Zara parent Inditex’s sales up by 10% | Retail News Spain. Inditex, the owner of Spanish clothing and accessories retailer Zara, has reported a 10 per cent increase in its net sales to € 17.96 billion during the February-October 2017 period as compared to € 16.40 billion in the same period last year. Gross profit of the retailer reached € 10.3 billion, 9 per cent higher than the same nine-month period of 2016. Net income also increased by 6 per cent to € 2.3 billion. Its like-for-like sales growth also remained strong during the reporting period. The fast-fashion company’s net profit during the nine months stood at € 2.3 billion with a year-on-year growth of 6 per cent. The February-October period also witnessed the inauguration of a 4,000 square metres flagship Zara store, as well as Massimo Dutti, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius, Zara Home and Oysho stores in Minsk (Belarus).
During the reporting period, Inditex launched 74, 48 and 90 stores in Europe, America, Asia and rest of the world. VF Corporation aims at 50% reduction in its environmental footprint | Sustainability News USA. American apparel, footwear and lifestyle company, VF Corporation, has charted out a new ‘Made for Change’ sustainability approach, which will stress on reducing the organisation’s global environmental footprint by 50 per cent in the next 13 years, say by 2030. The Made for Change strategy focuses on three core areas: Circular Business Models, Scale for Good and Movement Makers. VF is equally committed to improving the lives of those associated with the garment industry as workers and local community members by 2025. The brand will ensure safe working conditions at its contract supplier units.
It will work for the benefit of workers by giving access to clean water and sanitation facilities; and by promoting health, nutrition, childcare and education initiatives in its supply chain. VF also aims to bring a 35 per cent decrease in the average environmental impact of the key materials (like water and cotton) used in the production of its products. Amazon India’s seller base widens by 80% to 2.7 lakh in 2017 | Retail News India. Amazon India has witnessed an 80 per cent increase in its seller base to 2.7 lakh and the majority (50 per cent) of the merchants are from Tier II cities and beyond, revealed the company’s India Director and GM (Seller Services), Gopal Pillai. “Our seller base increased from 1.5 lakh in January to 2.7 lakh at present. We expect the same growth momentum in 2018 as well,” added Pillai. The company claims to have added 70,000 sellers between January and September.
The e-commerce mammoth is reportedly also gearing up to increase its investment by twofold on its seller app, which has already seen over a million downloads, next year. The app is essential for those who are interested to become a seller on the Amazon’s e-retail platform. Around 27,000 of Amazon’s sellers have access to retail their products across the globe. Amazon also has a wide delivery network in the country. Louis Vuitton launches Chatbot on Facebook | Retail News France. After Burberry, the European multinational luxury goods conglomerate LVMH has started offering 24 x 7 ‘Chatbot’ services on Facebook Messenger to its customers to answer their queries related to brand’s online catalogue, fashion shows and history. Powered by Californian AI startup Mode.ai, the ‘virtual adviser’ will help the fashion label to stay connected with thousands of its consumers at once and serve them better. “The service will enable our customers to stay in touch with Louis Vuitton universe wherever they are,” said LVMH Chief Executive Michael Burke in a statement issued.
The aim is to provide shoppers with an even more urbane, customized and conversational shopping experience via Facebook where the fashion house has 20 million-plus followers. The bot will help the users explore the brand’s entire of products and also give suggestions on specific items. The Chatbot has been developed to enhance the quality of relationship LVMH has with its customers. Moncler opens its first kidswear boutique in Milan | Fashion News Italy. Italian apparel manufacturer and lifestyle brand Moncler has opened its first kidswear boutique in Milan, Italy. The launch of the store has come close on the heels of Moncler’s first flagship store in the city, opened in October. The store holds mini-me versions inspired by Moncler’s adult collection with a playful spin on them. The collection has been created keeping in mind details that cater to a need for practicality and flexibility.
Spread over 207 square metres, the store’s furniture deploys luxe fabrics and materials such as ivory leather and chene fume wood in an overall red, orange, and pink colourway. The store also includes a stand-alone playground area that features interactive forms of entertainment to keep kids busy. Throughout the store, Moncler’s mascot, the Moonduck can be spotted prominently in the form of a statue as well as a patterned motif along the walls. Amazon enters Australian retail market | Retail News Australia. Amazon, the US-based e-commerce retailer, has officially launched its Australian arm. The country has now become the 13th market in the world to have its own dedicated Amazon site after Brazil, India, Japan and Spain, to name a few. The launch of Amazon’s Australian website has come just before Christmas and New Year. The arrival of the retailer will give a tough competition to existing players like Kogan, The Iconic, Lorna Jane, Stylerunner, etc.
The company reportedly claims that ‘higher than ever orders’ were placed across 23 product categories within just 24 hours of its launch. Earlier, Amazon was only selling books in Australia but now the retailer is offering a wide range of products like electronics, sports equipment, home improvement and beauty products, apparels, shoes, etc. The product range will be limited to mostly third-party sellers selling on Amazon marketplace. The company is also expected to introduce its private label products to the Australian market soon. Moncler and Kith release co-branded men’s capsule | Fashion News Italy. The latest design collaboration comes in the form of Moncler and Kith joining forces. Italian apparel manufacturer and lifestyle brand Moncler has linked up with New York-based lifestyle label Kith for a co-branded menswear capsule.
