3 Ways ‘Next Gen’ consumers are using payment technology to counter inflation

Image: Afterpay Corporate Inflation is at a four-decade high, forcing consumers to be more wary of their purchasing habits and impacting retailers’ much needed recovery following the loosening of covid-19 measures. However, a recent survey by Coresight Research still found a positive consumer sentiment toward spending, despite inflation, which further suggested that despite their willingness to spend, shoppers are also looking for ways to save money too. In response, a new report by Afterpay has been published detailing how millennials and Gen Z, or New Gen, consumers are planning to save this money, with the payment provider stating that “consumers’ penchant for finding new paths to financial freedom has steadily grown”. Content from the report has been derived from an analysis of data from an online survey conducted by Afterpay, in partnership with Coresight Research, consisting of 500 consumers in the US and Canada. Centred around the use of ‘buy now, pay later’ (BNPL) options, Afterpay highlighted three insights generated by the report, suggesting the younger generation’s use of technology in their money saving plans. Using BNPL as a budgeting tool Out of those surveyed, Afterpay noticed a trend in BNPL users optimising the payment method as a budgeting tool to counteract inflation. According to the firm, around 39 percent of shoppers have used BNPL more due to covid-19 and inflation, a percentage that rises to 49 among Gen Z. Seeking value and discounts Despite evidence showing that Next Gen shoppers want to spend, the report stated that they were most likely to seek out value and discounts when shopping. Product pricing was found to be the most important criteria when participants were asked how they decide where to shop, with many suggesting that they only purchase from select brands during sales and markdowns. In these periods, Afterpay said shoppers of all ages were using BNPL, including Gen X, whose spending was up 15 percent during the Black Friday shopping period for 2021. Spending on experiences In a poll from the report, Afterpay found that experiences and travel were the most popular sectors for Next Gen shoppers to spend their money on, with recreation coming out as one of the fastest growing categories for Gen Z and Millennials. While experiences were expected to benefit the most from increased spending over the next 12 months, apparel and footwear came in third on the list, with an expected increase of 23 percent over the same period.
http://dlvr.it/SQMx6C

Arklyz Group acquires Asphaltgold

Image: Arklyz Group x Asphaltgold In continuation of its global expansion strategy, the Arklyz Group has announced the acquisition of streetwear omnichannel retailer, Asphaltgold, effective immediately. Led by The Athlete’s Foot owner, which it acquired in 2021, Asphaltgold will proceed to operate its online retail platform through Europe, as well as its brick and mortar stores in Germany. The sneaker label will gain access to Arklyz's expertise and infrastructure, with the group planning to elevate the business further. “The acquisition of Asphaltgold was a very strategic decision for us,” said CEO of the Arklyz Group, Param Singh, in a news release. “Asphaltgold's digital first approach led by story-telling through social media platforms to build community, combined with top-tier access on all relevant sneaker and streetwear brands, is highly attractive for Arklyz's future expansion plans.” CEO of Asphaltgold, Daniel Benz, added: "We are happy to join forces with such a strategically strong partner as Arklyz and I am looking forward to jointly creating continued growth and success for Asphaltgold." This post was updated at 11:15 am and 13:42 pm on May 10, 2022 with a new announcement from Arklyz Group correcting details of the acquisition.
http://dlvr.it/SQMx61

Ending Trump tariffs on footwear, Americans paid 3.4 billion dollars more for shoes in 2021

Image: Rubirosa footwear, courtesy of the brand America’s retailers are hoping to turn back the Trump administration’s ruling additional tariffs on Chinese goods under Section 301 of the Trade Act, as prices continue to soar due to inflation. Earlier this year the Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America (FDRA) sent an open letter for the Biden government to lift the restrictive tariffs, which results in higher prices in some categories, such as shoes. Americans paid 3.4bn dollars more for shoes in 2021 America imports 99 percent of its shoes from abroad, paying 3.4 billion dollars in tariffs in 2021 alone. While tariffs vary greatly depending on certain styles and make, footwear has an average tariff of 13 percent, rising to 48 percent and 67.5 percent on specific categories. The FDRA argues that imposed tariffs make shoes more expensive at retail, “hitting working families the hardest as lower cost basic shoes face significantly higher tariffs than men’s leather dress shoes (8.5 percent).” Matt Priest, president and CEO of the FDRA, wrote in a letter to the Biden administration to ask for a temporary relief of tariffs, at least until Labor Day in September. The U.S. tariff code for footwear is a complex and complicated construct of codes with 436 descriptions covering the footwear category. Everything from material, make and gender is considered. The FDRA is keen to simplify import protocols and classifications and uphold more objective standards in the future.
http://dlvr.it/SQMx5p

