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UK retail sales drop as consumer confidence wanes, CBI reports

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March 25, 2025

According to an industry survey released on Tuesday, British retailers reported the steepest decline in sales volumes in eight months in March, with slight improvement expected next month. The data reflects growing consumer caution.

Reuters

The Confederation of British Industry‘s monthly retail sales index fell to -41 in the 12 months leading to March, down from -23 in February, marking the lowest reading since July last year.

The survey’s measure of expected sales for the upcoming month remained steady at -30. “Firms across the retail and wholesale sectors reported that global trade tensions and the autumn budget are weighing on consumer and business confidence, leading to reduced demand,” said Martin Sartorius, principal economist at the CBI.

“The combination of a faster fall in retail sales volumes and significant declines in wholesale and motor trades resulted in the total distribution sector seeing its sharpest annual sales drop in a year.”

Retailers and other businesses have voiced concerns over a £25 billion ($32 billion) increase in employers’ social security contributions, introduced in the Labour government’s first budget last October, along with additional cost hikes set to take effect next month.

© Thomson Reuters 2025 All rights reserved.



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LVMH picks Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin to head watches business

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Reuters

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March 30, 2025

LVMH has appointed Jean-Christophe Babin as CEO of its watches division, choosing a veteran watches and jewellery executive from within the group to take over from Frederic Arnault, company said on Friday.

Jean-Christophe Babin – Courtesy

The move follows other top management changes at LVMH as the five children of the company’s chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault move up the ranks of the luxury group. Frederic Arnault was recently picked to run the fast-growing Italian cashmere brand Loro Piana.

The watches division, meanwhile, has been hit with slowing demand as inflation-strapped shoppers curtail high-end purchases, with the watches and jewellery division’s sales down 2% last year.

Babin headed LVMH’s Italian label Bulgari for the past 12 years, and before that watchmaker Tag Heuer also for 12 years. Babin, who will remain CEO of Bulgari, will take up his new job on April 1.
 

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Golden Goose opens its fourth New York City retail store

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With blue skies shining through the vast glass-front windows at its corner location in the Meatpacking District, the new Golden Goose store marks a fresh era for the brand in New York City. The comprehensive space uniquely showcases the brand’s core pillars alongside new additions, distinguishing the Manhattan store from its other global locations. FashionNetwork.com spoke with Silvia Merati, CEO of the Americas at Golden Goose, about the latest opening.

To kick off the opening weekend festivities, press and influencers were invited to the space, which was lively and bustling on Thursday afternoon, with celebration events planned into the evening. The brand partnered with the culture-driven social media platform 90s Anxiety to align with its community-forward and edgy values. 

The social media platform 90s Anxiety brings a retro-cool vibe to the Golden Goose launch event. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

The Meatpacking store offers customization and personalization services, giving the space a workshop atmosphere. Guests silk-screened New York-themed designs onto clothing while others explored the area, soaking in the “hangout-slash-craft center” vibe the store evokes.

Silk-screened tees bring the 'Dreaming in New York City' concept to life.
Silk-screened tees bring the “Dreaming in New York City” concept to life. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

According to Merati, the new location aligns with the brand’s ethos. “We chose the Meatpacking area because historically, it was full of handcrafted businesses—people worked with their hands, like the meat butchers here. Then, it became a community. Handcrafted, community, tradition, and innovation are keywords for our brand. It’s also raw and industrial, which is close to our DNA,” she told FashionNetwork.com. The brand is headquartered in Marghera, Venice, Italy. She also noted that being near the Whitney Museum draws artistic-minded foot traffic.

“New York was the first place where we opened a Golden Goose store outside of Italy. We wanted to give something back to New Yorkers for their support,” she added. The brand, originally recognized for fine tailoring and sportswear, rose to global fame after launching its star-motif sneaker in 2007. A partnership with The Carlyle Group from 2017 to 2020 further propelled its growth.

