Fashion
China a fit for fast fashion retailers
With an eye on the rising spending power of China's middle class, international fast-fashion retailers are rushing to open stores there, particularly in second-tier cities.
Among the latest to declare their expansion plans is Spanish clothing retailer Mango, which plans to open a further 800 stores in China as part of a global expansion programme, according to media reports.
European fashion company C&A is also expanding aggressively in China. It has already opened 11 stores there and plans to have 150 stores distributed all over the country by 2015.
Richemont Asia-Pacific sales post highest growth among all regions in FY11
Swiss luxury goods group Richemont on Thursday posted a sharp increase in fiscal 2011 profit, driven by strong sales growth across all segments and regions.
Sales increased 33 percent to EUR6.89 billion (USD9.85b) for the year ended on 31 March 2011 from EUR5.18 in the previous year. Gross profit rose 38 percent from EUR3.19b to EUR4.39b. Operating profit jumped 63 percent to EUR1.36b, double the rate of growth in sales.
H&M sales soar in Apr, thanks to favourable weather
Sales at Swedish fashion giant H&M group soared in April. Total sales increased by 21 percent compared to the same month previous year, calculated in local currencies including VAT.
In comparable units, sales increased by 11 percent. Comparable units comprise the stores and the internet and catalogue sales countries that have been in operation for at least a financial year.
Sales development in April 2011 was affected by a positive Easter effect and favourable weather, according to a statement from the world's No.2 clothes retailer.
Australia's diva launches 3 stores in Beijing, 100 more planned for China
Australia fashion jewellery retailer diva has opened its first stores in Beijing and has big plans for China over the next 12-18 months. The first three stores opened at EC Mall in Haidian District, City Mall Chaoyang District, and Beijing’s premier shopping street Wangfujing Street. These stores follow the successful launch of diva in Shanghai in September where diva opened its first two stores in mainland China.
Urban men drive China's fashion market
Seventy-six percent and rising: that’s how many Chinese urban males bought clothing in 2010, with 24 percent regarding clothes as 'important purchases', according to Chinese market researchers CTR. The trend continues as global consultants Frost & Sullivan predict that sales will hit CNY539.9 billion (USD81.7 million) by 2013, with an annual growth of 15.8 percent.
H&M launches David Beckham Bodywear
H&M on Thursday launched David Beckham Bodywear for H&M in-store worldwide.This debut collection is the first in a long-term partnership between David Beckham and H&M, and is available from Thursday in 1,800 H&M stores worldwide, as well as online.
Gap's Jan net sales down by 1pc from last year
Gap Inc on Thursday reported that January 2012 net sales decreased 1 percent compared with last year.
Net sales for the four-week period ended 28 January 2012 were USD833 million compared with net sales of USD843 million for the four-week period ended 29 January 2011. The company's comparable sales for January 2012, which include the associated comparable online sales, were down 4 percent compared with a 3 percent increase for January 2011.
Apparel retailers' high voltage bet on neon
Retailers are rolling out an electrified color pallet hoping it'll add cheer to the racks and suggest a brighter outlook for a dull economy.
Retailers are trying to make the new normal of slow economic growth feel better, according to Eric Beder, a retail analyst at Brean, Murray, Carret & Co. So, it's in with the 1980's-inspired fluorescent colours and out with the greys, blacks and neutrals.
Designer puts luxury tag on "made-in-India" label
"Made in India" clothing is often seen as the product of sweatshop labour, but fashion designer Saloni Lodha, whose fans include film stars Naomi Watts and Emma Watson, wants to give it a luxury tag.
"I have great faith in the made-in-India idea, and wanted to see an Indian, made-in-India brand in the world's best stores," she told AFP while on a visit to Mumbai to source fabrics.
Abercrombie, Gap may plan shops in India
A team from Abercrombie & Fitch, a prominent US clothing chain, was in India recently to explore setting up shop in the country, according to a top executive of a consultancy firm.
Gap, another big brand from the US, is learnt to have stepped up enquiries about the Indian market after the government recently allowed up to 100 percent foreign direct investment in single brand retail.
