British high street champion Next has positively surprised the market by returning to growth after a weak start to the year. The retailer said trading had been volatile but reported total sales up 4.3 percent percent in the 13 weeks to October 26. Next now expects pre-tax profit to come in at a bracket of 650 to 680 million pounds, this is a 9.4 percent year-on-year increase. The apparel retailer previously issued pre-tax profits guidance in the range of 635 to 675 million pounds. The sale

Global management company Bain & Company has stated the sale of luxury goods will increase by 6 percent this year. In a report Bain said worldwide sales of personal luxury goods would rise 6 percent at constant exchange rates in 2013, higher than the 5 percent rise seen in 2012. The growth rate would be 2 percent at current exchange rates, due to the strength of the euro against the US dollar and the Japanese yen. The worldwide market in luxury goods is set to be worth 217 billion euros i

Men are shopping in their droves in John Lewis. The department store group has revealed nearly half of its customers are now men as women lose their dominant shopping status as Britain’s principal shoppers. "Men now account for 44 percent of customers and we are seeing them as more assertive in their shopping habits and taking more care in their appearance and clothes than ever before,” said managing director Andy Street. Research shows almost half of shoppers under 34 years old Following an

Chinese label JNBY made its Canadian runway debut at World MasterCard Fashion Week in Toronto for Spring 2014. The way cool contemporary brand is fondly described as China’s J.Crew, and proved itself to be just that with crinkly, wispy layers to spare. Less varsity sweater, more architectural inspiration, JNBY’s spring collection featured an earthy palette of muddy browns, sage green and beach-worthy whites in a multitude of layering pieces. An array just ripe for the understated elegant type

Paris | Source: Shutterstock DFS Group, an operator of duty-free shops controlled by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA (MC), said it plans to open its first stores in Europe to cater to Chinese consumers who travel more frequently to the region. The company plans to add “a few” outlets in Europe in 2016 and is looking at prime destinations for Chinese tourists, such as France, Italy and Switzerland, Chief Operating Officer Michael Schriver said. DFS, which gets more than half of its glob

Anya Hindmarch, Asprey and Selfridges are among the fashion nominees who will compete for the ‘British Luxury Brand’ accolade at this year’s Walpole Awards for Excellence. Won last year by English heritage label Mulberry, the designer labels and luxury department store will have to take on McLaren Automotive and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars to win the prestigious award. The awards from Walpole, the not-for-profit organisation which represents over 175 British luxury brands, honours individuals and

Priyanka for Guess – Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra is the latest star of GUESS’ Holiday 2013 campaign, appearing in the brand’s signature black and white style shot by Bryan Adams. Chopra is no stranger to modeling, appearing in shoots for magazines like GQ India and winning Miss India and Miss World titles. “Priyanka reminds me of the young Sophia Loren and the top actresses of the 1950s. With the Indian movie industry exploding on a global stage, and GUESS having a brand presence in 87 countr

Street Style – Models Frida Gustavsson and Martha Hunt star in the fall 2013 advertising campaign from Max&Co. Photographed by Josh Olins, the duo hits the streets in style wearing colorful separates, boxy jackets and knit skirts in the sunny images. Collared shirts and denim pants are the must-have essentials for the new season. Source: Fashion Gone Rogue.

Topshop has come to France. The directional high street fashion retailer has opened a concession in Paris' Galeries Lafayette department store. The concession features near 2,000 square feet and on display are Topshop's core fashion collections, including Topshop Unique, shoes, accessories, make-up in addition to its collaborations and more premium lines. Topshop owner Sir Philip Green stated: “I walked the space myself earlier this month when under construction and was impressed by the locat

Lady Gaga spent the week in Berlin, making a series of public appearances apparently designed to remind Halloween that it has nothing on Lady Gaga's typical Tuesday. And also to demonstrate that she loved all the same things I did when I was little. Things like: Goldilocks Who needs bears' chairs when you can stand on top of a wall and act like a god? Strawberry Shortcake This, by the way, was taken at the airport. Let that sink in for a second. I won't even wear pants with a zipper when