Mango partners with Parsons to award training scholarships

Photo Credits: Toni Ruiz, CEO of Mango, and Ben Barry, dean of the Parsons School of Fashion, during the signing of the collaboration agreement between Mango and Parsons The Spanish fashion multinational Mango has signed a collaboration agreement with the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York to reinforce Mango's strategic plan. The collaboration aims to consolidate its presence in the United States and be among its five leading markets in three years; it has started by opening its new flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York. The initial duration of this alliance will be five years; Mango and Parsons are aiming to support members of the new generations who have interests in the fields of design and retail by awarding a series of training scholarships. A fund of 250 thousand dollars will be used to finance the studies and development of students enrolled in the MPS Fashion Management Program of the New York school. It is a program that covers a series of different strategic areas for the fashion industry's future, such as new technologies, sourcing, marketing, merchandising, entrepreneurship and the development of new business models. In addition to granting these scholarships, Mango will simultaneously participate in Parsons' training programs, especially within the school's Fashion Management Program to provide and make available to its students its extensive experience and knowledge as a leading multinational in the fashion industry. "The MPS Fashion Management Program at Parsons School of Fashion is pleased to partner with Mango to award scholarships to students in this expanding new program designed to groom a new era of fashion world leaders," Ben Barry said, dean of the Parsons School of Fashion, through statements released by Mango on the occasion of the signing of the agreement, made official by the signatures of Barry and that of Toni Ruiz, CEO of Mango. "Thanks to the help of Mango," added the dean of Parsons. "We can open access to this program" to "students whose experiences and perspectives are very necessary for the fashion industry," especially when it comes to "identify challenges, develop creative strategies and develop new paths" for the industry. This article was originally published on FashionUnited.es and it was translated by Andrea Byrne.
http://dlvr.it/SQJ6Zw

Inditex signs 100 million euro supply deal with Infinited Fiber Company

Image: Inditex x Infinited Fiber Company Zara owner Inditex has revealed a new partnership with circular textile firm Infinited Fiber Company in a supply deal valued at more than 100 million euros. The three-year arrangement will see Inditex buy 30 percent of the organisation’s annual future production volume of Infinna, a fibre made from 100 percent textile waste. The deal falls in line with Infinited Fiber’s scaling up plan, for which it is currently developing its first large-capacity factory, which it expects to open in 2024, when Inditex will start buying Infinna. “We truly believe innovation is key for the competitive circular future of the fashion industry, which is why we are actively working to find solutions, and searching for new partnerships, processes and materials to achieve textile-to-textile recycling,” said Javier Losada, Inditex’s chief sustainability officer, in a release. Losada continued: “Collaborating with others in new innovative initiatives – such as Next Generation fibres like Infinna – is vital to carrying out the transformation our industry needs.” The trademarked fibre imitates the feel of cotton and can be recycled over again through the organisation’s same process. It allows companies to minimise their use of virgin materials and move towards a circular production method. To celebrate the deal, Zara has launched a capsule with clothing sourced in collaboration with Spanish NFO Cáritas, the retailer’s clothing collection programme partner. The line, available on Zara’s e-commerce site, utilised Infinited Fiber’s textile waste regeneration technology for its production.
http://dlvr.it/SQJ67X

Esprit to launch business hubs focused on global expansion and customer engagement

Image: Esprit California lifestyle brand Esprit has revealed a new initiative designed to reinvent customer engagement experiences through data analytics. Consisting of a network of hubs for business innovation and technology, Esprit Futura comes as part of the retailer’s digital strategy and looks to utilise data to drive its global expansion. The hubs will aim to develop new methodologies related to commerce solutions, with the goal of developing Esprit’s newly established customer-centric vision through products and experiences for both consumers and wholesalers. Projects that will be initially looked into include the likes of advanced digital showrooms, shopping experiences and designing a data analytics framework dedicated to predicting consumer behaviour and trends. Led by Esprit’s chief technology officer, Edwin Pak, Futura is set to work alongside existing business units to accelerate research and development efforts in the digital space. The team will consist of global Esprit leaders, digital commerce experts, next-generation developers and technology specialists. “We are robustly expanding our footprint across the board…” Additionally, the initiative will act as a launchpad for future collaborations with partners and start-ups also focused on business operation optimisation and e-commerce technology. To launch the programme, Esprit will be opening its first Futura hub in the third quarter of 2022 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The team will work at the city’s first eco-neutral environment and digital playground for retailers. Its placement in the region is part of Esprit’s strategy to expand within the European market, with the plan to establish other regional hubs in Asia and America to follow. “We are robustly expanding our footprint across the board,” said the brand’s chief executive officer, William Pak, in a release. “Given the immense potential for innovation in Europe, I am thrilled to launch our first Futura hub in Amsterdam, a recognised innovation nexus for the region. Energising our European operations including our German base in Ratingen, we are all excited for what is to come and our continued growth.”
http://dlvr.it/SQJ62h

Vancouver Fashion Week Designers: Moving Towards a More Sustainable and Responsible Fashion Future

