In the money
A regular in-depth analysis prompted by what’s happening in the financial world and how it impacts on the apparel and footwear supply chain from manufacturing to retail.
In the money: Marks & Spencer women's wear sales take a hit
10 January 2012
Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland admitted today (10 January) that women's wear sales fell during the third-quarter, even though heavy promotions lifted the retailer's overall clothing sales.
In the money: SuperGroup reveals grand ambitions
15 December 2011
Supergroup today revealed ambitious plans to ramp up the number SKUs it offers, while improving the quality and sophistication of its products, at the same time as reducing prices and increasing margin.
In the money: Basics a bright spot at Dollar General
6 December 2011
A slowdown in discretionary spending might have weighed on third quarter apparel sales at Dollar General, but the discount retailer says it has been buoyed by demand for core basics.
In the money: Abercrombie & Fitch stands by expansion plans
18 November 2011
Teen apparel retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is adamant its international growth plans remain on track despite seeing a softening in its European business, and says it intends to raise prices at its US stores to try to mitigate the effects of higher costs.
In the money: Sainsbury's in direct sourcing shift
9 November 2011
UK supermarket retailer Sainsbury's is shifting towards direct sourcing as its clothing business gets bigger - and expects falling cotton costs to be reflected in prices of its spring/summer 2012 collections.
In the money: M&S blames promotions for weaker H1 profits
8 November 2011
Marks & Spencer has blamed the intensifying promotional culture in its UK general merchandising division - which includes clothing and footwear - for weaker first-half profits.
In the money: Innovation lets Under Armour lift price points
28 October 2011
Innovation has not only allowed performance-apparel maker Under Armour to charge a premium for its products, but has also helped the company to a 32% hike in third quarter profit, it said earlier this week.
In the money: Esprit on long road to transformation
16 September 2011
While fashion brand Esprit is taking steps to get back on track by exiting North America and disposing its retail operations in a number of other countries, it still has a long way to go before it regains a steady footing.
In the money: Mexx sale a win-win for Liz Claiborne
8 September 2011
The deal revealed last week by Liz Claiborne Inc to sell its loss-making Mexx business to a joint venture led by private equity firm The Gores Group is a win-win for all concerned, the company believes. But analysts suggest more non-strategic brands could still be in the firing line.
In the money: Li & Fung sees growth in Asia sales and sourcing
17 August 2011
China not only continues to be key to the sourcing plans of Li & Fung, but is also seen as one of the main drivers of future growth for the consumer goods giant as it continues to face an uncertain environment in the US and Europe.
In the money: SuperGroup back in fashion
13 July 2011
Fashion retailer SuperGroup Plc has defied its critics by posting a record set of results in its first year as a listed company - and says its proven track record, coupled with changes on the sourcing front, now put it on course to accelerate its growth as a lifestyle brand.
In the money: M&S boss continues 2013 journey
24 May 2011
UK retailer Marks and Spencer (M&S) is looking at ways to optimise its store space, from stocking products according to the local area to revitalising its clothing ranges, as part of a three-year plan to take the company forward.
In the money: Tesco faces clothing challenge
20 April 2011
The new head of Tesco has told just-style that the retailer increased prices to cope with rising raw material costs last year, but admits that slumping demand for clothing is now presenting a problem of its own. Joe Ayling reports from the company's full-year results briefing.
In the money: Price hikes to worsen high street pain
2 March 2011
UK clothing retailers planning to unleash price increases this year will be squeezing consumers with battling expenditure issues of their own. Joe Ayling reports from Verdict Research's retail outlook presentation this week.
In the money: Retailer fortunes ruled by snow business
14 January 2011
A clutch of the UK's largest clothing retailers this week revealed how they had performed over the Christmas period, when the country saw some of its worst weather for 20 years. As Richard Woodard reports, there were clear winners and losers.
In the money: Primark shrugs off price pressures
9 November 2010
Discount fashion chain Primark is committed to remaining "the best value on the high street," the company told just-style today (9 November), even though it has warned rising cotton prices are set to hit profit margins in the coming year.
In the money: Cotton costs an issue for VF Corp
22 October 2010
The boss of VF Corp remains quietly confident that the world's largest apparel company will be able to sustain "near record" gross margins next year despite rising cotton prices and labour costs in China.
In the money: Republic buy highlights secondary buyout trend
3 August 2010
Private equity firms are playing an increased role in shaping the fashion industry, snapping up brands under a variety of circumstances as trade buyers approach M&A with more caution.
In the money: Clothing price inflation
28 July 2010
Latest research in the UK suggests that clothing prices are likely to rocket in coming years, after a decade of cheap high street fashion. Joe Ayling reports on the causes and effects of this inflation on the apparel industry.
In the money: Figleaves buy a good fit for N Brown
15 June 2010
N Brown's shift from catalogue specialist to online retailer took another step forward today with its acquisition of lingerie, underwear and swimwear website Figleaves for GBP11.5m (US$16.9m).
