Following an in-depth review of the company’s structure, the board of Associated British Foods (ABF) has announced plans to separate the fashion retailer from its food business before the end of 2027
Although inflation is cooling and the macroeconomic situation in Japan is stabilising, consumer confidence remains fragile. Against this backdrop, the fashion industry appears to have fallen out of step, with clothing and footwear prices remaining high while demand continues to weaken. This is evident in the continued decline in apparel and textile sales, contrasting with the resilience of the broader retail sector. At the same time, the weak yen is inflating import costs, forcing footwear companies to pay more without achieving significant increases in sales volume
The France-based luxury group has acquired a minority stake in Chinese fashion group ICCF, best known for its flagship brand Icicle, as part of a partnership between the two companies
The fashion retailer has launched its first mobile-friendly customer app in the UK. This follows its successful launches in Ireland and Italy, and is part of its ongoing investment in digital technology
Although overall sales remained stable in 2025, performance within the fashion sector was mixed, with clothing outperforming the far more volatile footwear segment. At the same time, weakening consumer sentiment persisted despite easing monetary policy, signalling growing uncertainty. This is particularly evident in footwear imports, which reversed sharply after a strong start to the year and declined alongside retail sales, even as import prices continued to rise. The combination of falling volumes and higher costs points to a sector increasingly squeezed by soft demand and ongoing supply-side issues
The Italy-based fashion house has appointed Stefano Cantino as co-chief executive officer, while the company’s co-founder, Stefano Gabbana, stepped down from his formal governance roles
The Japan-based fashion retailer has revised its full-year outlook upwards, following a strong first-half performance that was marked by Uniqlo’s growth at home and especially abroad
The UK-based online retailer has reported a 50% year-on-year rise in underlying profitability in the first half, according to its latest trading update, driven by higher margins and cost discipline
The Swedish fashion group is making progress towards its sustainability targets, according to its latest report, with 91% of materials being sustainable and emissions down by up to 41%
Taking place in a month, organisers frame sustainability as adaptation under pressure, exploring how business models can evolve through circularity networks and stronger supply chain accountability
The fashion group reported improved margins and a rise in operating profit in the first quarter of 2026, despite a slight decline in sales due to currency headwinds and store optimisation measures
Sales in the UK’s textile, clothing, and footwear (TCF) sector recovered in 2025, exceeding total retail figures despite periods of volatility. However, this recovery was driven more by increased transaction volumes than by higher consumer spending, with expenditure on footwear remaining largely unchanged and prices declining amid persistent discounts. At the same time, volatile yet growing online sales and increasingly responsive import patterns suggest that the sector is trying to adapt quickly to uncertain demand
Zara has entered a two-year partnership with John Galliano, tasking him with “re-authoring” its archives. This signals his return to the atelier following his departure from Maison Margiela in 2024
Several major organisations from the Spanish footwear and leather goods industry issued a joint declaration raising concerns over the rapid expansion of ultra-fast fashion platforms in Europe
Germany’s footwear and leather goods sector remained under pressure in 2025, with weak consumer and retail confidence, falling sales, and substantial discounts weighing on the market, despite the expansion of the online channel and a significant increase in footwear imports. Looking ahead, industry representatives appear to anticipate cautious stabilisation rather than a clear rebound. While e-commerce and Germany’s role as a regional hub offer some support, weak domestic demand and persistent uncertainty continue to cloud the outlook