Retail & Distribution
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ArticleKizik enters distribution agreements in Japan and Canada
Kizik has entered distribution agreements in Japan and Canada as the US brand specializing in slip-on shoes continues to expand abroad. In Japan, it partnered with Marubeni Consumer Brands Inc. “We are grateful to be associated with one of the most important and exciting brands in my long-term experience ...
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ArticleGerman fashion sales seen subdued over the next 4 years
The German fashion market has been on a path to recovery since 2022, but growth remains hampered by inflation, changing consumer behaviors and the rise of ultra-fast fashion. Annual growth is set to remain below 2 percent over the next four years, according to a report by IFH KÖLN in ...
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ArticleSteve’s seeks to raise up to €300,000 in crowd funding
Steve’s, an Italian producer of sustainable premium sneakers, is seeking to raise between €100,000 and €300,000 in a crowdfunding campaign through the Mamacrowd platform. Founded in 2022 in Turin by Giulia Gandini and Filippo Gandini, Steve’s produces sneakers made from Appleskin, a material produced from the skins and cores of ...
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ArticleFrench clothing and footwear retailers have underperformed since 2019
Between 2019 and 2023, turnover in volume terms in the French clothing and footwear retail sector increased by 0.7 percent, significantly lagging the retail sector as a whole, which rose by 7.8 percent over the period, according to France’s national statistics office, Insee. Sales volumes were flat for apparel between ...
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ArticleSkechers faces challenging conditions in China
Skechers is facing “challenging” conditions in China and that could result in a “disappointing” performance in the country in the second half of the year. The US footwear company however declined to provide a forecast regarding its performance in China. In the first half of 2024, Skechers’ sales in China ...
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ArticleRendez-Vous adds fruit and vegetables to its product range
Rendez-Vous, a leading Russian footwear retailer, is offering customers the opportunity to complement their online orders with fruit and vegetables produced at the company’s organic farm in Krasnodar Krai. Launched in February 2024, the project seems to be gradually paying off. Rendez-Vous set up the farm in 2020 as part ...
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ArticleMoscow continues to drive the Russian fashion market
Moscow and St. Peterburg remain the key drivers of the Russian fashion market, local officials indicated. Over the past three years, Moscow saw a 46 percent surge in the turnover of stores selling clothes and shoes, Natalia Sergunina, Moscow’s Deputy Mayor, recently revealed. Moscow’s fashion industry currently comprises 12,800 firms, ...
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ArticleKizik signs distribution agreements for Taiwan, Italy, Southeast Asia
Kizik has entered distribution agreements in Taiwan, Italy and Southeast Asia as the US brand specializing in slip-on shoes continues to expand abroad. The agreements were signed with Wellforce Sports in Taiwan, Artcrafts International in Italy, and Nyne Ventures to cover Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. In April ...
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ArticleCanadian rail freight resumes after government intervention
Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) resumed railway services on Aug.26 after a shutdown started on Aug. 22 due to the lockout their Canadian workers in the wake of failed labor talks. Nevertheless, it could take several weeks for Canada’s railway network to fully recover from ...
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ArticleEmerging designer: Socque rocks the classics
The Covid-19 pandemic that broke out towards the end of the first quarter of 2020 in Europe, and the subsequent related lockdowns, prompted many to make major life changes. Laure Chareton’s and Camille Cour’s response consisted of launching a high-end women’s footwear brand. After a decade of helping others run ...
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ArticleRail freight halted in Canada due to labor dispute
The Canadian railway companies Canadian National Railway (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announced the lockout of their Canadian workers after failed labor talks, resulting in a shutdown of their networks in the country. The companies locked out employees who are members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference (TCRC) ...
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ArticleC-Suite interview: Fly Flot expands beyond slippers
In an attempt to attract a younger clientele, Fly Flot is expanding its collection beyond slippers and clogs to include sneakers and moccasins for both women and men. Shoes now account for 10 percent of production and the target is to double the share. Based near the Northern Italian town ...
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ArticleTJX buys a 35% stake in Dubai-based Brands for Less
TJX, a US off-price apparel and home fashions retailer, has signed a definitive agreement to buy a 35 percent stake in Brands for Less (BFL) for $360 million dollars. BFL is a privately-held company based in Dubai and is the region’s only major off-price branded apparel, toys and home fashions ...
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ArticleSecond hand reselling enjoys booming popularity in Russia
The Russian fashion market has witnessed a staggering 30 percent surge in the sale of secondhand goods in 2023, a trend that is rapidly gaining momentum, as estimated by the Moscow-based think tank, Fashion Consulting Group. Last year, the segment was valued at 200 billion rubles (€2bn), which was equivalent ...
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ArticleBirkenstock opens its first own store in Paris
The German shoe manufacturer Birkenstock has set foot in France with the launch of its first own-brand store in the country. The new shop at 17 rue des Archives, in the heart of trendy Marais district of Paris, opened its doors on July 20. The brand had until now been ...
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ArticleEsprit’s Dutch subsidiary files for bankruptcy
The Netherlands-based division of the fashion chain Esprit has filed for insolvency with the Amsterdam court as a wave of bankruptcies continues to rock the retailer. Approximately 30 stores in the Netherlands, including Esprit stores and other retailers, still sell Esprit products. A bankruptcy administrator will explore possible solutions, ...
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ArticleAllbirds partners with Belle Fashion Group to expand in Greater China
To bolster its presence in the Asian market, Allbirds has forged an exclusive distribution and licensing agreement with the Chinese Belle Fashion Group. Effective June 28, Belle Fashion Group will manage Allbirds’ operations in mainland China, Macau and Taiwan. This strategic shift from a direct go-to-market model to a partnership ...
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ArticleHow an Italian online platform aims to give more visibility to local fashion stores
JustinShop is an Italian startup that created an app allowing users to book fashion items, such as a piece of apparel or a pair of shoes, with the option to receive them at home by courier or pick them up at a nearby shop. This may not seem new for ...
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ArticleMost German, US and Japanese consumers prefer multi-brand retailers
A majority of consumers in Germany, the US and Japan prefer multi-brand retailers when shopping for fashion and lifestyle products, while direct-to-consumer retailers are losing key consumer touchpoints, a study from Roland Berger showed. The global consultancy firm surveyed over 1,800 consumers in the three countries. Eighty-four percent of shoppers ...
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ArticleEsprit’s Austrian subsidiary files for bankruptcy
Esprit’s Austrian subsidiary, Esprit Handelsgesellschaft m.b.H., has filed for bankruptcy at the Salzburg Regional Court. The announcement follows the insolvency application filed in May by the parent company Esprit Europe GmbH, headquartered in Ratingen, Germany. The bankruptcy affects 12 directly operated stores across Austria and approximately 170 employees. ...