Credit: HBT, photo by Cassidy Chen The Fall-Winter 2022 Season of Vancouver Fashion Week (VFW) took place at the David Lam Hall in Chinatown, Vancouver. The platform showcased an exclusive selection of talented designers who fostered an imaginative and innovative environment, where the topic of fashion and creativity sparked conversation between designers, media, and guests internationally. Some designers include UNSERTEN and ISXNOT from Japan, #whysocerealz from Korea, HBT from France, Ignacio Carrasco from Mexico and Chalanse, Faun Studio and Ay Lelum from Canada. Apart from individual designers, Vancouver Fashion Week also encourages student designers from Vancouver Community College and La Salle College to display their work. Each designer used their work to tell a social, environmental, or personal story, and as these series of paths crossed at Vancouver Fashion Week, their chemistry shed light on the newer chapter of the fashion industry—an upbeat, modern, but sustainable and responsible industry. Credit: LEFT Guido Vera, photo by Cassidy Chen RIGHT Soseisoudo, photo by Arun Nevader Guido Vera: Sustainable Fashion At Its Finest With the slogan “cruelty-free,” this Chilean firm has created a collection inspired by the geographical region of Patagonia, where the designer was born. Sitting on the corner of South America, Patagonia is characterized by terrain ranging from temperate rainforests to icy glaciers, rocky mountain terrain, and vibrant grasslands. This magical dynamic of geographical features fuels Guido Vera with imagination and creativity. This permanent collection of his work aims to showcase Chile’s past and present by utilizing sustainable textiles. The collection highlights the luxury of nopal cactus skin from Desserto, non-animal, biodegradable leather from Vinylife, and GOTS-certified organic cotton of Pima and Tanguy. Carefully choosing what he uses and creates, Guido Vera proves that with fashion and style comes sustainability and responsibility. Soseisoudou: “Hugging a Sheep” When Rikka Hemi found large amounts of sheep wool dumped on a nearby farm, she reused the abandoned material to create fluffy, light clothes and found her sustainable brand, Soseisoudou. Established in 2004 and based in Bifuka-Cho, Hokkaido, the brand emphasized its goal of simultaneously recycling materials while producing comfortable clothing. Soseisoudou uses the unique technique of weaving wool into thin fabric to design soft and warm clothing. This method means that the brand produces zero waste, and they demonstrate this at Vancouver Fashion Week through the theme of seeking harmony with nature. Rikka Hemi used the wool of seven sheep from her farm and created nine looks that make you feel like you are “hugging a sheep.” HBT: The Magic of France Originating from a Marseille tailor family in the early 90s, HBT is the revival of that creative impulse approximately two decades later. In 2016, HBT rebranded itself and connected past inspiration with military-inspired looks and the European subway culture of cities like Paris, London, and Berlin. The brand uses polyamide, a synthetic flexible and breathable textile for the body. In addition to comfort, the material is also durable, making it more economically and environmentally friendly long-term. HBT uses the Herring Bone Twill—a fishbone weaving technique—allowing them to replace the denim material inspired by the U.S. military uniforms and create softer, more extendable garments and suits. With this army inspiration within the brand’s DNA, the brand creates sporty, durable clothing while maintaining its fashionable sense of style. Credit: LEFT Chalanse, photo by Cassidy Chen RIGHT Love To Ukraine, photo by Cassidy Chen Chalanse: “The Attitude, The Brand” Based in Vancouver, BC, Serena Kealy builds her clothing and accessories brand with combinations of unique fabrics and structured shapes to demonstrate her artistry as an emerging designer. The brand makes a statement with its powerful designs, delivering timeless styles that mirror elegance and confidence; Serena’s definition of feminism and an independent, fearless individual is demonstrated through these ready-to-wear pieces, where keywords such as “bold” and “empowering” reflected throughout the collection. The brand’s belief in creativity and equality demonstrates that Chalanse is truly “fashion that empowers.” Love to Ukraine: A Message to the World Vancouver designer, ECOSstylist, and model Tetyana Golota presented her collection to showcase Ukrainian culture by incorporating traditional folklore costume notes within her creations. Tetyana used her work to express her admiration and appreciation for Ukrainian culture. The unique display of her pieces highlighted the runway show; the models danced down the runway to exhilarating music, creating an uplifting atmosphere that moved all guests. The show reflects the love and respect the world has for Ukraine culture and brings attention to the unfortunate events in homeland Ukraine. Tetyana successfully brings not only art but also a message to the world: stand with peace, stand with Ukraine. The FW22 show of Vancouver Fashion Week welcomed many designers with purpose who aimed to show the world a cause or idea they represent. Vancouver Fashion Week will continue hosting future designers with good motivations in mind; combined with the designer’s creation and our platform, we are the artistic voice that advocates for the voiceless.
http://dlvr.it/SQHY83

High fashion or dubious taste? Balenciaga's destroyed sneaker causes controversy

Opinion Image: Balenciaga Paris Sneaker It is not often a sneaker can cause equal parts awe and antipathy, but Balenciaga’s latest limited edition Paris Sneaker release, made of destroyed cotton and rubber, has done just that. The shoe in question, which loosely resembles a Converse All Star, retails for 1,290 pounds (1,850 dollars, 1,450 euros) and is as intentionally distressed and worn-out as its name suggests. To most eyes outside of the luxury sphere, these trainers look as if they ended their lifespan long ago. In the product details section on the Balenciaga website the description states the shoe has rippings all over the fabric, a Balenciaga graffiti logo in color contrast on the sole, an embossed size at the back, a vulcanized sole and it is manufactured in China. The Paris-based luxury house offers many variations of the sneaker: high-cut, low and mule versions, in black, white and red, but only 100 pairs of its ‘full destroyed’ edition. Luxury items made to 'look poor' The shoe was quickly called out by fashion watchdog Diet Prada on Instagram, where comments such as “I guess it’s only okay to look poor but not actually be poor. Such a joke,” said one user. Another stated “Smells like rich people romanticising the poor and homelessness.” Commenting on sustainability, another wrote: “I hope they practiced waste-led design and fished these sneakers straight from the landfills because that would be genius.” And that is precisely where the antipathy comes in. To be made to look like an item that came from landfill with fabric destroyed to the point of ruination, making it seem as if it barely survived the arduous journey of its wearer and to top that with a large graffiti logo.
http://dlvr.it/SQCt5w

