Fashion Business Intelligence

Britain’s retail recovery is running on fewer people

December trading numbers and footfall trackers may suggest that UK retail has steadied itself. But behind the apparent normality of peak season sits a more structural concern that cannot be solved with a strong weekend or a good Christmas run: the sector is operating with materially fewer people than it once did. For many retailers, staffing has...

How the FullBeauty and DXL merger reshapes the Big & Tall market

Last week, two major players in the US’ size-inclusive apparel category joined hands. FBB Holdings I, Inc. (FullBeauty) and Destination XL (DXL) announced a major merger in a move that intends to accelerate respective growth plans and scale the presence of a “category-defining retailer for inclusive apparel”. Framed as a “merger of equals”, the...

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Cheap clothing imports, high-quality material exports: figures reveal Japan's fashion industry

In recent years, Japan's apparel market has consistently fallen short of the nine trillion yen level seen before Covid-19. One reason for this phenomenon is the labour shortage in the textile industry. The average annual income in the textile sector is 5.81 million yen, which exceeds the wider industry average. However, textile wages remain more...

Footfall rises ahead of festive period despite adverse weather conditions

New figures by MRI Software have shown an increase in footfall over the past week, despite adverse weather conditions temporarily discouraging travel. According to the data platform, for the period December 7 to 13, footfall across all UK retail destinations rose 3.1 percent compared to the week prior, largely driven by a 5 percent uptick in...

Head of Farfetch owner Coupang resigns following data breach

The chief executive officer of South Korean tech giant Coupang has announced his resignation on the back of a data breach that was said to have compromised 33.7 million customers and resulted in the launch of class-action lawsuits. Park Dae-jun, who had joined the company in 2012 before taking up the helm in May 2025, said in a statement to the...

Black Friday delivers muted results as online fashion stumbles

The final week of November, typically a retail bonanza due to Black Friday promotions, delivered a surprisingly lukewarm performance this year. According to the latest BDO High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales inched up by just +0.38%. While this growth is positive, it pales in comparison to the solid +18.96% surge recorded...

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2026 fashion industry outlook

As the industry prepares for 2026, foresight is essential in this rapidly evolving global environment. This exclusive report provides professionals with the critical data required for strategic decisions. It features the definitive 2026 Apparel Industry Economic Outlook, the crucial AW 26/27 Trend Report, deep dives into evolving consumer...

1. 2026 Apparel industry economic outlook

Fashion industry braces for shifting rules and low growth The global fashion industry is navigating a fundamentally new reality in 2026, characterized by persistent macroeconomic volatility, redrawn trade maps, and rapid technological disruption. Executives are seeking clarity amidst systemic shifts that demand heightened agility and disciplined...

UK footfall rises into Black Friday, yet caution persists

UK retail destinations saw their second week of momentum heading into Black Friday, with footfall rising 6.7 percent week-on-week, according to MRI Software. High streets led the way with an 8.2 percent uplift, followed by shopping centres (+6 percent) and retail parks (+4.1 percent), reflecting renewed consumer demand for in-person shopping...

UK Fashion thrives, driving overall retail growth

The UK retail sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience this week, with total like-for-like (LFL) sales jumping by a significant +6.89%. This impressive growth effectively offsets a sharply negative base of -18.32% from the same period last year, indicating a strong recovery despite challenging weather conditions. Both in-store and non-store...

Up to 10 billion pounds in festive sales at risk as consumer confidence dips

New analysis from Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) suggests UK retailers could see between six and 10 billion pounds in potential lost sales this festive season, as consumer confidence weakens and uncertainty around the Autumn Budget weighs on spending. The findings indicate that retail sales have fallen steadily throughout 2025, declining 2 percent...

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