Articles by Rachel Douglass
Rachel has been with FashionUnited since mid-2021. Descending from the UK, she moved to the Netherlands in 2014 to attend Amsterdam Fashion Institute, where she studied a BA in International Fashion and Branding with a specialisation in Journalism.
At FashionUnited, Rachel covers daily news, from store openings to acquisitions, alongside which she focuses on research-based stories, interviews and on-the-ground event reporting. Her topics of interest include digital fashion, independent retail and current trends.
Australia to reform modern slavery regulations
The Australian government has proposed plans to reform its Modern Slavery Act with the goal of strengthening preventive efforts against exploitation in the domestic supply chain. If implemented, companies turning in an annual revenue of over 100 million Australian dollars would be required to identify, prevent, and address risks of modern...
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Anta CEO exits amid turnaround plan
Xu Yang, the chief executive officer of Anta, has stepped down from the helm of the Chinese sportswear label for family reasons. The company confirmed the news to Chinese media outlet 36kr, which reported that Yang’s resignation was approved by Anta and a new role will be arranged for him in due course. Executive director and co-CEO of parent...
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Burberry shareholders approve new CEO pay policy despite investor opposition
Shareholders of Burberry have backed a new executive pay policy that could see the luxury brand’s chief executive Joshua Schulman receive total remuneration of up to 12.24 million pounds, despite opposition at the company’s annual general meeting. According to a new AGM filing, 64.6 percent of votes supported the directors’ remuneration policy,...
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The Very Group turns to agentic AI to modernise retail pricing
British e-tailer The Very Group has signed a three-year partnership with UiPath to introduce an AI-powered pricing system across its brand portfolio. The technology is expected to support the group’s management of margins and stock, while giving teams greater visibility into pricing performance. The technology will support pricing and...
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BRC urges incoming prime minister to support retail sector with new manifesto
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has published a retail manifesto calling on Andy Burnham, the UK’s incoming prime minister, to work with the sector on measures to support jobs, investment and the high street. The ‘Buy into Retail’ manifesto sets out 10 priorities, including reducing the cost of employing young people, reforming business...
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Ted Baker continues retail rollout with new Selfridges site
Ted Baker is continuing its return to physical retail, this time with the opening of a second shop-in-shop in Selfridges. Having previously opened a space in the retailer’s Manchester Trafford store, the British brand has now also launched into Selfridges Birmingham. The location offers a curated selection of women’s ready-to-wear, accessories...
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Kate Spade New York names new CMO
Kate Spade New York has tapped Allison Badea as its new chief marketing officer. The US luxury brand announced the news on LinkedIn, where it said the appointment comes amid the “reigniting” of the label. Badea joins the company from L’Oréal, where she most recently served as global SVP, brand experience for Maybelline New York. She also held a...
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Syntetica secures 30 million dollars in funding, Lululemon among investors
French textile recycling company Syntetica has closed on a 30 million dollar Series A funding round, with backing from Lululemon, Sri Lanka’s MAS Holdings, and the family offices of Etam and Peugeot, among others. The firm said the funding will support the construction of its first commercial demonstration facility in France, where it plans to...
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Lululemon to open first Austrian store
Canadian athleisure giant Lululemon is embarking on a new venture in Austria, where it is due to open its first regional store on September 4. Located in the capital city of Vienna on the Kärnter Straße, the new store spans over 200 square metres and houses what the brand describes to be a “welcoming environment” reflecting its “commitment to...
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UK watchdog clears Ebay, Depop merger
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has cleared the anticipated acquisition by Ebay of Depop Limited. The formal review into the merger launched in June, at which time the regulator said it was looking to determine the “impact the transaction could have on competition in the UK”. Its process involved an information-gathering period...
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