West Midlands key shopping hub, Merry Hill, is up for sale. And given the strong performances of major UK malls, there should be keen interest, even with a price tag exceeding £250 million.
The 1.4 million sq ft retail and leisure complex in Brierley Hill has enjoyed a successful year “as one of the UK’s top 10 super-regional destinations”, its operator Sovereign Centros, part of CBRE, recently said. Record footfall, up 5.6% year-on-year so far, is expected to exceed 15.5 million this year.
Knight Frank is handling the sale on behalf of the owners, a lender consortium including Wells Fargo and AXA Investment Management, since the collapse of the previous outright owner Intu Properties, which went into administration in 2020.
Merry Hill, which features more than 175 brands, has regularly been a top performer in the UK’s unofficial mall league table. It has undergone a £125 million investment programme in recent years and boasts 96%+ occupancy.
Its line-up of major brands includes a refurbished 100,000 sq ft M&S, further investment from anchor tenants such as H&M and Footasylum (which tripled its store size), and new occupiers including the England debut of Australia-based international retailer Harvey Norman.
A new £15 million leisure quarter has also contributed to rising footfall. The wider redevelopment has added more than 300,000 sq ft of new and upgraded space.
The 92-acre site also includes a fully-let retail park and has introduced environmental upgrades, including 2,700 solar panels generating 25% of its electricity use and over 100 electric vehicle charging points.
In a statement, the Merry Hill board said: “The last few years have been transformational for Merry Hill, as investment, proactive asset management, and an effective leasing programme have combined to return it to its rightful place as a top 10 UK mall. Merry Hill is primed for the next stage of its journey, with several initiatives planned to cement its position in the super-regional hierarchy. Consequently, now is the right time for a new owner to take on an asset that is thriving to realise further value.”
If evidence was needed on the vibrancy of the UK mall sector, especially in the Midlands region, property giant Hammerson said in July it is to acquire the remaining 50% of Birmingham’s Bullring and Grand Central for £319 million cash.
Spanish designer David Catalán, whose eponymous label is registered in Porto, and Portuguese designer Miguel Vieira once again took to the runway at Milan Fashion Week, supported by Portugal Fashion. According to the organisers of the Portuguese project, the initiative was included in the official show calendar of Italy’s fashion capital, one of the most important stages in the global industry. Their autumn/winter 2026/2027 collections were presented at Fondazione Sozzani on the morning of Monday, January 19, one following the other.
Foto: Filippo Fior
While the “ASSEMBLED” collection marks David Catalán’s new approach to construction and functionality, the ‘A Tea in the Desert’ line “brings Miguel Vieira’s vision inspired by Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Sheltering Sky,” Portugal Fashion said in a statement.
“ASSEMBLED is the title of David Catalán’s collection for autumn/winter 26/27. The concept draws on the logic of traditional patchwork blankets, looking to their principles of construction, reinforcement, and layering as practical responses to cold, wear, and continued use,” the note explains. “Those principles are translated into menswear through panelled cuts, contrasting materials, and structured silhouettes, creating a winter wardrobe designed to be combined, adapted and worn in day-to-day life.”
“The pieces function as layered systems, with each element playing a specific role within the whole, combining structural rigour with a contemporary approach to menswear, and focusing on functionality, durability, and versatility.”
Foto: Filippo Fior
On his social media channels, David Catalán writes: “Inside the studio and in factories, where streetwear meets the precision of tailoring and youthful instinct intersects with craftsmanship, @davidcatalanbrand shapes a contemporary, fluid, and deeply personal voice.”
“Born in Spain, Catalán chose Porto as his base on arriving to study fashion- a city that has become integral to the growth of his brand and creative identity. Today, his work reflects an intercultural journey, combining relaxed tailoring, utilitarian elements, and a modern approach to menswear, rooted in quality and experimentation,” the post further explains, announcing that in Milan, “David Catalán takes to the runway at @milanfashionweek, representing Portugal via the Portugal Fashion platform. The ‘Assembled’ collection unfolds as a reflection on construction, layering and the dialogue between function and form- a collection that captures the energy of a new generation of menswear.”
Foto: Filippo Fior
“A statement shaped by versatility, movement and the freedom to build one’s identity through clothes,” the brand adds, underscoring: “Assembled. Versatility in every layer. Freedom in every step”.
Miguel Vieira then presented the ‘A Tea in the Desert’ collection, inspired by Bernardo Bertolucci’s film The Sheltering Sky, developed “from the arid landscapes of North Africa and the emotional intensity of the protagonists, translating these references into a tailoring proposal marked by contrasting textures, volumes and atmospheres.”