Hotter Shoes posts double-digit revenue growth in first quarter

Image: Hotter Shoes, Facebook The parent company of Hotter Shoes said the UK footwear retailer saw double-digit year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter. While Unbound Group didn’t provide exact figures, it said Hotter Shoes “performed strongly” in the first quarter of the year as it improved its gross margin and saw its active customer base grow. Earlier this year, Unbound Group moved from the London Stock Exchange’s main market to its sub-market, AIM. The move was part of a broader rebranding of the group, formerly called Electra Private Equity, as it repositioned itself as an online-first multi-brand retail platform targeted at the 55+ demographic. Unbound Group said Thursday it is seeing the benefits of its omnichannel strategy with the performance of the retail estate being “especially pleasing”. Challenges ahead The group achieved the Q1 performance “despite the macroeconomic backdrop of rising inflation, supply chain challenges” and the impact of Russia's war in Ukraine. It said its outlook in this regard “continues to look challenging for the remainder of this financial year”. The group said it continues to mitigate some of these risks and costs are being “tightly managed”. Unbound Group CEO Ian Watson was upbeat on the results as he said the development of the group is “gathering pace”. Watson also said Thursday that the group is “engaged in positive discussions with a number of additional potential partners that will further develop our footwear and apparel offer and launch our wellness proposition”. He said this will be followed by “other target categories in phased implementations”.
http://dlvr.it/SQCsYs

Superdry FY revenue recovers as shoppers return to stores

Image: Superdry Superdry saw its revenue rebound in its latest full-year trading update thanks to a strong fourth quarter as shoppers flocked back to physical stores following the lifting of Covid restrictions. In the fourth quarter ending April 23, the British fashion retailer reported group revenue of 159.7 million pounds, up 17 percent on a year-over-year basis and up 6.7 percent on a year-over-two-year basis. The retailer benefited as shoppers returned to physical stores following the end of lockdown, with Q4 store sales surging 203 percent compared to the previous year, or 22.9 percent compared to two years ago. For the same reason, online sales were down 21.5 percent compared to a year ago and down 6.6 percent compared to two years ago. FY revenue recovery Superdry’s full-year revenue came in at 600.7 million pounds, representing an 8 percent increase on a year ago, but still 14.7 percent below pre-pandemic levels from two years ago. Store revenue was up 59.8 percent on a year ago, but down 21.8 percent on two years ago, while e-commerce revenue was down 24 percent on a year ago, but up 1.2 percent on two years ago. “We continue to execute our strategy of returning the Superdry brand to a premium position and I am excited by the progress we are making,” founder and CEO Julian Dunkerton told investors. He added that despite “ongoing tough trading conditions and turmoil in the market”, the company’s focus remains on its full price trading strategy, which it expects will deliver a “strong” gross margin improvement for FY22. Dunkerton continued: “We are conscious of the cost-of-living pressures on consumers, meaning that now, more than ever, we must continue to deliver products that stand for what is important to them: quality, style and sustainability at great value.” He said the company is “cautious” heading into FY23 due to “the macroeconomic outlook and the impact of inflation”, but remains “confident that our strategy is positioning the brand for future success”.
http://dlvr.it/SQCsFX

Trove appoints Gayle Tait as CEO

Image: Trove x Lululemon Branded e-commerce development firm Trove has announced the promotion of its president Gayle Tait to CEO, effective immediately. Tait will succeed Andy Ruben, who has served as the company’s CEO since its founding in 2011. In a release, Ruben said on Tait’s appointment: “Since Gayle joined Trove nearly 18 months ago, her contributions have been transformative. Her leadership, vision and operational expertise will undoubtedly propel Trove to new heights as we continue to build our technology platform and grow across luxury and other categories.” Ruben continued: “I look forward to supporting Gayle in her new role as CEO and playing an even larger role in creating a more sustainable, circular retail economy.” Tait, who carries over two decades of management, marketing and commercial experience, has served as president of Trove and a member of its board since January 2021. She has previously worked in various leadership roles for the likes of Google and L’Oréal, where she was tasked with leading transformations and scaling. Last year, Trove raised over 77 million dollars in Series D funding, stating that it planned to continue globally expanding and growing its list of retail partners. The tech company currently operates resale platforms with the likes of Lululemon, Patagonia and Levi’s.
http://dlvr.it/SQCrkF

