The AI Takeover, LuxExperience CEO, Menswear Mystery Shoppers and More in May’s Drapers
The May issue of Drapers spotlights the accelerating integration of artificial intelligence across fashion retail, previewing the Drapers Future of Fashion conference on May 20 in London. It highlights how AI is reshaping inventory management, personalization, and customer service while also flagging emerging risks such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. The piece features insights from LuxExperience’s CEO on immersive digital showrooms for luxury brands and reports on menswear retailers deploying mystery shoppers to evaluate AI‑driven experiences. Overall, the article frames technology as both an opportunity and a threat in the sector’s evolving landscape.
Shoreditch Independent UJNG Celebrates a Decade Championing Avant-Garde Design
East London luxury boutique UJNG is marking its 10th anniversary, highlighting a decade of avant‑garde design curation in Shoreditch. The independent retailer has announced a growth trajectory that includes opening two new London locations by 2027 and launching a digital...
Retailers Report Mixed Bank Holiday Trading
UK fashion retailers reported mixed results over the recent bank‑holiday weekend. A leading fashion chain saw sales dip about 4% year‑on‑year, with footfall down but conversion rates up, while e‑commerce remained flat after deeper discounting. Brands across the sector offered...
Perry Ellis Europe CEO Joins K-Way Owner BasicNet
Simon Davies, who steered Perry Ellis Europe to a 366% jump in operating profit to £2.8 m (about $3.6 m) and opened a new London headquarters, will join BasicNet Group on 16 June. During his tenure he overhauled the European supply chain, shifted the business...
Founder’s Diary: Gigi & Olive’s Georgie Le Roux
The Drapers article titled “Founder’s diary: Gigi & Olive’s Georgie Le Roux” is locked behind a subscription wall, offering no substantive editorial content to non‑subscribers. The page instead lists the benefits of a Drapers subscription, such as unlimited site access,...
M&S Pivots to ‘by Eye’ Bra Fitting
Marks & Spencer is replacing its traditional bra‑fitting process with a "by eye" method after a successful 23‑store trial. Fitters will now estimate cup and band sizes and suggest a range of styles, with physical contact only if adjustments are...
Saks Global Slashes Workforce as It Edges Closer to Emerging From Bankruptcy
Saks Global, the parent of Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, announced a 16% cut to its corporate workforce, representing less than 4% of its total staff. The reductions do not affect retail or distribution employees. The move follows...
Fallout of Middle East Conflict Continues for Fashion Retail
Drapers reports that the ongoing US‑Israel conflict with Iran is straining fashion retail supply chains and eroding consumer confidence. Shipping lanes through the Red Sea are experiencing delays and cost spikes, while raw‑material prices climb amid regional instability. Retailers are...
Castore Revenue Rises as Losses Widen
Castore reported a revenue rise to roughly £190 million (about $242 million) and EBITDA more than doubled to £30.8 million ($39 million). However, the pre‑tax loss widened 56% to £40.3 million ($51 million) as the company poured money into infrastructure, AI, brand development and international expansion....
Independents Cautiously Optimistic for May Bank Holiday Trade
Independent retailers in the UK are entering the May bank holiday weekend with cautious optimism, hoping that unseasonably warm weather will drive higher footfall. While consumer confidence shows signs of improvement, the sector still faces headwinds from inflation, supply‑chain volatility,...
Claire’s to Return to UK High Street This Summer
Claire’s, the accessories chain that shuttered 154 UK and Ireland stores and cut 1,300 jobs in April, is planning a comeback this summer. French entrepreneur Julien Jarjoura, who runs Claire’s across Europe, has secured permission from US owner Ames Watson to open...
UK Manufacturers to Join Source Fashion
Source Fashion’s July trade show at Excel London will host 40‑45 UK manufacturers, including Knitster, LaundRE, LLUK, KC Manufacturing and The T‑shirt Factory. The event highlights design‑driven, low‑impact and sustainable production as brands seek to rebuild resilient supply chains. Organiser...
Mary Portas to Open BRC Leadership Programme
Mary Portas, the veteran UK retail expert and broadcaster, will open the British Retail Consortium’s 2026 Summer School leadership programme. The BRC Learning flagship aims to equip mid‑level retail leaders with skills to navigate a market shifting from price‑driven competition...
Morrisons Cuts Nutmeg Roles
Morrisons announced that up to 365 roles in its general merchandise (GM) division are at risk as the retailer prepares to relocate the GM function from its historic Bradford headquarters to a new standalone office in Warrington, Cheshire. The move...
The Influencer Tasked with Reviving Frasers Group’s Slazenger Brand
Frasers Group has enlisted digital creator Alexei Hamblin to spearhead a revival of its legacy tennis brand, Slazenger. Hamblin will craft a content‑driven strategy aimed at younger, socially‑savvy consumers while leveraging the retailer’s extensive distribution network. The partnership signals Mike...
Mango Announces New Collection with Eckhaus Latta
Mango is launching a new collection with avant‑garde label Eckhaus Latta on 4 June, available online and in select stores. The partnership, part of Mango Collective, highlights the designers’ experimental fabrics and print development. The launch aligns with Mango’s 2024‑26 plan to...
Charles Tyrwhitt Opens Chicago Flagship
Charles Tyrwhitt opened its second Chicago location on the Magnificent Mile, marking the brand’s 12th store in the United States. The flagship offers the full menswear portfolio, from classic shirts in multiple fits to tailored suiting, knitwear, footwear and accessories. The...
