Retail & Brands
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Tuesday, 24 December 2024Festive greetings – our news review of 2024
YORK – Season’s greetings to all our readers. It’s that time of the year again when we look back on some of the more memorable stories from over the last 12 months in our review of the year. Back in January, one of our more popular stories was an… -
Friday, 20 December 2024Shein joins US import protection scheme
WASHINGTON – Fast fashion giant Shein has joined the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Section 321 Data Pilot programme, which enlists companies to voluntarily submit additional import entry information about packages and shipments entering the… -
Friday, 20 December 2024Walmart to miss interim climate targets
ARKANSAS - US retail giant Wal-Mart has confirmed it is likely to miss its previously announced 2025 and 2030 interim climate targets. Writing in its latest ESG update, Walmart said that while it was continuing to work towards its “aspirational… -
Thursday, 19 December 2024Tapestry report claims GHG emissions progress
NEW YORK – Luxury fashion company Tapestry, which owns brands such as Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman, claims to have reduced its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 84% this year against its 2021 baseline. Scope 3 emissions -… -
Tuesday, 17 December 2024Psychology 'can reduce online returns' - study
MUNICH - Targeted psychological interventions on the environmental impact of fashion returns can change shoppers' behaviours, according to the largest study of its kind. The study of more than 220,000 customers and more than 100,000 orders in eight… -
Monday, 16 December 2024Fashion Leap for Climate signs up new members
LONDON / BERLIN / HAMBURG - Retailers ASOS, Boozt and the Selfridges Group have joined the Fashion Leap for Climate initiative, while Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has become a strategic partner. Fashion Leap for Climate was… -
Thursday, 12 December 2024Stand.earth outlines fashion and fracking connection
SEATTLE - The Stand.earth Research Group (SRG) says it has unearthed evidence that shows that more than 100 high profile fashion giants are using raw materials that have a link to fracked oil and gas in the Permian Basin in Texas. The SRG… -
Monday, 09 December 2024Shein appoints experts to ESG advisory body
SINGAPORE - Ultra fast fashion giant Shein has appointed former CottonConnect chairman Ram Gidoomal as chairman of its new External ESG Advisory Board (EEAB). The Chinese-owned company has also established 'Regional Strategy and Corporate… -
Friday, 06 December 2024European fashion sector at 'critical juncture'
BRUSSELS - The European fashion industry is at a "critical juncture" in which it faces increasing demands for sustainability and an avalanche of new legislation aimed at reducing its impacts, according to a new report. The European Fashion… -
Wednesday, 04 December 2024ThredUp exits Europe to focus on US market
OAKLAND - Fashion resale specialist ThredUp has confirmed that it has sold its European business, Remix, to focus on the US market. ThredUp has entered into a binding agreement for a management buyout of the subsidiary led by the Remix's general… -
Monday, 02 December 2024Exotic skins banned from London Fashion Week
LONDON - The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that London will become the first of the four main fashion weeks to ban exotic animal skins from next year's event. It means that designers staging catwalk shows at the event will have to… -
Monday, 02 December 2024Fast Retailing shares fall amid China backlash
YAMAGUCHI – Shares in Uniqlo owner and Japanese fashion giant Fast Retailing have fallen after chief executive Tadashi Yanai said the company did not use cotton from China's Xinjiang region where Uyghur Muslims are allegedly used as forced labour.… -
Thursday, 28 November 2024Uniqlo owner criticised over Xinjiang claim
YAMAGUCHI – Uniqlo owner and Japanese fashion giant Fast Retailing has been criticised by a leading forced labour expert after claiming it does not use cotton from the Xinjiang region of China in its products. Fast Retailing's chief executive… -
Thursday, 28 November 2024Progress on climate change 'still too slow'
STOCKHOLM – Progress of the Scandinavian fashion industry towards its targets on mitigating climate change is too slow with the pursuit of profits still prevailing, according to a new report. The Scandinavian Textile Initiative for Climate Action's… -
Wednesday, 27 November 2024Better Buying subscribers 'improve practices'
NEWARK - More than 70% of the Better Buying Institute’s (BBI) 22 subscriber companies have improved their purchasing practices over the last 12 months, according to the organisation's latest Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index (BBPPI). The BBI… -
Tuesday, 26 November 2024US retailers named in toxic hall of shame
SEATTLE - Most large retailers in the US and Canada are failing to protect customers from toxic chemicals and harmful plastics found in their products and packaging, according to a new report. The report, by the Toxic-Free Future NGO, includes a… -
Monday, 25 November 2024Can resale be rescued? The hunt for profits
