Le Tigre to launch in UK

American sportswear brand Le Tigre will launch in the UK and Republic of Ireland for Spring 2007. The label, which is best known for its leaping tiger logo, includes vintage-inspired and preppy styles for men and omen, with prices ranging from £14 to £40.

Manchester agency Evil tongues will cover sales for the north of England, Good Company will look after London and the south and Billy Murphy Agencies will sell the range in Scotland.
The brand is yet to recruit an Irish agent.

13 July 2006

Growth in UK Fairtrade sales
 
New figures released by the Fairtrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) International reveal that global sales of Fairtrade certified products reached €1.1 billion in 2005. This represents an increase of 37% over 2004.
Meanwhile in the UK, the Fairtrade Foundation recently announced that sales topped £195m for 2005 – a 40% rise in one year - and are now running at a rate of £200m a year.

The speed at which the sales are growing shows an increasing demand from consumers for a positive model of trade which is fairer and more sustainable for farmers and is helping them to bring development to their communities.

“Fairtrade’s significant worldwide growth in 2005 also shows that more and more producers, traders and suppliers trust the Fairtrade Certification Mark and look to join the system. Increasingly companies are knocking on the door of the labeling organizations because they want to have the Cer¬tification Mark on their products. In the past year alone, the number of companies offering Fairtrade Certified products in¬creased by 29%. The certification system behind the cheering person in the Certification Mark is absolutely independent from any interest, and this is what people trust”, says Luuk Zonneveld, managing director of FLO International.

The increase in the Fairtrade range and Fairtrade sales means that more producer organisations are able to sell to the UK Fairtrade market. The number of producer groups who supply the UK has risen to 301, up from 197 last year, with a particularly welcome increase in the numbers of groups from Africa. Globally, the number of certified producer organizations has grown by 127% since 2001 to 508 groups in 58 countries and the number of registered traders has increased by 132% in the same period.

“The Fairtrade system encourages farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America to organise into democratically run groups and implement changes in agricultural practice. This ensures that the gradual improvements which Fairtrade makes possible are sustainable, giving communities a real chance to build a brighter future”, Luuk Zonneveld added.

FLO is investing ever more resources back into producer organizations, and in 2005 set up the Producer Business Unit to increase the support to Fairtrade-certified producer organizations. The Unit now numbers 10 people in Bonn, Germany, with a growing number of locally-based “Liaison Officers” to work directly with certified organisations and those seeking to enter the system. Thanks to a partnership with the Dutch business advisory organizations SNV, there are now 25 liaison officers on the ground and this is expected to increase to 30 by the end of 2006.. It is expected that 370 producer organizations, representing 600,000 families, will benefit from the cooperation between SNV and FLO.

27 June 2006

Ronit Zilkha to remain trading

Ronit Zilkha has found a last minute backer and will not go into administration, as was reported in Draper's Record last week. The company, which shows during London Fashion Week, has been struggling for months, and was rescued by Jonathan Mocton, finance director of footwear wholesaler NLG and Howard Moher, managing director of branded supplier Cavden Group. The due, which set up a company called Tight Finnish, took control of the designer label's six stores and 11 concessions last week.

Moncton told Drapers that there could be a problem with Spring Summer 2006 deliveries and that he had not acquired the wholesale division of the business. Tight Finish is though to have bought the order book and some spring styles are understood to be in production.

Ronit Zilkha was founded in 1991 and has been one of London Fashion Week's more successful businesses. It is known for its classic and feminine occasionwear and its use of premium fabric.

Five of its stores are in London and administrator David Rubin & Partners said the business had been badly affected by the dip in footfall in the capital following the July 7 attacks. Moncton said that all the stores would continue trading normally. Its concession in the Harvey Nichols London store has already closed, but the remaining 10 concessions in House of Fraser will continue.

www.drapersrecord.co.uk
23 October 2005

Brooks Brothers UK launch

The US clothing chain Brooks Brothers is launching its first outlet in the UK's capital. It has also made an offer for a second site in London, and aims to open 12 UK retail locations within the next five years, according to media reports.

The company was formerly owned by British Marks & Spencer and was sold to Claudio Del Vecchio's Retail Brand Alliance in 2001. Since then it has turned its attention to expanding overseas.

Brooks Brothers' first store will be located in Old Broad Street and will offer suits, shirts, ties and accessories, as well as a bespoke service. The company plans to open the store by early November.

www.brooksbrothers.com
3 October 2005

The Army: new kid on the block

The British army has been instrumental in launching a new running shoe in the UK this week. It has served as inspiration and endorser for the PT-03, a running shoe named after the army's strenuous training programme. At £79 per pair, the new shoe is competing with the likes of New Balance and Nike, according to Rob Spedding, Runner's World Magazine's deputy editor. Having tested the shoe, Spedding was extremely enthusiastic about it.

If the PT-03 proves to be successful, not only will it provide the army with a portion of the sales revenues, but it will also serve as an effective public relations vehicle. Furthermore, success now may lead to the expansion of army branding to include sportswear and outdoor equipment.

The PT-03 is available for sale internationally through the manufacturer's website, UK Gear.

www.ukgear.com
20-09-2004

Wholesalers Tap into European Market

It hasn't been a particular good season for wholesalers and distributing agents. Accounts across Europe have felt the economic duress and many stores have to date not been able to pay for their Spring/Summer deliveries, leaving London's fashion agents with uncompromising financial burdens.

While the UK market seems healthier than its German counterparts, for example, many wholesale agents are looking to branch out with a more global perspective. Especially in the top segment of the market, there is money to be made outside the UK. London is well known for its edge on fashion, and people flock from all over the world to be inspired by our forward-thinking industry. Buyers however, prefer to go to Milan, Paris and New York, where in a week's time you will be able to browse through everything from Marc Jacobs and Prada, to new and obscure collections that have only recently been launched. Add to that the difference in price between pound and euro, and you begin to understand why London is shunned.

It makes sense therefore that UK agents are looking toward global distribution. Some are setting up sister showrooms in Milan and Paris, whilst others consult their European wisdom to US giants. Having your collection ready for wholesale in the major fashion capitals gives important European independents a chance to browse and buy something they would not ordinarily have seen. It is one thing for a designer to be stocked in Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, but add to that some of the best European stores, such as Maria Luisa, Collette, Reflections and Louis, and the horizon suddenly seems a lot brighter and more secure.
<Don-Alvin Adegeest>

18 June 2002

Britain suffers most from shoplifting

Retailers in the UK fall victim to shoplifters far more than in any other European country. Thieves particularly target clothing stores.

According to the latest European Retail Theft Barometer that was published this week, shops in Britain suffer more from theft and waste than retailers in 16 other European nations including France, Germany and Spain.

The barometer reveals the UK had an annual shrinkage rate of 1.77% in 2002 versus 1.76% in 2001. Norway was second at 1.59% and Greece third at 1.53%.

Nearly 500 leading retailers representing around 32,000 stores took part in the study. Officials said apparel items were followed by alcohol. Thieves targeted cosmetics the most.

The research team added theft and waste cost the European retail sector £19.2 billion in 2002, equal to almost £50 per consumer, compared to £18.7bn, or £47 per person, in 2001.

20-09-02