LK Bennett Creditors Owed £34m
LK Bennett’s liquidators disclosed that unsecured creditors are owed roughly £34 million (about $43 million) after receiving only £936,902 (≈$1.2 million) in a final dividend. Secured and preferential creditors were paid in full, leaving suppliers and other unsecured parties with a large shortfall. Professional fees for the administration and liquidation totalled £3.88 million (≈$4.9 million), far exceeding the payout to unsecured creditors. The company is now winding down, closing its remaining stores and cutting 89 jobs.
Paul Smith Unveils Made in British Isles Collection
Paul Smith has launched the Made in British Isles spring/summer 26 capsule, a tribute to UK‑based craftsmanship. The range spans from £26 (≈$33) Merino socks to a £750 (≈$960) 425 gsm herringbone cotton mac, all made from traceable, responsibly sourced fabrics. Production...
Editor’s Comment: Navigating Supply Chain Chaos Together
Drapers editor Jill Geoghegan warns that the war in Iran is intensifying supply‑chain disruptions for fashion retailers, pushing freight rates higher and extending lead times. She argues that isolated responses are no longer viable and that industry players must collaborate...
How Castore and GXO’s Partnership Led to ‘More Sustainable Growth’
At the Drapers Supply Chain Summit on April 22, Castore’s chief supply chain officer Adrian Harris explained how the Manchester‑based sportswear brand accelerated growth by partnering with third‑party logistics provider GXO. The collaboration streamlined inventory management, reduced lead times and...
How Retailers Can Weather Bangladesh’s Latest Storm
On the 13th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse, Drapers examines Bangladesh’s continued role as a leading garment‑manufacturing hub. The piece highlights the country’s cost advantages and large labor pool while acknowledging persistent safety and compliance challenges. It also discusses...
In Pictures: Uniqlo’s Collaboration with Cecilie Bahnsen
Japanese fast‑fashion retailer Uniqlo is releasing a 13‑piece capsule collection designed by Copenhagen‑based designer Cecilie Bahnsen, debuting on May 22. The line includes women’s and, for the first time, girls’ apparel that marry Bahnsen’s signature romantic silhouettes with Uniqlo’s functional LifeWear...
British Footwear Association Appoints New CEO
Ian Cartwright has been appointed chief executive officer of the British Footwear Association, succeeding Richard Shetliffe after a two‑year tenure. Cartwright joins from his role as chief operating officer at footwear brand Mahabis and is a long‑standing BFA member. Shetliffe...
First Wave of Russell & Bromley Stores Close
British footwear retailer Russell & Bromley is undergoing its first wave of store closures, with ten locations including Bath and Harrogate slated to shut on 23 April. The brand, acquired by Next in a £2.5 million (~$3.1 million) pre‑pack administration deal, now faces...
Was ABF Right to Demerge Primark?
ABF announced it will demerge its fashion retailer Primark from its food operations, creating two separately listed companies – Primark and a renamed “FoodCo” – by the end of 2027. Primark generated about £9.5 bn ($12 bn) in revenue and saw 2%...
How Is the Middle East Conflict Impacting London’s Luxury Sector?
The ongoing Middle East conflict is curbing the flow of high‑spending tourists to London, a key driver for the city’s luxury market. Drapers reports that visitor numbers from the region have plummeted, translating into a noticeable dip in in‑store sales...
Hertfordshire Indie Closes After 15 Years
After 15 years in Bishop’s Stortford, Muse Boutique announced its closure, ending a decade‑plus presence in the local women’s fashion market. Owner Dawn Larn attributed the decision to mounting operational pressures, specifically soaring wages, energy bills, and a recent surge...
Selfridges Raises Shop Floor Pay by 6%
Selfridges announced a minimum‑wage increase to £13.45 per hour nationwide and £14.80 in London, effective 1 April 2026 – roughly $17.10 and $18.80 in U.S. dollars. The move follows a wave of retail pay hikes, with John Lewis up 6.9%, Marks & Spencer 6.4%, Tesco...
ABF to Demerge Primark as Profits Fall
Primark reported sales of £4.66 bn ($5.9 bn) in the 24 weeks to 28 Feb 2026, a 2% year‑on‑year increase, but adjusted operating profit fell 13% to £471 m ($600 m) as margins slipped to 10.1%. The UK market delivered 1.3% like‑for‑like growth, while Europe lagged...
First Look: John Lewis and Amanda Wakeley’s Premium Edit
John Lewis is debuting a premium capsule collection with British designer Amanda Wakeley, launching online and in ten stores on 21 April. The line showcases lace‑detail dresses, wide‑leg cuts and drapey silhouettes in earth‑toned fabrics, priced between £175 and £395 (approximately $224‑$506)....
Cyber-Attacks One Year On: Is Fashion Retail More Secure?
Last year’s high‑profile cyber‑attacks on leading fashion chains forced the sector to overhaul its digital defenses. Since then, retailers have collectively boosted security budgets by roughly a third and deployed advanced threat‑intelligence platforms. Despite the spending, a recent Drapers survey...