Retail giant Next has been a major acquirer of brands in recent years and a report claims that premium footwear chain Russell & Bromley is now on its shopping list.
Billie Piper for Russell & Bromley
Next either owns or has majority stakes in Reiss, FatFace, Joules, Cath Kidston, Made, Laura Ashley’s homewares and more. But while it has a big war chest for acquisitions, it’s not the only company targeting Russell & Bromley.
Sky News reported that the 145-year-old family-owned footwear and accessories is courting investors and Next is one of several parties in talks with Russell & Bromley’s advisers about a deal. None of the other potential buyers have been identified.
Russell & Bromley confirmed this autumn that it had appointed advisory specialist Interpath to look at funding options for the business.
In October, CEO Andrew Bromley said: “We are currently exploring opportunities to help take Russell & Bromley into the next phase of our ‘Re Boot’ vision. Since the announcement of the ‘Re Boot’ earlier this year we have made significant progress, positioning us well to build on our momentum and continue along our journey. We are looking forward to working with our advisory team to secure the necessary investment to accelerate our expansion plans.”
The company has stores and concessions in the UK and Ireland and is led by Bromley, who’s from the fifth generation of his family to run the chain.
Earlier this year, he oversaw the launch of a five-year turnaround plan focused on “refining the brand proposition, elevating the product offering, streamline operations and fuel market expansion at pace”.
In September, the change of approach could be seen when the company launched a quirky campaign fronted by pop star-turned-actress Billie Piper. It was overseen by creative director Daniel Beardsworth-Shaw (who joined as the brand’s first CD in 2024) and was an unusual move for the label that’s not previously been known for its celebrity ambassadors or surreal campaign concepts.
In its last accounts, covering 2023, the company reported turnover down to just under £40 million from almost £45 million. EBITDA was a loss of £3.2 million after a narrower loss of £404,000 the year before. And the loss after tax was £6.9 million, also wider than the loss in the prior year of £4.6 million. The company didn’t share any details about what had gone wrong.
Those accounts were filed in early November 2024 and its next filing (covering 2024) is due before the end of this year.
Whether Next or another business buys it or takes a stake (it’s unclear which option the controlling family favours) will clearly have big impact on its future direction. Next already has a strong track record in the premium sector in which Russell & Bromley operates with its stewardship of Reiss.
Next declined to comment on the Sky News story, and both Russell & Bromley and Interpath couldn’t be reached.
Japanese footwear and sportswear brand Onitsuka Tiger is entering the fragrance world with its first collection of four scents, simply named ‘One,’ ‘Two,’ ‘Three,’ and ‘Four.’
Onitsuka Tiger “One”
Named ‘Wearing Quiet Radiance,’ the eau de parfum line symbolises the beauty of contrast and was conceived by world-renowned perfumer Mark Buxton. The fragrances draw inspiration from the fusion of tradition and modern innovation, combining craftsmanship with contemporary design- elements that have defined Onitsuka Tiger’s heritage, according to a statement.
The entire process of creating the fragrance line, from the selection and extraction of materials to blending and bottling, takes place exclusively in Grasse, in Provence, the world’s perfume capital.
The four fragrances, designed to evoke a sense of stillness that allows one to reconnect with one’s essence, are encased in elegant, bright-yellow bottles that reflect the brand’s distinctive colour, and are available in Onitsuka Tiger stores and on the Japanese brand’s official website.
Onitsuka Tiger One is built around green and mint notes, followed by lemon and mandarin. White florals and jasmine form the heart, while patchouli, leather, and guaiac wood add depth and resonance to the fragrance. Onitsuka Tiger Two opens with bergamot and lemon, joined by geranium and frankincense. Finally, velvety musk and sandalwood envelop the skin.
Onitsuka Tiger Three showcases the spicy, citrus nuances of angelica, followed by violet and marine notes. Smoky and spicy nuances then gently unfurl. In Onitsuka Tiger Four, peppermint and bergamot make an immediate impression, while absinthe and nutmeg add a bold accent. As the fragrance evolves, vanilla and vetiver add depth, and the scent ends with the crystalline clarity of citrus notes.
Founded in Kobe in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, the Japanese label originally produced only basketball shoes before becoming a lifestyle brand within the Asics group following a 1977 merger.
