Articles by Huw Hughes
Marks and Spencer introduces visual search for mobile
Marks and Spencer has introduced a new AI-powered ‘Style Finder’ tool to its website which allows shoppers to search for items in menswear and womenswear ranges using an image. With the new feature, shoppers can upload an existing photo or take a new one of any outfit to explore a range of similar-looking products on the M&S website. The tool...
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Columbia to open European flagship store in London
Outdoor apparel and footwear brand Columbia Sportswear has announced that it will be opening its flagship European store at Carnaby Street, London, in early 2019. The store will span 2,465 square feet over two floors, and will showcase a wide range of apparel, from innovative, technical outdoor gear, to casual, outdoor-inspired collections drawn...
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Over 23,000 stores predicted to disappear from the high street in 2019
It looks like 2019 could be another difficult year for UK retail, with more than 23,000 shops forecast to close, resulting in a further 175,000 job losses, according to an annual report from real estate adviser Altus Group. Published on Monday, the findings suggest that 2019 could be even worse than 2018, which saw a drop in independent stores...
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House of Fraser sales drop 60 percent in run up to Christmas
Struggling UK retailer House of Fraser has suffered a difficult Christmas trading period, with sales dropping year-on-year in the 12 weeks up to December 18, according to Kantar Worldpanel figures reported by the Telegraph. In August, Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley bought House of Fraser for 90 million pounds when the company went into...
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Sir Philip Green launches ‘radical review’ of Arcadia
Retail tycoon Sir Philip Green has called in advisers from Deloitte to launch a ‘radical review’ of Arcadia, as the fashion group risks losing 100 stores when their leases come to an end in late 2020, the Telegraph reported. Arcadia, which owns Topshop and has closed more than 200 of its stores since 2016, has seen a prolonged dip in sales and...
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What to expect in fashion news from week 4, 2019
What’s going on in the world of fashion this week? FashionUnited takes a look ahead at the upcoming news and events for the 4th week of the year. Below are the main points from the editorial agenda in the period between 21-27 January, 2019. Paris Fashion Week Men’s (17-21 January) This week will begin with with the wrapping up of Paris Fashion...
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Childrenswear brand Wild & Gorgeous falls into administration
British childrenswear brand Wild & Gorgeous has fallen into administration after 12 years of trading. James Stares of JWS Business Recovery Limited was appointed administrator on 2 January 2019. The company will continue sales online whilst a buyer for the business and assets of the company is being sought. Commenting on the news in a statement,...
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Start-Rite Shoes CEO steps down
Start-Rite Shoes Ltd has announced that its CEO, Ian Watson, is leaving the company, effective from 31st January. Watson, who joined the British children's footwear brand in 2016, was the first non-family member to run the company, and led a fundamental overhaul of the business. Commenting on the announcement in a statement, Watson said: “It’s...
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Clarks to stop manufacturing in the UK
British footwear retailer Clarks has announced that it plans to close its advanced robot-assisted manufacturing factory in Street, Somerset, less than two years after it opened. The decision was made after the factory, named “Morelight”, failed to hit targets, with the 49 staff employed at the facility now in a 30-day consultation period, the...
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New Look to exit Belgium
Struggling British retailer New Look has announced that its Belgium arm is filing for insolvency. The decision to stop the operations of its six Belgium stores was made by the board of directors of New Look Belgium SA (NLB) following a review of its financial and trading positions. According to the company, NLB’s performance has been below...
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