Third Sustainable Apparel Forum focuses on engagement and collaboration

Image: speakers at the opening plenary session: Anne van Leeuwen, Faruque Hassan, Md. Atiqul Islam, Mostafiz Uddin, Stephanie Thiers-Radcliffe and Md. Mohiuddin Rubel (from left to right) / SAF For the third time, policy makers, industry leaders, brand representatives and fashion campaigners from Bangladesh and abroad gathered in Dhaka to accelerate the momentum for achieving more sustainability in the Bangladesh apparel industry. More than 50 speakers and 20 green growth exhibitors from over 20 countries participated in the Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) on 10th May, organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) in partnership with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA). Five plenary sessions addressed the industry’s most pressing issues, ranging from “Demystifying Climate Action” and “Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) & Green Finance” and “Closing the Loop: Circular Economy in the Fashion Industry” to “Purchasing Practice” and “Due Diligence and Legislation”. The sessions were complemented by exhibits from globally renowned recycling and renewable energy companies, showcasing their sustainability and green technologies, products and solutions. BGMEA president Faruque Hassan pointed to the fact that the US Green Building Council (USGBC) has certified a total of 160 Bangladeshi factories as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), among them 48 being even LEED platinum-rated. Five hundred more factories are currently in the pipeline for certification and 40 out of the world’s top 100 garment factories can be found in Bangladesh. Image: at the Sustainable Apparel Forum 2022 / SAF “Today, our clothing factories are not only safer, but also have become more dynamic, modern, energy-efficient and environment-friendly. Bangladesh has by far the highest number of green garment factories in the world,” he said and added that the “BGMEA joined the UN Fashion Industry Charter (UNFCCC) with an ambition to reduce GHG emission by 30 percent till 2030”. “There has been significant improvements in the apparel industry of Bangladesh as far as safety and sustainability is concerned. However, there is still work to be done to promote sustainability in the sector for which stakeholders’ engagement and collaboration is the key,” said Anne van Leeuwen, ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Bangladesh. To demonstrate the crucial place that sustainability takes up in the industry, there were 12 presentations on important aspects of apparel and textile sustainability. Presenters included Amina Razvi, chief executive officer of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition; Mohamad Anis Agung Nugroho, programme manager at Better Work Bangladesh; and Vic Lau, customer success manager at impact platform Higg; Lewis Perkins, president of the Apparel Impact Institute; Janet Mensink, executive director of the Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP); Ian de Cruz, global director at accelerator P4G; and Marie Busck, head of CSR & sustainability at the Danish textile and clothing association (DM&T). The consensus was that collaboration is key and that it takes the participation of all stakeholders along the value chain to build a sustainable, responsible and ethical apparel industry that will not only benefit manufacturers, but also buyers and the economy of Bangladesh. “We have to keep in mind that it is not a job that should be defined to only one party. Both the manufacturers and the buyers have to work together for ensuring ethical and sustainable manufacturing,” stated the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation and former BGMEA president Md. Atiqul Islam in the opening plenary session. Image: at the Sustainable Apparel Forum 2022 / SAF “Promoting environmental, social and governance in the Bangladesh apparel industry is not one party’s cup of tea any more. We can only ensure prosperity through shared identity,” agreed M. Riaz Hamidullah, ambassador of Bangladesh to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. “The Bangladesh government is committed to ensuring sustainable growth of Bangladesh apparel industry. I will try my best to help Bangladesh make the transition into a sustainable future,” promised Bangladesh’s commerce minister Tipu Munshi in the closing plenary session. “At this year’s SAF, we have brought all the fashion stakeholders under one roof to accelerate the momentum of sustainability in the Bangladesh apparel industry, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had an immense impact on the global apparel supply chain. This is high-level networking where it has been discussed how we can turn the needle so that the lofty sustainability goals our industry so often talks about are translated into meaningful, practical actions,” summed up Mostafiz Uddin, founder and CEO of the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange.
http://dlvr.it/SQCrjw

ESW acquires Scalefast to accelerate growth

Image: Pexels by Anna Shvets Global direct-to-consumer e-commerce solution provider ESW is acquiring Los Angeles-based complementary e-commerce platform Scalefast to expand its capabilities and enhance speed to market for retailers and brands. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. ESW said the deal was subject to customary approvals and expected the transaction to close by mid-year 2022. The e-commerce company also added that Scalefast founders, chief executive Nicolas Stehle, chief technical officer Frédéric Bocquet, and chief marketing officer Olivier Schott would join the ESW senior leadership team. In a statement, ESW said that the acquisition would further extend its market strength across apparel, beauty, personal care and luxury brands to include entertainment, gaming and electronics. Adding that Scalefast’s industry leading data analytics and speed-to-market would also facilitate turnkey localised stores, digital ‘pop up’ stores and highly targeted DTC brand campaigns. Which ESW said would “strongly complement” its cross-border DTC solutions and market-leading end-to-end customer experience. Tommy Kelly, founder and chief executive at ESW, said: “ESW’s acquisition of Scalefast demonstrates our commitment and ambition to accelerate growth for our customers by empowering them to be at the forefront of rapidly evolving consumer requirements around the world. “Scalefast’s technology offering is highly complementary and will enable ESW to unleash new capabilities and deliver even faster direct-to-consumer ecommerce growth for new and existing clients.” ESW added that the complementary solutions across both technology platforms is expected “to drive accelerated growth in revenue and in product innovation across the group’s integrated client base,” serving customers in more than 200 markets. Scalefast builds ecommerce stores “faster than any of its competitors, leveraging its feature-rich, in-house developed platform, retail infrastructure and applying proprietary data and behavioural analytics to deliver pre-built DTC ecommerce features and capabilities brands need to succeed,” states ESW. While in turn, it will provide Scalefast’s clients with its checkout, payment gateway, and logistics offerings, “which include hub or hubless options, omni-channel solutions such as ship from store, and an ecosystem of global logistics partners that move hundreds of millions of packages each year on behalf of its clients”. Nicolas Stehle, chief executive at Scalefast, added: “Scalefast’s services are highly synergistic with ESW’s from a revenue generation perspective. We are excited by this opportunity to join in a bold vision for the future of DTC ecommerce. Scalefast and ESW’s blended knowledge, expertise, and technology will provide distinct competitive advantages as a fully integrated technology-driven commerce service provider.”
http://dlvr.it/SQ4d8F