Foto: Isidore Montag
“The silhouette oscillates between structured shapes and more fluid lines, creating a constant tension between restraint and freedom,” it continues. “The colour palette includes ecru, beige, camel, brown, pink, and black, rendered in materials such as flannel, silk, alpaca, cashmere, fur, wool, and sequins. Details include prints developed in the atelier and hand-braided flannel, with accessories such as scarves, ties, and bags completing the collection.”
On its social media channels, the eponymous Miguel Vieira brand highlights “A Tea in the Desert. Rigor in every cut. Sensitivity in every detail”, reads a post on @miguelvieiraofficial, shared with @portugalfashion.
Foto: Isidore Montag
“Inside the atelier, where precision defines each line and tailoring becomes language, @miguelvieiraofficial continues a career shaped by mastery, discipline, and vision,” another publication explains. “With decades of close collaboration with the textile industry, the designer refines silhouettes that have long defined contemporary menswear. Each piece reflects a commitment to structure, detail, and the discreet confidence of impeccable tailoring”.
It further previews, in Milan, ‘A Tea in the Desert’, which reveals itself as “a new chapter in a work dedicated to men’s fashion, where rigour meets sensitivity and experience is transformed into expression.” In short: “A collection rooted in tailoring, elevated by time and guided by an enduring dialogue between fabric and form.”
Foto: Isidore Montag
After Milan, Portugal Fashion moves on to Paris and, subsequently, Copenhagen, continuing the autumn/winter 2026/2027 season with a series of actions aimed at buyers, the media, and industry professionals. This reinforces the presence of creations developed in Portugal across Europe’s main fashion centres, the organisation behind the Portuguese passerelle notes, as it invests beyond borders to take Portuguese talent and fashion labels further afield.
Portugal Fashion is a project run by ANJE- National Association of Young Entrepreneurs- with the support of its strategic partners and co-financed by SIAC- Support for Collective Actions- Internationalisation of Portugal 2030, within the scope of Compete 2030- Innovation and Digital Transition Programme- with funds from the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund.
This article is an automatic translation. Click here to read the original article.
Paon-Paon is still little-known but is already making its presence felt. The fledgling French artisanal maison is setting up a snug nest at 11 rue du Dragon in Paris, where it will open on January 30. The store is the brainchild of CEO Emmanuel Gavache, who co-founded Paon-Paon with Aurélie Introzzi, the maison’s creative director.
Paon-Paon’s first collection is big on cowhide leather – Paon-Paon
Paon-Paon was founded in December 2025, entering the market with a range of women’s footwear featuring sandals, mules, pumps and booties, some of them characterised by curved shapes, others more sharply defined. The models come in a wide variety of colours and materials, from pink or white cowhide to black or gold metal-effect leather, black or blue cashmere uppers, and more. Paon-Paon’s shoes are priced between €500 and €700, hoping to attract Parisian women with an eye for detail and luxury.
A touch of extravagance and “groundbreaking” sourcing
Introzzi, the creative mind behind the brand, said that “I design shoes because I’m profoundly convinced that footwear can do much more than change a look. Shoes influence posture, and posture can transform one’s attitude and confidence, the way one enters a room and inhabits the world.” Introzzi’s aim is to add a touch of extravagance to luxury.
Barely three months old, Paon-Paon will open its first store in Paris at the end of January – Paon-Paon
Paon-Paon shoes are made in Milan by a single manufacturer, following the “groundbreaking” sourcing strategy devised by Gavache, who is well aware of future requirements for manufacturing transparency. For example, the shoes’ leather comes from calves raised close to the tanneries that treat the material. Gavache is keen to showcase Paon-Paon’s traceable sourcing practices, and said he can organise visits to the brand’s manufacturing partners.
“Self-styled” luxury is meaningless
While Paon-Paon’s artisanal products are currently all made in Italy, Gavache is hoping to eventually produce in France, though he laments the harsh climate making it difficult to set up in business in the country. Paon-Paon is looking to expand its range, and is planning to gradually introduce leather goods and ready-to-wear within the next two years. However, Gavache prefers to describe Paon-Paon as an “artisanal maison” rather than a luxury label. “Before being deservedly labelled as ‘luxury’, [a brand] needs to be truly well-established to be identified as such. I don’t think one can self-style one’s brand as a luxury one,” he said.
Paon-Paon shoes are all made in Italy, near Milan – Paon-Paon
The same quest for the meaning of the word ‘luxury’ is mirrored in Introzzi’s words. “Having spent 12 years creating and perfecting comfortable footwear – an obsession that’s always stayed with me – working alongside top-notch artisans in Italy, I developed a desire to go a step further, travelling the extra mile and returning to what truly drives me: human nature, the environment, materials, colours, the lived experience,” she said.