Europe is gaining momentum in Onitsuka Tiger’s business, as is the US, but the brand continues to rely mainly on its Asian operations, particularly in China and Japan. According to company president Ryoji Shoda, the brand generated revenue of 120 billion yen last year (705 million euros), almost double the figure from six years ago, with sales of its heritage range still accounting for the bulk of its revenue and generating substantial profitability.
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Pandora has brought its leadership transition forward to January. The Danish jewellery brand announced on Monday that the Spanish executive Berta de Pablos-Barbier, until now the company’s chief marketing officer, will assume the role of CEO on January 1, taking over from Alexander Lacik. The company announced this change in leadership in September and it had initially been scheduled for completion in March, at its annual general meeting.
Berta de Pablos-Barbier will take over as CEO of Pandora on 1 January 2026. – Pandora
Pandora has opted to accelerate this transition thanks to “a smooth handover by the current CEO, Alexander Lacik, and the appointment of Jennie Farmer as the new chief marketing officer,” the jewellery brand said in a statement.
In this regard, the chairman of Pandora’s board of directors, Peter Ruzicka, commented: “The handover from Alexander to Berta has been exceptionally smooth. With the addition of Jennie Farmer as CMO, we are pleased to be able to carry out the leadership transition faster than anticipated.”
The Spanish executive Pablos-Barbier, for her part, said it would be “an honour” to lead Pandora in its next stage.
“In recent years we have consolidated a strong brand with a unique position in the accessible jewellery market. My immediate priority will be to navigate the current market turbulence as we prepare to take advantage of our untapped opportunities as a comprehensive jewellery brand and drive long-term growth. We are building a bigger Pandora,” she added.
The current CEO, Lacik, will retire after nearly seven years as chief executive and president of the brand, although he will remain with Pandora as a special adviser to the board of directors and the executive committee until the company’s annual general meeting, which will be held on March 11 next year.
On Lacik’s contribution, Ruzicka thanked him for “his exceptional leadership.”
“Since his arrival, Pandora’s revenue has grown by 45% and total shareholder return has exceeded 200%. He leaves the company with a solid foundation and significant growth potential,” he concluded.
Starting next year, Jennie Farmer will replace Pablos-Barbier as chief marketing officer. Currently senior vice-president of brand experience and channels, she joined Pandora in January 2025 and has more than 25 years of experience with luxury and FMCG brands, from Procter & Gamble to LVMH.
“Pandora is an iconic brand with a track record of redefining the jewellery industry. I look forward to building on the strong direction set by Berta and driving bold, creative marketing that connects with consumers across all our segments and channels,” she said.
After nearly two decades of collections, womenswear brand Heimstone will close its doors, founder and artistic director Alix Petit announced on December 15. The decision comes amid diminished purchasing power and an increasingly tough market. The closure is planned in two stages: its physical boutique, located at 23 Rue du Cherche-Midi in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, will close on December 20, and its e-commerce platform will cease operating on December 30.
Heimstone is currently selling its final collection – Heimstone
“For nineteen years, I have poured immense energy, total dedication and passion into Heimstone, which has shaped me as much as I have shaped Heimstone. But a life is never made up of a single chapter, and I now feel naturally guided towards the end of a cycle,” said Petit in a press release.
An “exhausting” French system
“I am turning the page with clarity, pride and serenity,” she continued. “I feel neither nostalgia nor regret, only the profound certainty that it is time to close one door to open another. Above all, thank you. You have been committed, loyal and dynamic year after year. This community of women is without a doubt the greatest achievement of this adventure.”
The Heimstone adventure draws to a close after nineteen years – Heimstone
The designer also spoke candidly in a video posted on social media, thanking her community as well as her long-standing partners, while criticising a French system that “wears down” industry players, far removed from its “official line.”
A brand with international reach
Heimstone made a name for itself with collections featuring flowing cuts and colourful prints, as well as numerous pop-up stores. The label made appearances in Marseille, Lyon, Lille and Bordeaux, as well as in Brussels and London. With Heimstone, Petit placed a strong emphasis on in-store concepts, regularly innovating. Collaborations included Damart, Catimini, Spartoo, Bocage, Bugaboo and Olivia Dar.
The brand enjoyed international recognition and sales – Heimstone
For sales, Heimstone relies on eight stockists, including Featsy by Piccadilly Circus in Annecy, By Mahe in Megève and Frimousse le Drugstore in Rennes. A graduate of Atelier Chardon Savard, Petit made Heimstone an internationally sought-after brand at the height of its recognition, with sales in the United States, the United Arab Emirates and across Asia.
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