Pioneering retail platform Lone Design Club (LDC) has opened at the Battersea Power Station mall with its new ‘Revolving Spaces’ concept taking up residency at the Thames-side location for five months.
After 18 months turning its new concept into reality, this store also marks LDC’s first London location in over a year and follows on from recent activations including Cardiff and Bristol.
But the Battersea Power Station residency also marks a new era for LDC, “shifting toward longer, more destination-driven short-term retail experiences as the business scales to its next chapter”.
The store will feature a rotating line-up of independent fashion, accessories, jewellery and lifestyle brands, each on month-long contracts with many making their London retail debuts.
Initial participants include print-driven designer Alexandra Mann; contemporary women’s ready-to-wear brand Storm Label; Emily’s Jewellery; Oceanus, a sustainable swim and resort brand; sustainable jeweller Above & Below; vintage, minimalist, design-led accessories brand Cove; and Frankie Bikinis’ ethically made, fashion-forward swimwear in bold prints.
Alongside the retail offer, visitors can expect in-store events, designer meet-and-greets, personal styling sessions, and panels on sustainable fashion and entrepreneurship.
Rebecca Morter, founder and CEO, Lone Design Club, said: “There’s no better place than Battersea Power Station [for our concept debut], a true symbol of transformation and creative energy.
“This store isn’t just a retail space, it’s a celebration of innovation, individuality, and impact, and with our month residency, it’s also our most ambitious and immersive project yet.”
Introduced earlier this year as the ‘Airbnb of pop-up retail’, Revolving Spaces is designed to “unlock physical retail for fashion and lifestyle brands [while] “helping landlords activate underused space… across the UK with curated, flexible concepts”.
LDC says its mission extends far beyond simply opening stores. As the incubation arm of its wider ecosystem, it scouts and supports the next wave of standout brands to enter physical retail, and more established brands to have an expansion partner, providing everything from staffing, logistics, and visual merchandising to fit-out and day-to-day operations.
“This allows businesses to focus on what matters most: marketing, community building, product curation, whilst LDC take care of the operations and logistics of growing their brand in real life”.
Harriett Renny, leasing director at Battersea Power Station Development Company, added: “This launch comes at a time when shoppers are increasingly turning to independent brands that prioritise quality, sustainability, and transparency. LDC’s tech-enabled, community-first approach responds to this demand with pop-up stores that are not only commercial but also experiential.
“By launching at Battersea Power Station a development known for blending retail, design, and culture, LDC continues to reshape how Londoners shop and engage with the brands of tomorrow.”
The demerger of Unilever‘s ice cream division, to be named ‘The Magnum Ice Cream Company,’ which had been delayed in recent months by the US government shutdown, will finally go ahead on Saturday, the British group announced.
Reuters
Unilever said in a statement on Friday that the admission of the new entity’s shares to listing and trading in Amsterdam, London, and New York, as well as the commencement of trading… is expected to take place on Monday, December 8.
The longest federal government shutdown in US history, from October 1 to November 12, fully or partially affected many parts of the federal government, including the securities regulator, after weeks without an agreement between Donald Trump‘s Republicans and the Democratic opposition.
Unilever, which had previously aimed to complete the demerger by mid-November, warned in October that the US securities regulator (SEC) was “not in a position to declare effective” the registration of the new company’s shares. However, the group said it was “determined to implement in 2025” the separation of a division that also includes the Ben & Jerry’s and Cornetto brands, and which will have its primary listing in Amsterdam.
“The registration statement” for the shares in the US “became effective on Thursday, December 4,” Unilever said in its statement. Known for Dove soaps, Axe deodorants and Knorr soups, the group reported a slight decline in third-quarter sales at the end of October, but beat market expectations.
Under pressure from investors, including the activist fund Trian of US billionaire Nelson Peltz, to improve performance, the group last year unveiled a strategic plan to focus on 30 power brands. It then announced the demerger of its ice cream division and, to boost margins, launched a cost-saving plan involving 7,500 job cuts, nearly 6% of the workforce. Unilever’s shares on the London Stock Exchange were steady on Friday shortly after the market opened, at 4,429 pence.
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Burberry has named a new chief operating and supply chain officer as well as a new chief customer officer. They’re both key roles at the recovering luxury giant and both are being promoted from within.
Matteo Calonaci becomes chief operating and supply chain officer, moving from his role as senior vice-president of strategy and transformation at the firm.
In his new role, he’ll be oversee supply chain and planning, strategy and transformation, and data and analytics. He succeeds Klaus Bierbrauer, who’s currently Burberry supply chain and industrial officer. Bierbrauer will be leaving the company following its winter show and a transition period.
Matteo Calonaci – Burberry
Meanwhile, Johnattan Leon steps up as chief customer officer. He’s currently currently Burberry’s senior vice-president of commercial and chief of staff. In his new role he’ll be leading Burberry’s customer, client engagement, customer service and retail excellence teams, while also overseeing its digital, outlet and commercial operations.
Both Calonaci and Leon will join the executive committee, reporting to Company CEO Joshua Schulman.
JohnattanLeon – Burberry
Schulman said of the two execs that the appointments “reflect the exceptional talent and leadership we have at Burberry. Both Matteo and Johnattan have been instrumental in strengthening our focus on executional excellence and elevating our customer experience. Their deep understanding of our business, our people, and our customers gives me full confidence that their leadership will help drive [our strategy] Burberry Forward”.
Traditional and occasion wear designer Puneet Gupta has stepped into the world of fine jewellery with the launch of ‘Deco Luméaura,’ a collection designed to blend heritage and contemporary aesthetics while taking inspiration from the dramatic landscapes of Ladakh.
Hints of Ladakh’s heritage can be seen in this sculptural evening bag – Puneet Gupta
“For me, Deco Luméaura is an exploration of transformation- of material, of story, of self,” said Puneet Gupta in a press release. “True luxury isn’t perfect; it is intentional. Every piece is crafted to be lived with and passed on.”
The jewellery collection features cocktail rings, bangles, chokers, necklaces, and statement evening bags made in recycled brass and finished with 24 carat gold. The stones used have been kept natural to highlight their imperfect and unique forms and each piece in the collection has been hammered, polished, and engraved by hand.
An eclectic mix of jewels from the collection – Puneet Gupta
Designed to function as wearable art pieces, the colourful jewellery echoes the geometry of Art Deco while incorporating distinctly South Asian imagery such as camels, butterflies, and tassels. Gupta divides his time between his stores in Hyderabad and Delhi and aims to bring Indian artistry to a global audience while crafting a dialogue between designer and artisan.