Crime and Policing Act Receives Royal Assent
On 29 April 2024 the Crime and Policing Act received royal assent, ending a year‑long legislative process that began with its first reading in February 2023. The law tightens penalties for shoplifting, violence against women, cyber‑crime and knife offences, and eliminates...
Profits Inch up at Armani Group Despite Sales Slip
Armani Group posted a 3.2% rise in EBITDA to €152.7 m (about $166 m) even as constant‑currency sales slipped 4.6% to €2.19 bn (roughly $2.4 bn). Direct‑to‑consumer revenue grew 2% while wholesale channels fell 7%, reflecting a strategic pivot toward owned retail. The high‑end...
The Very Group Makes Interim CFO Permanent
The Very Group has promoted Edward Fry from interim to permanent chief financial officer after he first stepped into the interim role in September 2025. Fry, who joined the retailer in July 2020 and previously served as CFO of UK...
Spanish Footwear Brand Hoff Names New CEO
Spanish footwear brand Hoff announced Nicolas Wallace as its new chief executive, effective May 1, 2024. Wallace brings a decade at Nike, most recently as vice‑president of the Jordan brand for EMEA, and a recent CEO stint at Canyon Bicycles. Hoff,...
John Lewis Hit with Click-and-Collect Lawsuit
Landlord Hammerson and former co‑owner Aberdeen have sued John Lewis in the High Court, seeking a declaration that click‑and‑collect sales count toward turnover rent under the 1979 lease. The lease obliges John Lewis to pay a £30,000 (≈$38,400) base rent plus 0.75%...
Introducing Knitwear Brand Alpaca Apparel, Drapers’ One to Watch
Alpaca Apparel, a UK women’s knitwear label, was named Drapers' One to Watch at the Conscious Fashion Awards. Founder Claire Turner said the accolade validates the brand’s sustainable, low‑volume approach. She called for more UK fibre‑processing incentives to support ethical...
John Lewis Bolsters Loyalty Scheme
John Lewis has expanded its loyalty programme with MyJL Beauty, offering a curated edit box worth £240 (≈ $305) to members who spend £200 (≈ $254) on beauty products. The retailer now has 3.8 million active loyalty members, a 4% increase year‑over‑year, and is backing...
Adidas Profits Surge Despite ‘Volatile’ Trading Environment
Adidas reported a 14% year‑on‑year revenue increase to €6.6 bn (about $7.2 bn), driven by double‑digit growth in North America, Greater China, Japan, South Korea and Latin America. Fashion sales surged 31%, while footwear rose 4% and accessories 13%. The direct‑to‑consumer channel...
Frasers Group Snaps up Two More Outlets
Frasers Group announced the acquisition of two UK outlet centres on 29 April. The York outlet spans 250,000 sq ft and hosts 120 brands, while the East Midlands Designer Outlet covers 170,000 sq ft with 65 brands. Together the sites attract about 7.8 million visitors each...
Should Workers Be Encouraged Back to the Office?
John Lewis announced that its central teams will spend more time in the office, aiming to accelerate decision‑making and improve performance. The move reflects a broader industry debate about the value of in‑person collaboration versus the flexibility of remote work....
City Trails and Sleek Silhouettes: Merrell’s EMEA Boss on Getting Consumers to Step Outside
Merrell, the Wolverine Worldwide‑owned outdoor footwear brand, is expanding its presence in Europe, the Middle East and Africa under the direction of EMEA vice‑president Tim Selby. The company is signing new stockists and tailoring product designs that combine city‑ready aesthetics...
Claire’s Confirms 1,300 Job Cuts as Store Estate Shutters
Claire’s accessory retailer confirmed the closure of all 154 standalone stores in the UK and Ireland, resulting in about 1,300 job redundancies. Administrators Kroll reported that 350 concession outlets remain open. This marks the brand’s second entry into administration within...
Irish Retail Chain Born Clothing Closes After 16 Years
Born Clothing, a once‑popular Irish high‑street fashion retailer, has entered provisional liquidation and announced the closure of its 15 remaining stores. The chain launched a closing‑down sale offering up to 70% off inventory. At its peak the brand operated more...
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...
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...
Editor’s Comment: Are Fashion Retail CEOs Paid Too Much?
Drapers editor Jill Geoghegan questions the justification of soaring CEO pay after Next’s chief executive, Lord Wolfson, received a £7.4 million package (about $9.3 million). The commentary highlights that fashion‑retail leaders are earning well above the UK average for top executives. It...
Rodd & Gunn Opens Bristol Store
Rodd & Gunn, the New Zealand‑origin retailer, opened a 2,562 sq ft flagship store in Bristol on April 17, 2026. The new location follows a well‑received concession at John Lewis in Cribbs Mall and adds to the brand’s ten standalone UK stores after four openings last year....
In Pictures: Susie Cave Launches New Demi-Couture Brand
Susie Cave is launching a new demi‑couture label with a boutique on Kensington Church Walk, slated to open in mid‑to‑late May. The collection features 25 black‑and‑white designs that blend theatrical costume elements with a ceremonial, ritualistic aesthetic. Each piece can...
Primark Owner to Update on Spin-Off Plan
ABF will provide an update on its strategic review of a possible Primark demerger on Tuesday, 21 April, alongside its latest financial results. The review, first hinted at in November, is being conducted with input from the Weston family’s Wittington Investments...
Legal Advice for Mitigating Cyber-Risks
Partner Mark Chapman of Herrington Carmichael outlines practical legal steps for firms to reduce cyber‑attack exposure. He stresses the need for systematic risk assessments, robust incident‑response frameworks, and appropriate cyber‑insurance coverage. The advice also highlights employee training and vendor due‑diligence...