ‘s second largest clothing chain revealed plans for recovery while releasing its results for 2007.…
Jeans by Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake has launched his fashion label William Rast in the UK. Joining fellow musicians, Madonna, Kylie and P Diddy, the singer-cum-designer has added an extra accolade to his belt. Set up with his friend and business partner Trace Alaya, the casualwear label is on the measure up in the glossies and finally available in…
Milan Fashion Week round-up
The mood for next season’s menswear is definitely of an Arian utopia. Jil Sander launched the week with a mist-filled catwalk, reminiscent of a post-modern fairy tale. The House chose to open the show with a model wearing a stark, sharp cut suit in pale mint green, stripped down to its purest hue. The lightness…
Organic designer T’s
Established names from the British fashion community such as Christian Lacroix, Betty Jackson and Giles Deacon joined forces and created an exclusive organic T-shirt range in aid of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). The launch of the range coincided with the ‘World Day against Child Labour’. The T-shirts are made of organic and fairly traded…