Outdoor performance wear label Trailberg is to open its second Manchester store, with a move into Trafford Centre signalling the launch of a wider expansion programme.
Image: Trailberg
To that end, the brand’s appointed Metis Real Estate Advisors “to acquire new sites in premium retail and leisure destinations around the UK”.
The new standalone store, situated on Trafford Centre’s central area on Upper Peel Avenue, complements its existing wholesale partnerships with Footasylum and JD, it noted.
With the new dedicated space allowing customers to “fully immerse themselves in the brand”, it will also debut the brand’s womenswear and technical apparel ranges, “new product lines that will be incorporated in future stores as the brand further diversifies its offer in response to customer demand”. Also expect the introduction of footwear next year.
Jack Spellacy, co-founder of Trailberg, said the brand “is in huge demand among consumers, so following our launch last year in Manchester city centre, the time is right to expand our store presence in more of the UK’s leading retail destinations.
“Top of the list was Trafford Centre, which is the first-choice location for a significant, loyal and engaged catchment that significantly expands our reach in the North West. This is the beginning of something very exciting for Trailberg.”
Its arrival at the centre comes after a series of major brands to open there this year, “following the debut of JD’s largest store in the world, the opening of Bershka and upsized Zara and Pull & Bear stores, and the launch of the first standalone Gymshark in the North of England”, operator Pradera Lateral noted.
Over the first nine months of the year, the French leather industry recorded a 3% decline in exports to 13.7 billion euros, according to the Economic Observatory of Alliance France Cuir, which cites a drop in orders from Asia and the United States.
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The Observatory’s economic report notes a 7% fall in exports to Asia. This downturn affected China and Hong Kong (-5%), Japan (-8%), Singapore (-27%) and South Korea (-7%). Exports to the United States also contracted by 2%, while European demand strengthened by 0.7%.
By product, exports of raw hides and skins fell by 2%, and those from the tanning and dressing sector by 1%. The decline came to 3% in both the footwear and leather goods markets. However, the leather goods sector was the only one to end the period with growth in cumulative revenue across its companies (+3%).
Imports remained stable over the period, at 10.4 billion euros. The Observatory notes a 7% drop in orders placed in Europe, while supplies from Asia rose by 7%. This situation benefited Vietnam (+13%), Indonesia (+6%), India (+6%), Cambodia (+22%) and, to a lesser extent, China (+3%).
This shift in sourcing from Europe to Asia is pushing down the average prices recorded by customs, with declines of 3% for shoes and 13% for handbags.
By sector, increases in imports were seen in footwear (+2%) and in tanning and dressing (+4%). Imports of raw hides and skins fell by 6%, as did imports of leather goods. In this category, handbag production, all materials combined, is estimated to have fallen by 2.7%.
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon will retire next year after more than a decade at the helm, capping a period when he reshaped the big-box retailer into a technology-driven powerhouse whose shares have consistently outperformed the broader market.
John Furner – Reuters
McMillon, 59, will be replaced by U.S. division chief CEO John Furner, 51, a veteran with three decades at the company, Walmart said.
Walmart’s shares cut earlier losses to trade down about 0.6%. McMillon’s decision to step down came sooner than anticipated, though his tenure at the time of his expected Jan. 31 retirement makes him one of the longest-serving CEOs in company history.
“Given that Mr. McMillon was unequivocally Walmart’s best CEO since the company’s founder in Sam Walton … the announcement will likely cause some anxiety by shareholders, particularly since the change was a bit earlier-than-anticipated,” said Chuck Grom, an analyst with Gordon Haskett.
Walmart said in a statement McMillon’s retirement was a planned transition.
McMillon took over from Mike Duke in February 2014, when the company was playing catch-up to online sales giant Amazon.com that was quickly capturing a lion’s share of the booming consumer demand for e-commerce.
McMillon tapped into the company’s vast store footprint to speed up deliveries, incorporate automation technology at warehouses, and expanded its marketplace and advertising business to boost income.
Since he took the job, Walmart’s value has more than tripled to its current $817 billion as he ramped up e-commerce efforts.
When he took over, the company’s global e-commerce sales had just surpassed $10 billion; in its most recent fiscal year ended in January, that figure had surpassed $120 billion.
“Walmart has performed very well under Doug’s tenure,” said Neil Saunders, Managing Director of Retail at GlobalData.
“It has become a way more influential e-commerce player, has integrated new technologies to improve efficiency, and has pushed into new areas like retail media.”
McMillon will continue as an adviser through Jan. 31, 2027. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer’s stock has risen 323% since he took over, outperforming the S&P 500 index.
McMillon, who joined Walmart in 1984 as an hourly associate, has served in leadership roles at all three Walmart divisions: U.S., International and Sam’s Club. He rose through the ranks to become CEO of Walmart in February 2014, replacing Mike Duke.
Furner has followed a similar career trajectory at the country’s largest private employer, joining as an hourly associate, and also heading Sam’s Club and Walmart U.S. in his three decades at the company. “Furner is taking over one of the most desirable seats in corporate America and, in our view, just needs to continue to execute against the game plan they have already put in place,” said Truist Securities analyst Scot Ciccarelli.
He takes the helm as Walmart starts to adopt artificial intelligence tools that are changing how retailers operate and interact with customers.
Furner was “uniquely capable of leading the company through this next AI-driven transformation,” McMillon said in a statement.’
The list of people who have held Walmart’s top job since its 1962 founding is a short one; Furner will be only the sixth person to lead the company, with each of the previous CEOs lasting six years or more.
“Doug McMillon has been a terrific CEO, leading Walmart’s transformation into an even bigger and stronger retail powerhouse fueled by technology,” said Joseph Feldman, an analyst with Telsey Advisory Group.
“John Furner is the logical choice to be the next CEO. He is a lifer at Walmart who started as an hourly associate in 1993, so he is a good cultural fit.”
The move is the latest in a string of leadership changes sweeping through retail as companies tackle tariff pressures, an uncertain economy and choppy consumer spending. Kohl’s, Kroger, and Target have named new CEOs this year.
Footwear label Autry is set to mark the opening of its new Milan flagship with a cultural moment during Milano Music Week, transforming its San Babila boutique into a hybrid listening bar and club for a one-night event.
Autry marks Milan flagship opening with Music Week installation. – Autry
As an official partner of Milano Music Week, Autry will reveal a mirrored box installation, in Piazza San Babila, which will project a digital countdown for two days, leading up to the event.
Then, at 6 p.m. on November 18, the cube is scheduled to open and reveal sets from an international lineup of DJs. Miami-based duo Miguelle & Tons will headline alongside Italian DJ and producer Silvie Loto. Mosa Klub and Mario Agliata will open and close the night.
The square will transform into an inclusive listening bar and open-air club, where guests will be offered silver-wrapped bites and custom cocktails, in line with Autry’s deep and intrinsic links with music and culture.
“Milan embodies the spirit of design and creativity that defines Autry’s DNA. As a partner to Milano Music Week, Autry’s one night only celebrates the city’s energy, our new flagship store, as well as a shared rhythm, one that connects people through emotion, culture, and style, true to the brand’s values of creativity and community,” said Roberta Benaglia, CEO of Style Capital and executive chairwoman of Autry.
Autry’s San Babila flagship opened in October and reflects the brand’s cosmopolitan identity and enduring ties to sport and style.
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