Author: Dave Antrobus
John Lewis Partnership has submitted a planning application for a major residential development in Reading.The proposal includes an £80m investment to transform a disused warehouse into 215 rental homes.Amenities in the project will feature 6,000 sq ft of community space and gardens.This development is part of a broader £500m joint venture to build 1,000 homes.The local planning committee will review these plans early next year.John Lewis Partnership has officially submitted a planning application for the redevelopment of a former distribution warehouse in Reading into a substantial residential complex. The proposal, which requires an investment exceeding £80 million, aims to construct…
Uniqlo has appointed Clare Waight Keller as their new creative director, bolstering their design team with her extensive experience.Waight Keller’s career highlights include leading roles at Pringle of Scotland, Chloé, and Givenchy, underscoring her design prowess.Her work on Uniqlo: C since 2023 has garnered positive reception, leading to her expanded responsibilities.Waight Keller will now oversee both the womenswear and menswear collections from autumn/winter 2024.Fast Retailing executives express confidence in her ability to enhance Uniqlo LifeWear, reflecting consumer-centric design.Japanese retail giant Uniqlo has named British designer Clare Waight Keller as its new creative director. This significant appointment is anticipated to reinforce…
A recent webinar delved into urban delivery challenges and solutions.City dwellers demand fast and smooth delivery experiences.Retailers face profitability and sustainability challenges with deliveries.Experts shared insights on unique urban delivery strategies.The event featured specialists from Selfridges, Reskinned, and Zedify.In a recent exploration of urban delivery dynamics, a webinar brought together thought leaders from the retail sector, including representatives from Selfridges and Reskinned. The discussion centred around the pressing need for fast and flexible delivery services that meet the unique demands of city-based consumers. These consumers have been identified as having particularly high expectations, desiring not only speed but also multiple…
The British Footwear Development Trust (BFDT) has announced the revival of its educational grants, focusing on growth in the UK footwear industry.The programme supports both individuals and businesses, ranging from formal education to practical experience in footwear.Since its inception in 2023, it has benefited companies like Fairfax and Favor in developing their teams.Industry professionals have praised the programme for enhancing skills and fostering innovation.Applications for the 2024 grant opened on 2 September and close on 30 September.The British Footwear Development Trust (BFDT) has reintroduced its educational and training grants, continuing its work from 2023 to stimulate growth and innovation in…
Recent data reveals a surprising slump in back-to-school sales as non-food purchases decline by 1.7% year on year.Families increasingly opt for second-hand alternatives, impacting traditional retail sectors.High street sales have significantly declined, while online sales show moderate improvement.Education-related tech purchases see a boost, yet clothing and footwear categories underperform.Retailers face uncertainty with potential tax adjustments and rising energy costs on the horizon.In a striking development, recent data reports a 1.7% decline in non-food sales over the three months leading up to 24 August, compared to the same period last year. This downturn surpasses the average 12-month decline of 2%, illustrating…
Gymshark is set to open its first permanent store outside the UK at Dubai Mall.The decision follows the success of Gymshark’s flagship London and Westfield Stratford City stores.The Dubai store will enhance the brand’s presence, supported by localised e-commerce initiatives.Partnership with Al Tayer Insignia facilitates the move into the fitness-focused city of Dubai.Gymshark’s founder highlights the strategic importance of this expansion outside the UK.Gymshark, the prominent UK activewear brand, has announced an exciting expansion plan with the opening of its first permanent store outside the United Kingdom at Dubai Mall in the United Arab Emirates. This strategic move comes after…
John Lewis has categorically denied plans for further job cuts, responding to claims made in The Times.An article in The Times suggested that John Lewis was consulting 7,000 staff about potential redundancies.John Lewis firmly refuted these claims, confirming only 153 roles were affected, as previously announced.The retail giant emphasised its ongoing commitment to minimal redundancies and internal job reallocations.This statement comes amidst planned leadership changes, with Jason Tarry set to become chairman.On 1 September, The Times published a report suggesting significant job cuts at John Lewis, stating that 7,000 shop floor staff were under consultation. The piece attributed this information…
Little Mistress, a renowned online womenswear brand, is venturing into physical retail with plans to open pop-up stores in prominent London areas.Founder Mark Ashton views establishing a retail presence as crucial for better showcasing the brand’s offerings.The brand aims to balance its online and offline strategy while ensuring flexible lease agreements with landlords.Little Mistress, known for collaborations and white-label creations, sees this move as essential amidst current fashion retail dynamics.Following its acquisition by Poeticgem, Little Mistress aims to leverage new opportunities in global design and distribution.Little Mistress, a distinguished online women’s occasionwear brand, announced its strategic initiative to broaden its…
The UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) and Crisis are testing a new clothing recycling initiative.This trial is located in Crisis stores in Peckham and Elephant & Castle, London, until late September.The initiative aims to educate customers on differentiating between rewearable and non-rewearable garments.UK households own over 1.6 billion unworn clothing items that could be reused or recycled.The project seeks to enhance textile recycling frameworks within the ACT UK project.In a proactive step towards sustainability, the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT) has joined forces with the homelessness charity Crisis to trial an innovative instore recycling scheme. This initiative, currently…
Recent developments indicate a shift in the UK fashion scene as some Danish brands reduce their presence.Ganni closes its UK office, looking to Paris as their new strategic hub.Wood Wood and Han Kjøbenhavn halt their physical UK operations amid economic pressures.Retailers report mixed success with Scandinavian brands, citing over-saturation and high costs.UK’s lack of VAT-free shopping and high operating costs drive brands to more profitable markets.In a notable shift, several prominent Danish fashion brands are scaling back their UK operations. This trend is highlighted by the recent closure of Ganni’s London office, signalling a pivot towards Paris as a global…
