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Rising costs pile on the agony for Britain’s fashion retailers. From culottes to “cold shoulder” tops and woven loafers last seen in Miami Vice, many Britons have struggled with this summer’s fashions, but now there is an even more unpalatable trend on the horizon – in the shape of higher prices.

Rising costs pile on the agony for Britain’s fashion retailers

The devaluation of sterling following the June Brexit vote has had major ramifications for store chiefs who pay in dollars for large quantities of imported goods. The first indication of where prices could be heading came last week from Next, one of the UK’s biggest clothing retailers, which pencilled in increases of up to 5% in 2017. “We have always taken the view that if our costs go up, our selling prices will go up,” said Next chief executive Lord Wolfson. But fashion retailers are already struggling to persuade shoppers to part with their cash as weak wage growth is compounded by a cyclical shift towards spending on eating out and other leisure activities. Brexit 'means economy faces 50/50 recession chance' Image copyright Reuters The UK has a 50/50 chance of falling into recession within the next 18 months following the Brexit vote, says a leading economic forecaster.

Brexit 'means economy faces 50/50 recession chance'

The National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) says the country will go through a "marked economic slowdown" this year and next. Retailers challenge national living wage. Don-Alvin Adegeest London - While the government has thus far been successful in its policy to increase the UK's national living age, some businesses and retailers are keen for the policy, set to come into full affect by 2020, to be revised or abandoned.

Retailers challenge national living wage

According to the Financial Times, 16 trade associations are challenging the policy, having written to new business secretary Greg Clark recommending he “exercise caution” on the national living wage in light of the “economic uncertainties the country faces” after the Brexit vote. Luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo boosted by weaker pound. Celebrity-favourite footwear brand Jimmy Choo has posted rising profits and said it expects a weaker pound in the wake of Brexit to further boost revenues and profits.

Luxury footwear brand Jimmy Choo boosted by weaker pound

The luxury shoes and accessories firm, popular with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Sandra Bullock, said that because only 9.5 per cent of its global revenues are in pounds compared to a larger 28 per cent of operating costs, a weaker sterling ‘will lead to a reported upside in business performance at a revenue and profit level’. The comment came as Jimmy Choo posted a 43 per cent rise in operating profits for the six months to the end of June to £25.3million boosted by a weak pound, as well as growth in China and in its men's coillection. Luxury appetite: Jimmy Choo said it saw ‘impressive’ growth in China, which has been a tough market for its competitors recently While being well-known for its skyscraper heels, Jimmy Choo's men’s line and handbags have also been doing well. Prediction: There will be no more billion dollar brands.