Clothing & Shoes
The latest news, updates and analysis on the clothing and shoes segment of the the UK retail industry. Sign up to the Daily Briefing and let Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
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Mar- 2019 -6 March
Jack Wills hit by £7.5m loss
Fashion retailer Jack Wills suffered an EBITDA loss of £7.5m for the full year to 28 January 2018 compared with £6.3m profit in the previous year. The company’s turnover dropped by 1.1% for the year to £129.3m down from 2017’s figure of £130.8m. Jack Wills attributed this to a “challenging…
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5 March
Clarks closes Somerset factory leaving 35 jobless
Shoe retailer Clarks has confirmed the closure of its robot-assisted shoe factory in Street, Somerset, leaving 35 employees without a job. In January the retailer announced a proposal to cease production and close its Morelight manufacturing facility, and added that “despite [its] best efforts”, the levels of production and cost…
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4 March
Former Debenhams and John Lewis director to launch own brand
Jo Hooper, a former womenswear director at John Lewis and Debenhams is set to launch her own clothing brand. Named Nrby, the new brand will launch with a pop-up store in London’s Belgravia area according to reports by Drapers with a website said to be launched later this week. Nrby’s…
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1 March
LK Bennett could collapse ‘in next few days’
Some 480 jobs may be at risk as high end fashion retailer LK Bennett has appointed audit firm EY as its administrator while the company seeks funding. As reported by Sky News, if the chain doesn’t gain access to investment in the next few days it will be forced into…
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1 March
Gap to close 230 stores
Fashion retailer Gap will close 230 of its stores over the next two years as part of a plan to “revitalise” its brand health. The company estimates an annualised sales loss of approximately $625m (£471m) as a result of these closures. Additionally, the company estimates pre-tax costs associated with these…
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Feb- 2019 -28 February
Victoria’s Secret to close stores following Christmas ‘decline’
Victoria’s Secret has announced it is to close stores following a “decline in performance” over the second half of 2018. The retailer’s parent company L Brands, announced it was to close 53 of North American Victoria’s Secrets stores following the 2018 results which saw in-store sales fall by 7%. Victoria’s…
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27 February
Ted Baker shares plunge amid profit warning
Ted Baker’s shares plunged as much as 17% in early trading after it warned profits are expected to below market expectations. The fashion retailer said profit before tax is now expected to be in the region of £63m, well below the £73.5m it reported during the same period last year.…
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26 February
Karren Brady leaves Arcadia Group
Karren Brady has left her role as chairman at Philip Green’s Taveta, the company behind Arcadia Group. Earlier this month Brady said she had a “duty” to employees to remain in her role, with her support for Green’s business under pressure following staff allegations of sexual harassment, racial abuse and…
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26 February
Laura Ashley faces £20m takeover bid
Struggling retail company Laura Ashley could be bought out by investment firm Flacks Group, it has been confirmed. The investment company released a statement in response to speculative media reports, which suggested there would be a possible buyout of the retailer. Laura Ashley denied the claims on Monday 25 February…
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25 February
Primark owner reports 4% sales boost for H1 2019
Associated British Foods (AFB), which owns Primark, has announced that sales at the retailer are expected to be 4% ahead of last year for the 24 weeks to 2 March 2019, driven by increased retail selling space. The group said the results will be partially offset by a 2% decline…
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