Boohoo partners with The Brain Coach for Mental Health Awareness Week

Image: Boohoo Fast fashion e-tailer Boohoo has announced it will be collaborating with neuropsychologist The Brain Coach on a new campaign that aims to empower customers through a seven day “self-love” plan. Set in time for Mental Health Awareness Week, the Body Image Cleanse campaign hopes to increase customer confidence through the promotion of habit-forming steps. The seven day plan, which can be followed through The Brain Coach and Boohoo’s platforms, will run alongside an influencer campaign tasking social media stars to undertake the challenge and encourage their audience to do so too. The campaign follows a recent poll carried out by the retailer, which found a substantial 70 percent of its customers said they disliked their bodies. “It is really important to us at boohoo that we use our platform for purposeful and positive change,” said El Chetcuti, head of brand project, in a statement. “Therefore, it felt like a really good time to work on this campaign with the amazing Brain Coach -- especially during Mental Health Awareness Week.” Chetcuti continued: “We look forward to hearing more from our community on how they felt the plan has supported them, and hopefully, it will be something that makes a lasting change for many people. Watch this space.”
http://dlvr.it/SQ4clL

Cycling apparel brand Endura names Noah Bernard as brand director

Image: Endura HQ via Pentland Brands Jim McFarlane, founder of the cycling apparel brand Endura, and director, Pamela Barclay, have announced plans to step-back from the day-to-day management of the business. The company has appointed Noah Bernard as brand director, who will lead the business going forward. Commenting on the development, Chirag Patel, chief executive officer, Pentland Brands, said: “It’s been fantastic working with Jim and Pam over the past four years. Their passion for the brand and the way they continually challenge and disrupt the industry inspires everyone around them, so I’m thrilled they’ve agreed to remain with the business on a non-executive basis. I’m also delighted to welcome Noah to the Pentland and Endura family.” McFarlane founded Endura 30 years ago and has managed the brand together with Barclay for the past 15 years. In 2018, they sold Endura to Pentland Brands but agreed to stay-on to manage the day-to-day business. Since the acquisition, annual revenues at Endura have doubled and, in March this year, it launched its first footwear range, making Endura a head-to-toe cycle apparel brand. The company said in a statement that McFarlane and Barclay will remain in the business on a non-executive basis and Bernard, who will report to Penny Herriman, chief marketing officer, Pentland Brands, will be responsible for growing the brand by continuing to create innovations. Bernard has spent over 25 years within the sports and footwear industry, working in sales, product and marketing for the likes of Nike, Puma, Adidas, Clifbar, Pearl Izumi and Samsung. “We’ve really enjoyed working with Chirag and the leadership team at Pentland. And knowing how capable the team at Endura is, it feels like the natural time to hand the reins to someone with new energy and a fresh perspective. Noah has a ton of product and marketing expertise and we’re hugely confident that Endura will continue to progress and be taken to ground-breaking places under his guidance,” added McFarlane. Bernard, who will be based at the Endura HQ in Livingston, Scotland, will join the business in May and will work closely with McFarlane and Barclay before they step-back from the day-to-day operations.
http://dlvr.it/SQ4ckr

Zara collaborates with Good American on US capsule and pop-up

Image: Good American X Zara Spanish fashion chain Zara has revealed a new collaboration with Good American, a clothing brand co-founded by reality star Khloé Kardashian, in the form of a size inclusive capsule for the US market. The collaboration combines the Inditex-owned brand’s garment manufacturing chain with Good American’s status as a B Corp company, resulting in a sustainable collection that is both size inclusive and ethically produced. The collection itself is entirely made up of denim fabric and includes t-shirt styles, a fitted jumpsuit, denim shirt and a selection of varying jean cuts. According to the companies, each design has utilised sustainable raw materials and processes, such as recycled or organic cotton and Tencel fibres. Sizes range from XS to 5XL, going beyond Zara’s typical sizing chart, to ensure full inclusivity, something the American chain prides itself on. To complement the launch, a campaign consisting of in-demand, diverse models puts a further emphasis on the collection’s inclusive message, featuring the likes of Precious Lee, Quannah Chasinghorse and Georgia Palmer, each seen sporting looks from the line. The limited edition collection will be available through both the online platform and Zara’s mobile app, as well as a select number of around 40 points of sale throughout the country. Additionally, Zara has opened a pop-up in Los Angeles to celebrate the release, which will remain open until May 13 and allows shoppers to view and try the line first-hand. The collaboration comes as part of Inditex’s strategy to consolidate the group’s presence in the US, in which it currently operates 99 physical stores each under the Zara brand.
http://dlvr.it/SQ29kC

