Walpole news and archive

The Manic Monday of retail, London sees 660 percent rise in shoppers

No turn of bad weather, chill or flurry, could keep the Brits away from the high streets on Monday, as lockdown entered a less restrictive phase. With many stores and some pubs reopening, the pent-up return to freedom felt for many like a release from prison. The UK’s lockdown has been arduous and one of the longest and strictest in the world....

Business

Walpole publishes first sustainability report of UK luxury companies

Walpole, the trade body that represents British luxury companies, has published a sustainability report following up to its one year manifesto. In January 2020 Walpole launched its sustainability manifesto with the aim empower its client’s businesses towards a net carbon and zero waste future, supported by strategic partner McKinsey & Company....

Business

Walpole announces the 2021 Brands of Tomorrow

Walpole, the industry body for the British luxury sector, has unveiled the 2021 participants for its annual Brands of Tomorrow programme, including MyWardrobe HQ and Hancock. The initiative will nurture and guide twelve of what Walpole calls “Britain’s most innovative fledging luxury companies,” and will provide each business with the skills and...

Member

'Love Letters from Britain': Walpole launches film series with BBC

A new series of short films will delve into the hearts and heritage of British luxury brands and made available on the BBC.com platform. A partnership between BBC StoryWorks and luxury trade body Walpole will promote British brands via a digital-first and unique series on British luxury. Called ‘Love Letters From Britain’, BBC StoryWorks will...

Business

Post lockdown luxury outlook

Back in April, at the start of a global lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic, analysts and experts warned of a new era to come for the fashion and luxury industries. Nine months later, at the onset of a second lockdown forcing retail closures in the U.K. and across Europe, almost no CXOs expect a return to normal, according to a...

New Government scheme to end tax free shopping for UK visitors

The UK Government this week announced tax free shopping in the UK as we know it will end on 31st December this year. All overseas visitors will no longer be able to obtain a VAT refund on items bought in the UK and take home in their luggage. Furthermore, UK airports will no longer be able to offer duty free items on fashion, accessories and...

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Johnstons of Elgin launches new collection from surplus fibres called EveryYarn

Luxury Scottish cashmere manufacturer, Johnstons of Elgin, is launching a new collection using leftover yarn from previous seasons and mainline collections. Called EveryYarn, the new range launched in stores and online this week and features limited-edition scarves, stoles and blankets at a reduced price that have been made using the same...

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...

Featured

The impact of the 14-day quarantine on the UK luxury industry

Tourists and foreign shoppers are likely to avoid coming to the UK, where the government-imposed 14-day quarantine means anyone arriving will not be allowed to leave the place they are staying for this duration. The U.K.’s luxury sector, along with many brands and retailers, is concerned of the impact the quarantine will have on recovering from...

Featured

Walpole announces Brands of Tomorrow 2020

Walpole has announced the 12 brands selected to take part in its Brands of Tomorrow 2020 accelerator programme. The 12 companies include high-performance outerwear brand Shackleton; premium English knitwear brand Country of Origin; tailored womenswear brand Dai; ladder-resistant tights brand Hedoine; children’s clothing boutique Pepa & Company;...