The fashion resale market faces a paradox. Whilst consumer interest in secondhand clothing continues to grow, profitability remains elusive for many platforms - with ThredUp announcing a drop in revenues and profits in its third quarter of 2024.… -
Monday, 25 November 2024Primark claims to decouple emissions from growth
DUBLIN - Discount fashion retailer Primark claims its decarbonisation programme is beginning to decouple from growth after revealing an 11.6% reduction in carbon emissions across its value chain since last year while sales rose by 6%. Primark's… -
Friday, 22 November 2024Gore-Tex expands outerwear rental service
ELKTON – Outerwear brand Gore-Tex is expanding its Outerwear On Demand snowsports apparel rental programme to new locations across the US and Canada. It is adding 15 new locations through partners, including Alterra Mountain Company, Powdr Corp and… -
Friday, 22 November 2024Deal delivers designer dresses in 20 minutes
LONDON - Fashion rental marketplace Hurr and delivery service Deliveroo have teamed up for a “first-of-its-kind” partnership which promises to bring rental designer dresses directly to customers’ doors in just 20 minutes. Customers in central London… -
Thursday, 21 November 2024H&M signs green energy agreement in Vietnam
HANOI - Swedish retailer H&M has become the first major global fashion brand to sign an agreement under a Vietnamese government scheme to encourage its suppliers in the country to switch to renewable energy sources, such as solar panels. H&M has… -
Tuesday, 19 November 2024Wholesale second-hand start-up secures funding
LONDON – UK secondhand wholesale start-up Fleek has secured $20.4 million in a new funding round. The online platform raised $5.6 million from a seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and $14.8 million from a Series A round led by HV Capital,… -
Monday, 18 November 2024EU cracks down on fast fashion giant Temu
BRUSSELS - The European Commission (EC) and the Consumer Protection Cooperation (CPC) Network have issued a warning to Shein rival Temu, citing several breaches of EU consumer law, following calls for stricter regulations on online marketplaces last… -
Friday, 15 November 2024Amazon price capping service to take on Shein
SEATTLE - Online retail giant Amazon has introduced a new feature aimed at taking on low-cost retailers such as Shein and Temu. Known as Amazon Haul, the service will provide customers in the US with access to range of products, all capped at $20 or… -
Friday, 15 November 2024Puma sets new climate targets
HERZOGENAURACH – Sportswear giant Puma has unveiled its new ‘Vision 2030’ sustainability goals, which include a new raft of greenhouse gas reduction targets. Puma’s most recent sustainability report, published earlier this year, showed that Puma… -
Friday, 15 November 2024Mango commits to mulesed-free Merino campaign
BARCELONA - Spanish fashion giant Mango has committed to only source certified wool free from live lamb cutting, also known as mulesing, by 2030. The pledge follows the signing of the ‘brand letter of intent’ from animal welfare organisation, Four… -
Thursday, 14 November 2024Puma and Decathlon honoured by ‘good works’ index
LONDON – Sportswear brand Puma and retail giant Decathlon are amongst just 11 global companies that have been included in the Laureus ‘Sport for Good’ index. Launched in 2021, the Laureus Sport for Good Index acknowledges brands that are making… -
Tuesday, 12 November 2024Report outlines sourcing trends and challenges
HONG KONG – Artificial intelligence, automation and sustainability are all at the top of the list of major trends and issues impacting sourcing professionals at many of the world's leading fashion retailers and brands, a new report suggests.… -
Tuesday, 12 November 2024Active Apparel Group earns B Corp status
CALIFORNIA - Active Apparel Group (AAG) has been awarded B Corp status in recognition of its ongoing efforts in social and environmental sustainability, transparency, and ethical business practices. To receive certification, companies are required… -
Tuesday, 05 November 2024ThredUp announces reduced revenues and profits
OAKLAND - ThredUp, one of the fashion industry’s largest online resale platforms, has announced a drop in revenues, profits, user numbers and orders in its third quarter results for 2024. ThredUp's third quarter revenue of $73 million represented an… -
Monday, 04 November 2024New tool calculates ‘true cost’ of fashion
ANTWERP – Belgian researchers funded by the European Union have developed a new online tool designed to calculate the environmental and social costs associated with garments throughout their lifecycle. SCIRT partners (System Circularity & Innovative… -
Friday, 01 November 2024UK retailers urged to back Leicester manufacturing
LEICESTER – A group of trade unions, industry campaigners and community groups have called on UK fashion retailers and brands to support garment production in Leicester, one of the UK’s key manufacturing hubs. Writing an open letter, organisations… -
Tuesday, 29 October 2024Arc'teryx backs enzyme regenerated polyester
LOS ANGELES – Outdoor brand Arc'teryx has teamed up with the material innovator Ambercycle to use its ‘Cycora’ regenerated polyester as part of its push to lower carbon emissions and meet its targets on circularity. Ambercycle’s technology uses… -
Monday, 28 October 2024Zara starts-up US resale platform