Zara Woman launches collection for “outdoor” activities

Photo: Zara Outdoor Zara, the main chain of Spanish fashion giant Inditex strengthens its position in the growing and highly resilient sportswear sector with the launch of its first sports collection for women. A collection targeted at outdoor activities, designed especially for the practice of high-impact outdoor sports such as cycling or climbing. With the aim of providing all equipment for those who practice these, and other similar outdoor sports activities at this time of year with good weather, when they begin to be particularly desirable. The collection is announced under the nickname of Zara "Outdoor", a title under which we can already find it among the new items for women online, in stores and on the Zara app. The collection is offered on a global scale in a large number of selected markets, including Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, France and Italy, reinforcing what had remained as its most traditional fashion offer. Photo: Zara Outdoor Collaboration with the Spanish Tenaya Demonstrating the performance and quality offered in garments of its new collection, Zara has not hesitated to surround itself with a small team of ambassadors, among which we find the popular influencer, youtuber and cycling lover, the Spanish Sami Sauri; and the French climber of Icelandic origin Svana Bjarnason. Both were responsible for having been able to test in their own skin the behavior and technical resistance offered by all the garments in the collection, during the practice of these cycling and climbing sports of which they are big fans of. Photo: Zara OutdoorPhoto: Zara OutdoorPhoto: Zara Outdoor The collection, which is completed with a collaboration with the outdoor sports specialist Tenaya, founded by the Spanish mountaineer and Spanish sailing champion Jose Luis Garcia Gallego, offers a series of highly versatile garments, among which we highlight, for cycling, different designs of short-sleeved T-shirts, sweatshirts, high-waist shorts with elastic waist and side pockets, trouser-effect shorts in khaki green or a tight-fitting windbreaker with round neck and zipper. Completing this series of pieces with others as original as a long jumpsuit complete with upper body with straps. As well as garments specially designed for climbing, Zara's design teams have created a set of leggings and top in animal print, or lime green, a tank top with open back with curled straps, long pants with elastic, and a set of high-waist shorts and tank top in fuchsia pink. Completing this selection of climbing apparel is a sweatshirt signed in collaboration with Tenaya in lime green, with the brand's logo in fuchsia pink on the back. In keeping with the same collaborative and adventurous spirit that gives this collection its unique character, we find a varied selection of accessories such as caps with and without earflaps, a rectangular fanny pack, a bandana, an adjustable fleece collar or a cylindrical bag, especially suitable and designed for long climbs. Closing the collection are two models of footwear from the Tenaya brand, one being a boot designed for mountain activities, and the other a climbing shoe. Photo: Zara OutdoorPhoto: Zara OutdoorPhoto: Zara OutdoorIn the footsteps of Zara Athleticz Faced with the current "boom" that the sportswear sector is experiencing, and the enormous resilience that this sector has shown in particular against such acute turbulence and disruptions as those that ended up bringing with this current pandemic coronavirus, especially in its initial stage, there are already many firms and fashion chains responding by launching specific lines and collections. These new collections diversify their respective business models, a strategy in which Zara has not remained on the sideline. This past fall 2021 the brands launched sports fashion line Zara Athleticz. At that initial moment it launched, we still could not guess what were the intentions the chain had for the development of the new line. A label that, after the last few months, has ended up becoming part of Zara's menswear collections, a decision that within the Inditex Group, the textile multinational compensated by enhancing the value of Oysho as a label specializing in sports for women. This action prepared Oysho to compete not only in the intimate apparel sector, but also against international operators specialized in women's sports, such as the Canadian Lululemon Athletica or the Gap Group's Athleta. Photo: Zara OutdoorPhoto: Zara OutdoorPhoto: Zara Outdoor The original intentions of both Zara and Inditex to enter the sportswear arena is to get their own niche in the field of sports fashion; and the second, to highlight that sporting activities practiced by women go beyond low-impact sports, and that Zara is prepared to respond to that demand. We will have to wait to find out how the chain continues to develop this new line, and if it ends up becoming merely an anecdotal collection, or on the contrary grows and develops to acquire its own identity and at the same level that Zara Athleticz has already reached as part of Zara's men's fashion proposals. Photo: Zara Outdoor
http://dlvr.it/SQ29fZ

Australian Fashion Council launches fashion certification trademark

Image: Australian Fashion Council, Facebook The Australian Fashion Council (AFC) has announced the introduction of the Australian Fashion Trademark to help both local and international customers better identify fashion from the region. AFC hopes the introduction of the trademark will drive industry growth, create jobs and contribute more to the local economy, ultimately aiming to future-proof the Australian fashion and textile industry. For brands to become Australian Fashion Trademark certified, they must meet at least two of the organisation’s criteria, which include demonstrating a contribution to jobs and the local economy, offering Australian-made and owned products, having a majority of Australian employees and tax domiciled. Certified brands are also required to pledge commitment to authentic Australian design, with the responsibility “to uphold the creative integrity” of the nation, as well as hold social and environmental impact commitments. Additionally, four key pillars for Australian design have also been outlined by the organisation – effortless style, raw nature, boundless optimism and fearless innovation. The pillars hope to help the region establish a distinct brand identity. “More than a trademark…” The AFC was awarded a federal grant to create the fashion certification trademark in May 2021 following its campaign to drive demand for Australian brands. “More than a trademark, this is an opportunity to showcase the best of Australia’s fashion talent,” said AFC CEO, Leila Naja Hibri, in a press release. “The Australian Fashion Trademark will be a driving force in building the industry’s growth trajectory to deliver substantial economic, social and environmental aims over the next ten years.” Brands will be able to apply for the new certification through a dedicated website, with a further multi-channel campaign and consumer website also set to launch, initially in Australia, in August 2022. A UK site will also be introduced in September 2022, set with the goal of aligning with the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement.
http://dlvr.it/SQ1675

Lenovo and Stella McCartney partner on design competition for Central Saint Martins

