Fashion
Netherlands Retail: footwear sales pick up amid market pressures
The Dutch footwear market showed mixed developments during the summer months. The footwear and leather goods sector recorded three consecutive months of year-on-year turnover growth, which coincided with increased household spending despite negative consumer confidence. At the same time, footwear prices continued to fall compared with a year earlier, while retailers faced rising costs in sourcing, logistics and labour. Online sales continued to outperform the total retail sector, although growth in sales volumes moderated in September
Primark reports full-year mixed sales performance
Associated British Foods-owned Primark recorded mixed sales performance across its markets, with slight growth in the UK and declines in Europe, while increases its investment in product offerings and digital initiatives
Frasers Group increases stake in Hugo Boss to more than 50%
Hugo Boss will become a subsidiary of British retailer Frasers Group after the latter increased its stake in the company to more than 50%, strengthening its position as Hugo Boss’s majority shareholder
Zalando appoints Tom Christenson as SVP to drive B2B growth
The Germany-based online fashion retailer has appointed Tom Christenson as Senior Vice President to further advance its B2B business in the areas of logistics, software and services
Mango promotes Marlies Hersbach to Chief People Officer
The Spain-based company has promoted Marlies Hersbach, who is currently Chief Online and Customer Officer, to the position of Chief People Officer with effect from January 2027
ARTE and ESIC join forces to develop Spanish fashion retail talent
The Spanish Retail Textile Association (ARTE) and ESIC Corporate Education have signed an agreement aimed at strengthening professional training, recruitment, and talent retention across the fashion retail sector
Mango appoints new Chief Retail Officer
The Spain-based fashion retailer has appointed Katarzyna Niemirowicz-Majtas (Kasia) as Chief Retail Officer. She will oversee the company’s global retail and commercial operations
H&M improves third-quarter profitability despite modest sales growth
The Sweden-based fashion group reported improved profitability in the third quarter of the 2026 financial year, even though sales increased by just 1% in local currencies
German fashion consumers prioritise fit and value as spending slows
German consumers are becoming more restrained in their fashion spending, while fit, comfort and conveniente, and value for money continue to dominate purchasing decisions, according to the GermanFashion Consumer Panel 2026
Japan Retail: Higher rates meet an uneven fashion recovery
Against a backdrop of renewed price pressures and a weaker yen, the Japanese fashion market has experienced an uneven recovery. Interest rates have continued to rise, and consumer confidence remains subdued. Within the fashion sector, clothing inflation has outpaced that of footwear. Commercial sales also diverged, with textile sales enjoying a strong rebound, whereas apparel and accessories only returned to marginal growth. Meanwhile, despite falling volumes, footwear import value held up, supported by higher average prices
Inditex posts first-half sales growth
The parent company of brands such as Zara and Pull&Bear, reported a 7.6% increase in sales during the first half of the year, driven by solid demand from customers for its spring/summer collections
Azzas 2154 plans split into Arezzo&Co and SOMA
The Brazilian fashion group Arezzo & Co has announced plans to reorganise its businesses into two independent listed companies, Arezzo & Co and Soma. The former is set to concentrate the group’s Shoes & Bags operations
CHIC Autumn 2026 attracts more than 61,000 visitors to Shanghai
CHIC Autumn welcomed 61,824 trade visitors and 738 exhibitors from the 25th to the 27th of August of 2026, with international buyers from 17 countries attending the Shanghai fashion trade fair
US Retail: Footwear remains under pressure as consumers turn to value
The US footwear market started 2026 under pressure. Footwear inflation accelerated beyond headline inflation, while sales lagged behind those in the wider retail and fashion sectors. Additionally, a rebound in imports in late spring contrasted with weakening consumer confidence. Together, these trends point to a market where rising prices, uneven demand and recovering supply are creating a more challenging environment, with consumers becoming increasingly selective and value-conscious
Portuguese fashion takes centre stage at the United Nations
Representatives of the Portuguese fashion industry will present the sector at the United Nations headquarters on the 10th of September, during an event held alongside New York Fashion Week-
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