Pivotal first year for Paon-Paon
The third name in Paon-Paon’s executive triumvirate is Catherine Teurquetil, who started her career in fashion and advertising before founding a children’s stationery and home decoration brand, and later taking charge of the family’s wine estate. Her business experience now enables her to actively shape “[Paon-Paon’s] vision and main strategies,” she said. According to Teurquetil, the maison’s challenge in its first year is to develop a powerful image and the vision of an established brand.
Paon-Paon is keen to become a recognised player in the French luxury sector – Paon-Paon
Teurquetil also cast light on what drove her to take part in the Paon-Paon venture: “I was immediately attracted by its creative freedom and artistic vision, as both chime perfectly with my sense for luxury and fashion.” She added that “the team’s quality, my clear desire to link up again with a demanding creative environment, and the very strong prospect of future success, made it a no-brainer.”
“Tightly controlled” distribution
After a year of preparation and barely out of the trap, Paon-Paon is already available at Printemps in New York. A “symbolically strong” presence according to Gavache, who is working on a “tightly controlled” distribution footprint. In parallel, Paon-Paon launched online and at Parisian accessories store 58M, and is hoping to work with Le Bon Marché in the capital, and with Galeries Lafayette in other French cities.
Paon-Paon shoes are equipped with removable soles, which can be replaced in Italy – Paon-Paon
For now, Paon-Paon’s priority project is its Parisian store. It extends over 70 square metres, 40 of which are devoted to the retail area and 30 to a space for product alterations and personalisation. The latter service is set to be provided by French artisans. Paon-Paon shoes, with the goal of extending their useful life, are equipped with removable soles that can be replaced in the producer’s workshop in Italy.
A “groundbreaking” sourcing approach, longer-lasting products and luxury designs don’t seem to be enough for Gavache. He has a history of investing in new technology, and is planning to bring his experience in the sector to bear. For example, he is keen to use a LiDAR scanner with volunteer customers to adapt Paon-Paon shoes to their actual foot shapes. Because, while the maison is taking flight, it might as well spread its wings in avant-garde fashion.
After ending 2024 down 2.1%, Italy’s childrenswear sector is expected to end 2025 with turnover of just over 3 billion euros, a decline of 3.2%, according to preliminary estimates by Confindustria Moda‘s Economic and Statistical Research Office. The value of production is expected to fall by 4.8% year on year.
In foreign trade, childrenswear exports are forecast to decline by 3.2%, bringing the total value of overseas sales to 1.5 billion euros and accounting for 48.9% of sector turnover. By contrast, imports are expected to grow by 1.8%, taking the total to almost 2.6 billion euros.
With regard to foreign markets, the analysis can be limited to babywear, which, according to Istat, fell by 3.9% in the first nine months of 2025 to 112.7 million euros. This negative trend affected both EU (-1.2%) and non-EU (-5.9%) markets.
During the period under review, the United Arab Emirates confirmed its position as the leading destination for babywear, posting growth of 18.1% to 10.3 million euros, equivalent to 9.2% of total exports. Despite a 2.3% contraction, Spain climbs to second place and accounts for 9.1%, while France takes third place with growth of 1.3%. The US, a strategic market for babywear, slips to fourth following a marked 17.0% decline, to 8.6 million euros and a 7.6% share. The UK and Germany, the fifth and sixth destination markets respectively, also contracted, but at very different rates: the UK recorded a modest 3.6% decline, with a value of 6.8 million euros, while Germany suffered a more pronounced 16% loss, with turnover of 4.8 million euros, corresponding to 4.3% of total exports for the segment.
Conversely, China, in seventh place, shows moderate growth (+4.5%) to 4.6 million euros, followed by Russia and Poland, with particularly strong increases of 35.3% and 63% respectively. Sales to Israel also rose sharply, up 131.2% to 3.9 million euros, taking its share to 3.5%.
Among other European markets, Portugal and Bulgaria, the eleventh and twelfth, both show increases of 1.9% and 0.3% respectively; while Greece and the Netherlands, in fourteenth and fifteenth positions, show declines of 12.3% and 14.5%, respectively. In the Middle East, in addition to the aforementioned Emirates, Qatar (2.9 million euros, +8.9%) and Saudi Arabia (2.2 million euros, +25.6%) stand out, strengthening their overall contribution.
Finally, with shares of less than 2%, Belgium and Romania show significant growth, with increases of 52.3% and 12.6%, respectively, while Croatia and Japan register smaller negative changes of 7.8% and 0.5%, respectively.
This article is an automatic translation. Click here to read the original article.