The collection includes Moncler’s signature lacquered nylon puffer jackets and vests, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and biker-inspired padded and zippered pants, all of which feature logos of both brands in white, red and blue colourways. In addition to this, accessories such as gloves, balaclavas and backpacks, leather and suede hiking boots lined with shearling round up the line.
Dubbed Kith x Moncler, the capsule retails from 170 euros to 1,365 euros and will be available for purchase 2nd December onwards in both online and brick and mortar stores. A selection of pieces will also exclusively be made available for purchase at luxury retailer Colette’s stores in Paris. New York & Company posts decade-best operating income. American fashion retailer New York & Company has announced financial results for the third quarter of the current fiscal. During the reporting period ended October 28, the company noted the highest third-quarter operating income since 2007. Its GAAP operating income stood at US $ 0.6 million as compared to a loss of US $ 2.1 million in the same period last year. Further, net sales during the quarter under review increased by 0.1 per cent to US $ 214.2 million from US $ 213.9 million in the corresponding quarter last year. Comparable store sales surged by 2.2 per cent. GAAP net income for the quarter under review reached US $ 0.4 million as against GAAP net loss of US $ 2.5 million in the same quarter of 2016.
The company’s adjusted net income remained US $ 1 million on a non-GAAP basis against non-GAAP adjusted net loss of US $ 3 million in the third quarter of the previous fiscal. In another development, the company has now acquired plus-size brand Fashion to Figure. Stella McCartney bags BFC’s first-ever sustainability award | Fashion News UK. English fashion designer Stella McCartney adds yet another feather to her hat. The designer will be honoured with the first-ever Special Recognition Award for Sustainability at British Fashion Council’s (BFC) annual Fashion Awards 2017. The award ceremony, run in partnership with Swarovski that is known for celebrating creativity and a visionary approach to fashion, will be held on December 4, 2017, at Royal Albert Hall in London. The sustainability award is a new tribute added to the event’s agenda and the council hopes that with McCartney as the first honouree, this award will push other brands/designers to approach sustainability with more prestige.
Natalie Massenet, Chairman of BFC and co-Chairman of Farfetch explained that giving the award to McCartney was an unquestionable decision. Ever since her beginning, McCartney has been committed to environmental issues and the implementation of a circular economy. Giambattista Valli enters activewear segment | Fashion News Italy. Giambattista Valli is the latest designer to enter the booming activewear market. The new activewear collection will be launched in June 2018 along with the label’s Pre-Fall line. It will feature 50-60 pieces consisting of coats, puffer jackets, sweatshirts and tracksuits. Priced between 1,100 and 2,500 euros, the collection will be available for purchase at Giambattista Valli boutiques and select speciality stores. Since his label’s inception in March 2005, Valli has become renowned for his feminine cocktail gowns and dresses that characterise string structural and well-tailored silhouettes.
However, the recent lifestyle shift towards comfort and athleisure has presented a lucrative opportunity for the designer’s (already) famous brand. The Italian designer insists that the activewear line is not a secondary line by the label but is, in fact, a step to introduce casual clothing featuring technical elements that gradually expand to include even beachwear. PVH Corp to merge Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein in India | Retail News India. American fashion firm PVH Corp. is reportedly considering to merge its brands Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein to make a single entity in India. If true, the merger would make it a company with retail business of more than Rs. 1,000 crores in the Indian market. Brand-wise, Tommy Hilfiger alone reported Rs. 750 crores in retail sales while Calvin Klein’s revenue stood Rs. 250 crores in the previous year.
The venture will reportedly be managed by Tommy Hilfiger CEO Shailesh Chaturvedi; Arvind Limited would have an equal partnership in it. The expected venture would be the flagship business of PVH Corp. in India. However, an official statement on the same is yet to be made public by the company. Industry experts feel that this move would help PVH Corp. to pay more attention while chalking out growth strategies for these brands in India for both physical and online operations.
PVH Corp. also operates Arrow and IZOD brands in India through separate licensing deals with Arvind Limited. Gender-neutral ‘Made in LA’ brand SOB all set to target millennials | Fashion News USA. Ex-Diesel Canada Chief Joey Adler has joined hands with Trey Alligood, former Gents President & Creative Director to launch a self-proclaimed 90 per cent gender-neutral apparel line, Shades of Black (SOB).
The new Made-in-LosAngeles brand is slated to be available from December 2017 and targets millennials’ demand for simplistic design and gender inclusivity. Alder served as Diesel Canada’s CEO for over 30 years while Alligood used to design for menswear label Gents. Both the fashion veterans came up with this idea of launching SOB while working together on another project called Dept of Good. Adler explained that while creating Dept of Good, a for-profit ‘Click & Mortar’ Collaborative eco-system that will also begin operations next month, she realized that, “For Millennials, life is about living.
