UK: John Lewis cautious despite 10% FY profit hike (MEM)

UK retail giant John Lewis Partnership remains cautious about the prospects for 2010, despite reporting a 9.7% rise in underlying full-year pre-tax profit to GBP306.6m (US$461.4m).

VIEWPOINT: Are retailers responsible for non-compliant factories? (MEM)

The Bangladeshi apparel industry has a lamentable track record when it comes to factory safety, especially fires. But where does the industry draw the line when it comes to apportioning blame to retailers and buyers?

BANGLADESH: Unions urge safety overhaul after factory fire (MEM)

Workers unions and international labour-rights organisations are demanding an overhaul of safety regulations in the Bangladesh apparel industry after a fire killed 21 people at a garment factory at the end of last month.

• ANALYSIS: Warnaco secures channels for Calvin Klein growth (MEM)
  Swimwear giant The Warnaco Group is snapping up distributor operations in popular markets for its Calvin Klein operations, it told investors this week.
• US: Gymboree to expand into Middle East (MEM)
  Retailer Gymboree is expanding into the Middle East after signing its first retail franchise agreement, with Azadea G Group.
• US: Men’s Wearhouse posts Q4 loss as sales fall (MEM)
  Retailer Men’s Wearhouse posted a fourth quarter loss of US$18.9m, impacted by a 4% sales decline.
• US: Hot Topic Q4 profit down as sales slide (MEM)
  Pop-inspired apparel retailer Hot Topic posted a 44% decline in fourth quarter profit to US$8m after experiencing a double-digit sales decline.
• VIEWPOINT: American Eagle to soar without Martin+Osa (MEM)
  Teen apparel retailer American Eagle Outfitters is going back to its roots after deciding to ditch its struggling men's and women's concept Martin+Osa.
• US: Heelys reducing SKUs as losses continue (MEM)
  Footwear specialist Heelys has moved to “significantly reduce” the number of SKUs it sells through retail channels after posting another loss in the last quarter of 2009.
• VIETNAM: Footwear leads struggling exports to UK (MEM)
  Vietnamese exports to the UK have been hit hard by the global economic turmoil during 2009, but footwear continued to be the leading category.

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• PAKISTAN: Customs authorities block cotton yarn shipments
• UK: Fabric firm Nylatex goes out of business
• US: Liz Claiborne losses narrow but sales fall
• Total forum discussions: 597 (view all)

Fast fashion moguls make rich list
11th March 2010 16:56

A number of fashion entrepreneurs sit proudly on the 2010 Forbes list of the global billionaires today (11 March).

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• Latest announcement: Leading UK Sock Manufacturer Competes Globally with SyscomERP®
• Total announcements: 94(view all)
• Add your announcement here

• GDS and Global Shoes
• Los Angeles International Textile Show
• Interstoff Asia Essential

• Report Package: Global market review of performance apparel – forecasts to 2016 and Global market review of workwear – forecasts to 2016 (download)
  Published Feb 2010 - (£ 1011.00)
• Global market review of workwear – forecasts to 2016 (download)
  Published Feb 2010 - (£ 595.00)
• Sustainability in performance apparel: meeting the demands of an eco-conscious marketplace (download)
  Published Feb 2010 - (£ 568.75)
• Clothing and footwear retail market in Central Europe 2010
  Published Feb 2010 - (£ 2083.25)
• Ethnic Hair, Beauty and Cosmetics Products in the U.S., 7th Edition
  Published Mar 2010 - (£ 2496.88)

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