ARTEIXO - Inditex has officially launched its Zara Pre-Owned second-hand platform in the US. The service, which is available through Zara’s stores, its website and a mobile app, aims to extend the life of customers’ garments, contribute to the… -
Friday, 25 October 2024Bestseller reports on supply chain due diligence
BRANDE – Danish fashion retailer Bestseller has launched a new report to provide greater transparency on the human rights, environmental and safety risks of its sourcing practices. The company's 'Supply Chain Due Diligence Report' covers the… -
Friday, 25 October 2024US shoppers prepared to pay more for quality
LONDON - Two-thirds of US shoppers are prepared to pay more for well-made apparel and footwear, according to a YouGov survey of attitudes towards sustainable fashion shopping. The preference was evident across income levels, says YouGov, with 60% of… -
Wednesday, 23 October 2024Nominations open for Global Change Award
STOCKHOLM – The H&M Foundation is again inviting fashion and textile innovators and entrepreneurs to apply for a share of €1 million (US$1m) in prize money in its annual Global Change Award (GCA). Launched in 2015, the Global Change Award is the… -
Tuesday, 22 October 2024Primark links with WRAP on garment durability
DUBLIN - Discount retailer Primark and UK waste charity WRAP have announced a new three year partnership aimed at giving clothes a longer life. The partners, who announced a joint project to establish an industry standard for fashion durability 18… -
Monday, 21 October 2024Gender key to sustainable clothing choices
ROME – Gender plays a key role in determining why people choose to buy sustainable clothing, according to a new academic paper on the complex motivations behind consumer choices in the fashion industry. Published in Scientific Reports, the paper… -
Thursday, 17 October 2024Outdoor brands partner for repair service
TETTNANG – German outdoor apparel brand Vaude has partnered with fellow outdoor company Globetrotter to create an expanded repair service in certified workshops. Vaude says its customers are now able to visit nine Globetrotter locations in Germany… -
Thursday, 17 October 2024Levi’s launches climate transition plan
SAN FRANCISCO – Denim giant Levi Strauss & Co has published its inaugural climate transition plan, which provides a roadmap to reaching its near-term greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target by 2030 and its goal of being a net zero company by… -
Tuesday, 15 October 2024Inditex to invest €50m in textile innovation
MADRID – Zara owner Inditex has launched a new fund that will see €50 million ($54.75 million) invested in sustainable projects predominantly in the textile sector. Inditex has confirmed that the fund will be managed by Spanish venture capital firm… -
Tuesday, 15 October 2024Brands to expand secondhand trade-in programmes
LOS ANGELES – US fashion brand Guess has partnered with textile recycling logistics specialist SuperCircle to launch an online used clothes trade-in programme named ‘Guess Again’. US customers can send secondhand clothes of any brand to Guess by… -
Tuesday, 15 October 2024Spain launches textile waste pilot programme
MADRID - Ten of Spain’s largest fashion retailers including Zara, Mango, H&M, Decathlon and Primark, have signed up to a voluntary pilot scheme to collect, manage and sort textile and clothing waste. The pilot project, known as Re-Viste, will… -
Friday, 11 October 2024Bestseller to ramp up sustainable material use
BRANDE – Danish fashion retailer Bestseller says it is to increase its investment in sustainable raw materials such as organic cotton and recycled polyester by 50% in 2025. Reporting a 4% drop in revenue to $5.2 billion (DKK 35.6b) for its full year… -
Friday, 11 October 2024Dick’s Sporting Goods implements traceability tool
MINNEAPOLIS – US retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods has partnered with AI platform Inspectorio to integrate a new supply chain monitoring system which it says will enhance its sustainability and quality control operations. After using Inspectorio’s… -
Thursday, 10 October 2024Fast Retailing to rollout Uniqlo pre-owned
YAMAGUCHI – Uniqlo owner and Japanese fashion giant Fast Retailing has announced plans for a pre-owned clothing rollout and reported progress on its circularity initiatives in its fourth quarter financial results announcement. The news comes as the… -
Thursday, 10 October 2024Decathlon signs deal with 3D innovator Unspun
LILLE – Sporting goods retailer Decathlon's investment arm, Decathlon Pulse, has formed a partnership with US textile innovator Unspun to use the latter's Vega-branded 3D weaving technology across Europe. Decathlon Pulse is to invest in Unspun's… -
Wednesday, 09 October 2024Holzweiler to implement digital product passport
OSLO - Norwegian fashion brand Holzweiler has partnered with textile traceability specialist Trimco Group and software supplier Kezzler on the implementation of a digital product passport (DPP) scheme. The DPP system will be used to improve the… -
Wednesday, 09 October 2024H&M tests sustainable technology in Bangladesh
DHAKA - Swedish fashion retailer H&M is working with one of its key suppliers in Bangladesh to test the potential of three new disruptive technologies to save CO2 emissions, water and chemicals. It is funding the installation of machines from three…
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