Articles by AFP
Swiss watch exports rise 9.1 percent in August, driven by China and Japan
Zurich - Swiss watch exports climbed 9.1 percent in August to 1.78 billion Swiss francs, driven mainly by China and Japan, which offset a sharp decline towards the US, the watchmaking federation announced on Thursday. In August, Swiss watch exports jumped by 22.1 percent to Japan and 15.8 percent to China compared to the same period a year...
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Ralph Lauren blends styles ahead of New York Fashion Week
New York – From a brocade jacket paired with ripped jeans to a sequined flapper dress over flowing trousers, Ralph Lauren presented a spring/summer 2027 collection “reinterpreting historical references” ahead of New York Fashion Week on Wednesday. Tailored trousers were worn with a leather jacket, a boater hat and ballet flats, watched by French...
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Audience for Temu and AliExpress drops in France during Q2, Shein remains stable
Paris - The number of visitors to the Temu and AliExpress websites significantly declined in France during the second quarter. This drop occurred even before the implementation of the three euro European tax targeting small parcels, Fevad and Médiamétrie revealed on Wednesday. “While the overall audience for the sector remains at a very high...
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Céline Dion's return to stage fuels merchandise boom
“It’s not an impulse buy, I’m owning it!” exclaimed Anthony Cayer, a Céline Dion fan who spoke to AFP in Paris. He had spent almost 400 euros in a pop-up shop dedicated to the Quebecois star. T-shirts, vinyl records and boxes of macarons are all part of the singer's long-awaited return to the stage on Saturday. This is being celebrated with a...
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Former Vuitton executives on trial for VAT fraud at Champs-Élysées store
A lavish Chinese client, who spent millions of euros on luxury goods at the Louis Vuitton store on the Champs-Élysées, allegedly received improper tax refunds. Five people, including former company executives, have been on trial since Monday at the Paris Criminal Court for organised fraud. The court accuses the defendants of processing VAT...
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Decathlon wants to acquire 50 percent of Sport 2000 France
Paris - Decathlon wants to acquire 50 percent of Sport 2000 France, the two rival companies announced on Monday. This merger could shake up the sporting goods market, which was already disrupted by Intersport's acquisition of dozens of Go Sport stores in 2023. As the French market leader, Decathlon has signed a letter of intent with Céraclès...
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Shein: heavily criticised, yet millions of customers remain
Paris - Having become the symbol of ultra-fast fashion in recent years, Shein is preparing for its stock market debut in Hong Kong in September. The company has found itself targeted by multiple European and French initiatives aimed at regulating its operations. Investigations, sanctions and controversies have not, however, prevented the Asian...
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Online clothing retailer Boohoo fined 2.33 million euros
Paris - British online clothing chain Boohoo has been fined 2.33 million euros. The fine follows an investigation that revealed “deceptive commercial practices”, the French fraud authority announced on Thursday. The fine was for “deceptive commercial practices and non-compliance on product labelling”. It was proposed to the company with the...
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Lacoste faces tax bill of nearly ten million euros, according to L'Informé
Paris - Lacoste has recently been hit with a tax bill of 9.9 million euros, according to a report by media outlet L'Informé published on Wednesday. “According to our information, Lacoste recently signed a cheque for 9.9 million euros to Bercy to settle a dispute that began four years ago,” writes L'Informé. “Investigators found that the holding...
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French anti-ultra-fast-fashion law: China threatens retaliation
Beijing - China warned on Wednesday that France could face possible retaliatory measures after adopting a law aimed at countering the rise of disposable fashion, or "ultra-fast fashion". Beijing has denounced the regulation as “discriminatory” and contrary to trade principles. Adopted by the French Parliament at the end of last month, the text...
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