Not about amassing.” Exceptional fabrics such as Japanese silks, Italian leather and suede, French terry and bamboo cotton have been used in the collection. GAP expands its reach in India, opens 11th store | Retail News India. GAP Inc., the US-based apparel retailer, has recently opened its fourth store in Delhi-NCR. The latest addition takes the India total for the brand to 11. The newly inaugurated store is located on the Ground floor of Pacific Mall (Tagore Garden) in New Delhi. The mall is one of the capital’s premium shopping, entertainment and leisure destinations.
Kidswear, menswear, womenswear and other fashion products are up for grabs at the store, spread over an area of 4,500 square feet. The shopping centre also houses GAP’s arch-rivals in the fashion retail business such as Zara, M&S, Guess, Calvin Klein to name a few. Zara store has been there for quite a long time now and offers two completely separate sections for men and women. GAP already has its stores operational in Indian cities of Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai other than Delhi-NCR.
The brand, known for its iconic apparel and accessories, has recently started selling its products on Amazon as well. Guess Q3 revenue climbs 3.3% to US$ 554.1 M | Retail News USA. US-based fashion brand Guess has rolled out financial statements for the third quarter ended October 28, 2017. During the period under review, the fashion retailer recorded GAAP net loss of US $ 2.9 million compared to the GAAP net earnings of US $ 9.1 million in the same quarter of 2016. Asia, Europe and the US remained the key markets for the retailer during the reporting quarter.
Guess’ Europe revenue increased by 18.8 per cent in US dollars and 11.9 per cent in constant currency. Retail sales, including e-commerce, also increased by 10 per cent in US dollars and 4 per cent in constant currency. The fashion company’s Asia revenue zoomed 16.8 per cent while retail sales increased by 3 per cent. America’s wholesale revenues for Guess, however, decreased by 2.5 per cent.
The retailer posted an increase of 3.3 per cent in its revenue for the reporting period to settle at US $ 554.1 million. Urban Outfitters Q3 FY2017 retail sales jump 3.5% | Retail News USA. Urban Outfitters Inc., a portfolio of global consumer fashion brands comprised of Anthropologie, Bhldn, Free People, Terrain, Urban Outfitters and Vetri Family brands, has reported financial results for the third quarter ended October 31, 2017.
During the period under review, the fashion company reported a 3.5 per cent increase in its net sales as compared to the same period last year. Comparable retail sales including the direct-to-consumer channel, increased by 1 per cent. Brand-wise, comparable retail sales increased by 5 per cent at Free People, 2 per cent at Anthropologie Group and 1 per cent at Urban Outfitters. “Improved apparel execution across all channels and brands helped us to have positive third-quarter sales,” underlined Richard A. Hayne, Chief Executive Officer of the company. For the nine-month period, Urban Outfitters reported net income of US $ 107 million. Lindex honoured for digital efforts at Habit Fashion Awards 2017 | Retail News USA.
Mouvent to showcase digital printing technology at ShanghaiTex ’17 | Technology News China. Walmart clocks US $ 123.2bn in revenue during the third quarter | Retail News USA. Alliance satisfied with workplace safety in Bangladesh RMG sector | Sustainability News Bangladesh. Dick’s Sporting Goods appoints Paul Gaffney as new CTO | Retail News USA. UCB to empower over 6K rural women artisans in India | Fashion News India. Macy’s Q3 sales tumble 6.1% ahead of holiday season | Retail News USA. India’s Birla Cellulose tops Global Sustainability Report | Sustainability News India. Dollar General honoured for its support of US Armed Forces | Retail News USA. Walmart to increase apparel sourcing from Cambodia | Apparel News USA. Michael Kors Q2 earnings jump 5.4% to US $ 1.15bn | Retail News USA. US retailer Kroger to launch private fashion label | Retail News USA. Tommy Hilfiger renames denim line to Tommy Jeans | Fashion News USA.
Ralph Lauren Q2 revenue declines 9% to US $ 1.7bn | Retail News USA. IKEA acquires land in Gurugram; initiates skill development programme in Telangana | Home Furnishing News India. Christopher Bailey to end his dream run at Burberry | Fashion News UK. Shandong Ruyi to acquire Invista’s advanced textile business | Supplier News China. Nordstrom to hire 13K-plus workers for 2017 holiday season | Retail News USA. Gerber Technology to assist Fashion Enter with AccuMark | IT News USA. Puma Q3 sales rises by 17.4% | Retail News Germany. Cone Denim, Lenzing & Unifi to launch sustainable first-ever ‘Future BLACK+ Denim’ | Sustainability News USA.
Lux Industries plans new innerwear for women, outerwear for kids | Retail News India. MANGO launches second edition of its sustainable collection | Sustainability News Spain. H&M opens Arket store in Germany | Retail News Germany. Amazon to hire 120 K staff for holiday season | Retail News USA. Gucci follows Armani, to go fur-free from 2018 | Sustainability News Italy. Retail News China. Epson enables faster production with SureColor SC-F9300 printer | Technology News Germany.