It looks like Very Group could be headed for a new owner, just a couple of months after US private equity giant Carlyle took control of the e-tail business.
Very.co.uk
A Sky News report said an auction is expected to start soon with major banks Barclays and JP Morgan lined up to handle the sale.
Very was previously owned by the Barclay family (no relation to Barclays Bank) and there had been attempts to sell it on several occasions. But reports suggested they had a price in mind higher than bidders were prepared to pay. Estimates of Very Group’s current value are £2 billion to £2.5 billion, which would be below the valuation the previous owners had put on it.
Carlyle had been a major lender to the business and it was able to take control under the terms of the financing deal.
The group had been controlled by the Barclay family for over 20 years and was one of a number of their assets to fall out of their control as their business affairs hit problems.
Sky said the sale plan for Very — which will report its Black Friday and Christmas trading next week — comes as Carlyle’s ownership had always been intended to be transitional. Not that any parties involved have commented on the story, which remains unconfirmed.
The group may have seen some struggles in recent years but it remains a huge business with annual revenue of over £2 billion. Its most recent results filed in October saw adjusted EBITDA of £307.1 million but a pre-tax loss of £505.4 million due to a writedown of an inter-company loan made to the Barclay family’s holding company.
Revenue at its flagship Very UK operation “was broadly stable, with a slight decline” of 0.2% to £1.83 billion, while group revenue fell 1.8% to £2.09 billion.
Canadian fashion retailer Aritzia announced on Thursday a 42.8% increase in net revenue for the third quarter ended November 30, driven by strong demand across all channels and all geographies.
Aritzia surpasses $1 billion in Q3 revenue as brand demand surges. – Aritzia
Aritzia posted net revenue of $1.04 billion, marking the highest quarterly revenue in the company’s history. Comparable sales increased 34.3 percent, with double-digit growth across retail and e-commerce and in both Canada and the United States.
By region, in the United States, net revenue increased 53.8% to $621.1 million, compared to $403.7 million in Q3 2025. Net revenue in Canada increased 29.0% to $419.2 million, compared to $325.0 million in Q3 2025.
Retail revenue rose 35.1 percent to $657.3 million, while e-commerce revenue surged 58.2 percent to $383.0 million. Over the past 12 months, Aritzia opened 13 new boutiques and repositioned four, bringing its total global store count to 139.
Net income rose 87.5 percent to $138.9 million, while adjusted net income per diluted share climbed 54.9 percent to $1.10.
“Our performance was fueled by unparalleled demand for our everyday luxury offering. This was driven by our digital initiatives, which included the launch of our app, our new boutique openings and our strategic marketing investments. Our impressive growth in the United States continued as net revenue increased 54%, highlighting our expanding awareness and the tremendous momentum of the Aritzia brand,” said Jennifer Wong, chief executive officer.
Momentum has continued into the fourth quarter, according to Wong, who cited strong holiday demand for the Winter assortment and effective execution across Aritzia’s three growth pillars: geographic expansion, digital growth and increased brand awareness.
Looking ahead, Aritzia expects fourth-quarter net revenue between $1.10 billion and $1.125 billion, representing growth of 23 to 26 percent. For the full fiscal year, the company forecasts net revenue of $3.615 billion to $3.64 billion, up approximately 33 percent from fiscal 2025.
Actress Millie Bobby Brown has launched Mills by Millie Bobby Brown, a new fashion brand for teens and young women created exclusively for Walmart in collaboration with Delta Galil USA.
Millie Bobby Brown launches teen fashion brand with Walmart. – Millie Bobby Brown
Serving as founder and creative guide, Bobby Brown drew inspiration from her own early experiences with fashion, positioning the brand as exciting, attainable, and inclusive.
“Mills is all about embracing those earlier moments of fashion exploration. I want everyone to feel comfortable and free to find what style makes them feel like the best version of themselves,” said Bobby Brown.
“This collection is made for the fashion curious girl to play in, experiment with, and make their own with a fun selection of colorways, graphics and special details. It was very important to me for this brand to be accessible to millions through our collaboration with Walmart!”
The debut collection spans ready-to-wear, sleepwear and intimates, featuring flirty cuts and playful, cheeky details. Feminine touches such as floral appliqués, embroidery and lace finishes are woven throughout the assortment, while practical design elements, including built-in shorts and bras, prioritize comfort and ease.
The assortment includes dresses, skirts, tops, denim, sleepwear, bralettes, briefs and coordinated intimates sets. Pricing is positioned to be highly accessible, starting at $10.50 for intimates and reaching $26.50 for wide-leg jeans.
“Walmart is on a journey to democratize fashion and Mills by Millie Bobby Brown delivers on the trend-right style and aesthetic our customers are looking for at the incredible prices that Walmart is known for,” said Ryan Waymire, senior vice president fashion, Walmart U.S.
“Mills by Millie Bobby Brown is an exciting new brand that stands for style and quality and offers tremendous value that only Walmart can. We are excited for the launch, and we know that our customers are going to love it.”
Mills by Millie Bobby Brown is Bobby Brown’s latest brand expansion following the success of Florence by Mills Beauty, Florence by Mills Coffee, Florence by Mills Pets and Florence by Mills Fashion.
It is available now on Walmart.com and in approximately 750 Walmart stores nationwide. The partnership was facilitated by Bobby Brown’s licensing agency, IMG Licensing.
Thirty-seven days and counting: Elizabeth Scarlett, lifestyle and accessories brand has Valentine’s Day firmly in its sights, announcing a creative partnership with Dalloway Terrace, London’s dining destination at The Bloomsbury.
Elizabeth Scarlett
Bringing together two British brands “united by a shared love of beauty and storytelling”, the collaboration will see Dalloway Terrace transformed into an immersive space “celebrating love, nature and artistry”. It’s a trend we’re seeing more and more often with brands linking up with complementary destinations in a way that benefits both partners.
Inspired by Elizabeth Scarlett’s signature wildflower motifs – the terrace will feature a specially commissioned floral installation, “drawing guests into the brand’s romantic, nature-led world”.
At the heart of the partnership is a limited-edition Afternoon Tea, specially created to celebrate the partnership with a special menu (pastries and sweets inspired by the brand’s signature storytelling).
To mark the event, every guest who books a space on the day will receive a complimentary limited-edition Elizabeth Scarlett love heart stripe pouch (RRP £38), created for the collaboration. Some of the proceeds will also be donated to wildlife conservation.
Elizabeth Petrides, founder of Elizabeth Scarlett said: “We wanted to create a moment where guests can slow down, look closer, and feel immersed in the natural world – even in the heart of the city. From the wildflowers that surround you to the wildlife artwork at the core of our brand, it honours the magic that happens when artistry and nature meet.”