London news and archive

Free People to open a new store in London

American retailer Free People is opening a new location in London’s West End today, April 12. Location on Regent Street, the new Free People store spans 3,100 square foot. It features the brand’s apparel, activewear and accessories, as well as a dedicated ethereal white shop and an area for its ‘We The Free’ denim showcasing flares, wide-legs,...

Retail

On a deserted Oxford Street, department stores are downsizing

London’s West End, in particular the shopping thoroughfare of Oxford Street, Soho and Mayfair, was, in pre-covid times, a haven for shoppers and fashion. But not anymore. With stores closed and a retail industry facing unsurmountable pressures, the UK’s world-class shopping destination is under threat. Oxford Street is perennially empty, with...

Culture

London's arts and culture sector hit hardest by Covid-19

As the Chinese New Year holiday sweeps Asia this week, the key travel and shopping celebration many retailers have come to see as a sales opportunity, will bypass the UK. London, which in 2019 was voted one of the world’s top shopping destinations, remains closed to most international visitors. It comes as no surpise that new research published...

Retail

London business alliance warns of ‘catastrophic’ lockdown impact

The CEO of Heart of London Business Alliance, which represents 500 leading businesses in the West End, has urged the government to consider the ‘catastrophic’ impact Tier 2 and 3 lockdown measures could have on London businesses. It comes after Boris Johnson earlier this week announced a new three-tier system in which areas of England are...

RetailFeatured

Covid-19 Crisis: Saving central London

An investigation led by the Evening Standard shows the economic impact of Covid-19 on London is both disastrous and the worst in a generation. With 50,000 West End retail and hospitality jobs at risk and hundreds of thousands of businesses affected, total spending is down 50 percent by 5 billion pounds as a direct result of the coronavirus...

Business

Chanel moves staff to global hub in London

Legendary French fashion house Chanel said Friday it had moved staff from New York to its global hub in London, a welcome change for the British capital which has been under threat of companies pulling out because of Brexit. Chanel, founded 110 years ago by Coco Chanel, said it had decided recently to unite all its global functions in one place...

Retail |INTERACTIVE MAP Featured

MAP: The Top 10 Fastest Growing Prime Retail Streets

Retailers and shoppers alike can breathe easy, as fears of a hard Brexit have done little to scare away shoppers. London's New Bond Street has been hailed as one of the world's prime fashion retail destinations, according to CBRE Research's semi-annual Global Prime Retail Rents. West End’s New Bond Street prime rental rates grew 39.1 percent...

RetailFeatured

Sneak Peak: H&M's latest concept Arket

London - Curiosity concerning H&M newest retail concept, Arket, continues to mount as the retailer prepares to open its debut flagship store at 224 Regent Street, London and launch online this fall. A post shared by ARKET (@arketofficial) on May 29, 2017 at 7:41am PDT Additional stores in Covent Garden and Copenhagen, Brussels and Munich are set...

RetailFeatured

H&M's newest brand Arket to open its doors in London this fall

London - Swedish fast-fashion giant H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB shows no signs of slowing down or fear of competition as the group has announced the launch of a brand new retail brand: Arket. The announcement comes as the H&M Group revealed a 7 percent sales increase in its first quarter sales to 28 February 2017, and few months after initial...

Fashion Featured

COS marks 10 year anniversary with a capsule collection launch

London - It may be hard to believe, but this year marks a decade since COS, the big sister brand of H&M, opened its first store on London's Regent Street. Back in 2007 COS first launched as a modern brand which aimed to offer consumer high quality garments that consisted of both wardrobe staples and classic timeless piece. Since then COS has...

Fashion

Alexander McQueen stages London Fashion Week comeback

London - Iconic fashion label Alexander McQueen returned to the London Fashion Week catwalk on Sunday for the first time in 14 years with a collection by British designer Sarah Burton. Models on a labyrinthine catwalk presented flowing embroidered dresses with vivid butterfly motifs, glittery hairpieces and striking winter jackets. The event at...

Fashion Featured

Men's fashion week in New York wraps up on high note

The second round of men's fashion week in New York has wrapped up on a high note after four days of shows reflecting thirst for innovation, openness and confidence in what's to come. The nascent showcase for the latest in American menswear drew trend spotters, bloggers, buyers and other style gurus -- all in a distinctly laid back atmosphere....