Retail news and archive

What is Unified Commerce and why is it so important for fashion retailers?

Although the term has been around for years, Unified Commerce remains somewhat of an emerging concept for many retailers. A recent survey conducted by Bain & Company global consultants, on behalf of Aptos, the retail technology solutions platform, found that the fashion industry still remains largely unprepared for it. However retailers are...

RetailFeatured

Square's Forward program awards funding to 25 Black and Latino small businesses

Forward, the accelerator program by Square to support early-stage Black and Latino small businesses in the retail sector, received over a thousand applicants by its April 1st deadline. The majority were women-owned businesses. The inaugural program was launched in partnership with 1863 Ventures, American Express, and Social Change Fund United,...

Fashion Featured

The apocalypse is over, prepare for the retail renaissance

The retail apocalypse which dominated headlines just a year ago has become a retail resurgence, according to Nikki Baird, Head of Strategy at Aptos. “Never before have we seen such an emphasis on the store and what it can really bring in terms of operational efficiency, customer engagement, upselling," she tells FashionUnited. "It’s an exciting...

Retail

Zero10 and Crosby Studios open pop-up with digital-only apparel

Zero10, an augmented reality (AR) fashion platform, has revealed a new partnership with Crosby Studios which will see the duo collaborate on a pop-up store concept that brings together a physical and virtual retail experience. The store, located in New York’s Soho neighbourhood, will feature a five-piece virtual collection, available to purchase...

RetailFeatured

Price hikes on back-to-school essentials present challenges for consumers

Despite rising inflation, consumers are prioritizing back-to-school and college spending. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) over one third or 38 percent of consumers have committed to cutting back on other expenses in order to be prepared for the upcoming fall semester. They expect to spend more than usual on both K-12 and...

Retail |Interview Featured

Retail analyst Nikki Baird’s consumer predictions through end of year

As high inflation raises the prices of gas and bills, consumers will be faced with tough spending decisions as seasons change, kids go back-to-school and budgets are weighed for holiday gifting. FashionUnited speaks with Nikki Baird, former retail analyst and Vice President of Strategy at Aptos, about how our purses will be impacted during the...

RetailFeatured

What to know about the UK’s sanctions on Russia

Over the course of the past week, since Russia carried out its “military operations” in Ukraine, the world has responded with great force to condemn Putin’s actions and impose restrictions and sanctions on the country and those with ties to the Russian leader. Addressing the House of Commons last week, UK prime minister Boris Johnson said the UK...

Fashion Featured

Soma launches Bodify smart bra based on three years of consumer research

Lingerie brand Soma surveyed 1,500 women over the course of 3 years to create what it believes is the smartest bra on the market, the Bodify, launching today. During an exclusive 2-day pop-up event in NYC, FashionUnited spoke to Holly Wilson, Vice President of Design at Soma Intimates, about common bra-shopping challenges, or “brablems” as the...

Fashion Featured

One luxury brand dominates globally while a handful prove national favorites

It’s a small world and a new survey shows the luxury market is equally small. Louis Vuitton proves to be the most popular brand globally while Gucci fulfills the role of bridesmaid by regularly coming in second. The survey by raisin.uk calculates popularity by how many monthly searches a brand gets. But against a background of unprecedented...

Retail

Bradford to trial UK Green Street sustainability scheme

A select number of independent businesses in Bradford are set to take part in a sustainable high street pilot scheme that aims to encourage retailers to become more eco-friendly in their operations. Green Street, a government-backed strategy, looks to help high street-based companies to become more sustainable through accessing free support and...

Retail

A new trading platform hopes to help indies recover from pandemic

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has launched a new platform that hopes to aid independent retailers in their pandemic recovery. Set to launch for customers in February 2022, Neartoo will act as a national trading platform to provide retailers with a new way of selling online, with the goal of helping them to build their...

Business

Marks and Spencer to reward customers donating used clothes in Shwopping scheme

As part of the retailer’s Plan A sustainability programme, Marks and Spencer is calling on customers to donate their used clothing to Oxfam via its recently refreshed Shwopping scheme. According to the department store, a recent survey of its customers revealed a significant 65 percent were planning to sort and clear out their wardrobe for the...