Image: Stella McCartney x Lenovo Technology brand Lenovo has announced it has partnered with Stella McCartney on a sustainable design competition for students of Central Saint Martins. A total of 38 students from the university’s MA Design course will be taking part in the initiative that will see them undergo an eight-week live brief asking them to create a sustainable solution that integrates fashion and technology. Each participant will receive a Lenovo Yoga PC to help them to develop the assignment further. One winning student, chosen by McCartney, will be awarded a three-month internship at the British fashion house in a department of their choice. In a release, the designer said: “At my fashion house, creativity and technology have always gone hand-in-hand. That’s why I am so excited to partner with Lenovo on this incredible project – coming together today so we can empower the creative visionaries of tomorrow at my alma mater, Central Saint Martins.” The course director of the participating MA, Simon Fraser, also expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, adding: “Key to the work we do as a course is an understanding that the sustainability and ethicality of production is an urgent challenge to each of our disciplines, ceramics, furniture and jewellery.”
http://dlvr.it/SQ15vL

Crocs’ ‘Free Pair for Healthcare’ programme returns

Image: Crocs x Figs Footwear brand Crocs has announced the return of its Free Pair for Healthcare initiative which sees it partner with Figs, a healthcare apparel label. For this year’s edition, Crocs and Figs will be giving away 10,000 pairs of Crocs shoes and 10,000 pairs of Figs scrubs to healthcare workers across the US, during National Nurses Week. Up until May 12, those interested can sign up through the duo’s websites to enter a draw for the giveaway bundle. The initiative, which first launched in 2020, came as a response to the covid-19 outbreak, with the goal to “celebrate healthcare heroes” during the pandemic. According to the brand, Crocs has donated one million pairs of shoes as part of the initiative since its launch. In a release, CEO of Crocs, Andrew Rees, said: “We are humbled to have seen such a positive response to Free Pair for Healthcare over the past two years and are thrilled to continue supporting our healthcare heroes in partnership with Figs. “As a values-driven organisation, provisioning comfort for our communities is the foundation of how we think about brand purpose and this programme continues to highlight that doing the right thing will always be the right thing for Crocs.”
http://dlvr.it/SQ15tt

Shopify to acquire fulfilment provider Deliverr in two billion dollar deal

Image: Unsplash E-commerce technology company Shopify has announced it has reached an agreement to acquire fulfilment provider Deliverr in a 2.1 billion dollar deal. The acquisition will see Deliverr’s services provided to Shopify’s merchants, with the goal of removing “the complexity of fragmented supply chain management”, Shopify said in a release. It added that by streamlining logistics, it hopes to scale advantages for merchants and further control movements across its supply chain. The transaction consisted of around 80 percent cash and 20 percent Shopify Class A Subordinate Voting Shares, with the deal to close following regulatory review. “Our goal is to not only level the playing field for independent businesses, but tilt it in their favour – turning their size and agility into a superpower,” said Tobi Lütke, Shopify’s CEO. “Together with Deliverr, Shopify Fulfilment Network will give millions of growing businesses access to simple, powerful logistics platform that will allow them to make their customers happy over and over again.” It comes as Shopify reported that its total revenue in the first quarter grew 22 percent, to 1.2 billion dollars, missing analysts’ 1.25 billion dollar estimates. However, the company said the first quarter of 2021 marked the highest revenue growth in its history as a public company, crediting covid-19 lockdowns and stimulus as the reasoning behind the growth.
http://dlvr.it/SPzL8C

Aritzia announces new CEO as revenue, profits grow

Image: Aritzia, Facebook Aritzia has appointed Jennifer Wong as its new CEO as founder Brian Hill steps down from the position after 38 years. Wong has been at the Canadian womenswear brand for 34 years, joining in 1987 as a style advisor and working her way up the ranks to her current position as president and chief operating officer in 2015, according to LinkedIn. She will take over the CEO role on May 21, at which time current chief Hill will step into the executive chair role. “I am excited to continue advancing Aritzia's business and delivering on the incredible growth opportunities we see ahead,” Wong said. Outgoing chief Hill said there was “no better time and no one better to lead Aritzia into the future than Jennifer Wong”, and credited her for being “instrumental” in accelerating the company’s growth. The CEO change comes as the company reported fourth quarter revenue of 444.3 million Canadian dollars, representing growth of 66.1 percent compared to the previous year and 61.3 percent compared to two years ago. That growth was driven by the US market where revenue was up 108.8 percent year-over-year and up 127.9 percent year-over-two-years. Net income in the fourth quarter more than doubled to 34.2 million Canadian dollars compared to 16.1 million Canadian dollars a year earlier. US market shines For the full year, revenue increased 74.3 percent year-over-year to 1.5 billion Canadian dollars driven by “unprecedented” growth in the US, where revenue was up 132 percent. Aritzia’s annual net income surged to 156.9 million Canadian dollars compared to 19.2 million Canadian dollars in fiscal 2021. “Ongoing strength in our business across all geographies and all channels drove exceptional top and bottom line growth, in spite of meaningful supply chain challenges,” Hill said. He said the strong momentum has continued into the first quarter of the current year. The company expects FY23 net revenue of approximately 375 million Canadian dollars, representing just over 50 percent year-over-year growth. But it also warned of an expected 100 bps drop in gross profit margin linked to ongoing impacts from global supply chain disruption, inflationary pressure, and discontinued Covid relief subsidies.
http://dlvr.it/SPzL5Y