Among the space’s highlights is the brand’s Con Amore concept, which debuted as a shop-in-shop at Selfridges London. Now occupying part of the multi-level, 4,424-square-foot New York store, it offers New York-inspired souvenirs and personalization features. These include shoelaces adorned with Big Apple-themed charms and faux florals for creating bouquets, with plans to host a community floral workshop as part of the opening weekend.

A display of custom sneakers with Big Apple-inspired detailing and faux florals.
A display of custom sneakers with Big Apple-inspired detailing and faux florals. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

A DJ turntable set up with vinyl records invites visitors to try their hand at spinning music. Coffee and sweet treats, rotated seasonally, will also be available.

90s Anxiety takes over the decks during the DJ experience at the Golden Goose store.
90s Anxiety takes over the decks during the DJ experience at the Golden Goose store. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

At the back of the store, a large rustic wooden worktable anchors the customization wall, where services such as cobbling and remaking are introduced. However, Merati clarified that these services are carried out at the brand’s Golden Goose “Forward” store in Soho, which focuses on sustainability.

Olivia Palermo explores Golden Goose customization options at the Meatpacking store.
Olivia Palermo explores Golden Goose customization options at the Meatpacking store. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

Customization occurs in real time at the new location, thanks to Golden Goose Dream Maker Artisans, who work directly with customers on bespoke sneaker designs. Options include the placement of signature stars, Swarovski crystals, hand-painted details, and other creative elements.

Artist Jackson Myles participates in live screen-printing at the Golden Goose Meatpacking store.
Artist Jackson Myles participates in live screen-printing at the Golden Goose Meatpacking store. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

For shoppers seeking one-of-a-kind pieces without the wait, the store offers pre-made “Co-Creation” styles. The artisans are specially trained through Golden Goose’s Italian artisan academy.

A customised leather jacket featuring New York–themed patches and embellishments at the Golden Goose store.
A customised leather jacket featuring New York–themed patches and embellishments at the Golden Goose store. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

“They love this creative job because they’re making clients happy with custom designs, offering instant gratification, and collaborating on unique pieces in the moment,” Merati said.

“This is the 2.0 store concept. You can change or remake things—laces, patches, embroidery. You can change the socks, print a T-shirt, and create an outfit. Every piece in the store can be personalized,” she added.

The store also includes ample seating, nostalgic design elements, and an elevated sneaker lounge that invites customers to relax—and shop.

“We want to create a space where our community can disconnect. They can pose for photos, meet others, and have fun. This is not just a retail space—it’s a place where people can spend time together,” Merati said. A company release described the new location as a “community hub, featuring local cultural staples and personalities that capture the grit and glamour of the Big Apple.”

The opening celebrations concluded with a private party at People’s in Greenwich Village, a popular soirée spot in a residential townhouse.

Guests gather at the Golden Goose after-party at People's in Greenwich Village.
Guests gather at the Golden Goose after-party at People’s in Greenwich Village. – Photo courtesy of Golden Goose

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Scoop tradeshow moves to new home but it’s staying within Olympia complex

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Scoop’s on the move, but it’s not going very far. In fact, the UK contemporary fashion and lifestyle trade show is moving across campus to London Olympia’s National Kensington from Olympia West for its SS26 show taking place across 13-15 July.

Its new home is the newly-renovated historic building that has housed multiple major fashion events over its 100-year history, organiser Hyve noted, making it an ideal venue to present its edited line up of premium women’s fashion as well as luxury home, beauty, lifestyle and men’s collections.

Scoop’s founder and managing director Karen Radley said: “We’re always seeking the new, and our new home will soon unveil its most beautiful incarnation yet.”

In a “landmark season” for the next event, labelled ‘For Fashionable People’, Scoop has yet to name the next show’s line-up, but SS26 “will embrace joy and optimism, celebrating the feel good in their new home at Olympia National Kensington.
 
“This season at Scoop will be a true breath of fresh air. Buyers will walk into our sunshine-filled new home… a showcase that celebrates emerging designers poised to have significant impact on the UK market,” she added.

Scoop used to show at the Saatchi Gallery but moved to Olympia several season ago, running at the same time as Pure London. However, Pure has since moved to Birmingham, leaving Scoop as the standalone attraction at Olympia.

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