Britons: Number One in E-Commerce Revolution

A study by the British Retail Consortium has found that almost 1 pounds in every 5 pounds is spent through computer, tablets and smartphones, making Britain the most tech-savvy nation in the world when it comes to online shopping reports MyRetailMedia.

Retail spending made via the internet (excluding food) accounts for 18.3% of all retail spending, according to the BRC’s figures.

Britons are also expected to spend more than 20.4 billion pounds in the run up to Christmas, with some 10 billion pounds being spent in December alone, according to a separate study.

The BRC said: “Online sales of non-food products in the UK grew 12.1% in October versus a year earlier. The online penetration rate was 18.3% in October, the highest level ever recorded by our monitor over 23 months”.

Britain’s love of online shopping is so strong that the rest of Europe, and even the USA, are behind the UK in terms of online spending.

This trend has not gone unrecognised and many retailers are working on their multi-channel offering in order to survive.

The shift has led to a major re-think about the problem of Britain’s high streets with many retailers urging the government to reconsider business rates.

The BRC is not alone in their online spending forecast either. The IMRG, the trade body for web stores, is predicting that Christmas web sales will increase by at least 15% compared to the previous year.

Spokeswoman Tina Spooner said: “Already we are seeing a number of retailers ramping up their online offering in the run up to Christmas.

“Click & Collect, next day delivery and even on-hour delivery slots are just a few of the options on offer to attract the lucrative festive shopper at this highly competitive time of year”.

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Victoria Beckham to open her own boutique in Mayfair, London

Victoria Beckham is set to open her own boutique in London's upmarket Mayfair

VICTORIA BECKHAM is set to further cement her career as a fashion designer by opening her own boutique in London’s upmarket Mayfair as reported by Daily Mail UK.

After months of negotiations, the 39-year-old former Spice Girl has signed a deal to open the shop, selling her collections of clothing and handbags by joining the fashion elite with a store located in Dover Street in the heart of the fashion district, in Dover Street, just a short walk from Old  Bond Street - places Victoria at the heart of the capital’s fashion district.


Victoria first hinted at her desire to open a flagship store for her brand in April, when she told British Vogue that London would be the perfect location.

She said at the time: ‘This is where I want to have my first store. I’d like to do something that is really new, really fresh.  Something a little bit conceptual – but not too much.’

Her designs have proved popular with the likes of Beyonce and Gwyneth Paltrow, but have previously only been available online, in fashion outlets and department stores.

A source close to Victoria said: ‘She’s really excited about getting things moving quickly.

‘Obviously there is still a lot to do, but the hope is to open the store properly early next year with one of the biggest fashion parties of the year.’

It was reported last week that Victoria and husband David's business empire now boasts earnings of almost £100,000 a day

The news comes after it was reported last week that Victoria and husband David’s business empire now boasts earnings of almost £100,000 a day.

The Dover Street location, just a short walk from Old Bond Street, places Victoria at the heart of the capital's fashion district

The three companies which handle their family’s branding empire recorded combined turnover of more than £35 million a year, according to Companies House documents.

Content thanks: DailyMailUK

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Longchamp has opened its biggest European flagship store in London

Longchamp Regent Street pic Harpers Bazaar

LONGCHAMP celebrates London flagship store. Having gazed longingly at the boarded-up shop façade on Regent Street, the moment has indeed at last arrived! The long awaited launch of Longchamp’s biggest European flagship store in Regent Street – which finally opened its doors to the public on 16 September 2013 after a London Fashion Week party on 14 September attended by the fashion glitter-rati including Kate Moss, Pixie Geldoff, Alexa Chung and model Georgia May Jagger, as well as the brand’s current campaign model, Coco Rocha.

In a boost to London and the UK, Jean Cassegrain, chief executive, said that London is a 'key city' for Longchamp and offered access to UK and global shoppers. The flagship Regent Street store, is the French luxury company's third in London, complementing sites at Westfield London and New Bond Street.

Longchamp Regent Street pic Harpers Bazaar

Mr Cassegrain added; "We felt we needed a stronger physical presence in London. London is important because it is one of the key cities in Europe. London is London but it is also the UK and and the world." Cassegrain added at present Longchamp has 'specific plans' to open stores outside London but that this is the 'next step' of expansion in the UK.

The family owned luxury company attributes it's success to this factor of ownership has no plans to sell to rivals or float on the stock market. Growing quicker in Asia than Europe, the company invest across the continent. "You can't really afford to leave any market out, Cassegrain said, "In today's world you really have to be global. The ones who aren't organising themselves to be global have no future at all."

Thanks to those fabolous peeps at Harpers Bazzar we were given a little sneak preview last week. The flagship store covers 500 square metres, including their world-famous bags – the Legende, the Gatsby, the Balzane, the Roseau - as well as the Kate Moss-designed Gloucester collection.

Longchamp Regent Street pic Harpers Bazaar

The two floors within the impressive space are separated by a floating mezzanine level – dedicated solely to displaying Longchamp’s famed La Pliage collection, since 1993, more than 26million versions have been sold. With a large sculpture spanning the height of the building forms the store’s centrepiece. The ground floor displays women’s bags, accessories, shoes and ready-to-wear, while the first floor showcase men’s collections and luggage.

“The mood throughout is light, elegant and relaxed with clean lines,” explains a press release. “Natural materials such as stone, marble, glass, wood and leather recall Longchamp’s heritage of craftsmanship.”

Fabulous time to go shopping!



Location:
229 Regent Street
London, W1
http://www.longchamp.com


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London’s first ever designer outlet to open in Wembley in October

Computer Generated Image of how the London Designer Outlet will look

LONDON’S first ever designer outlet in the heart of Wembley will open its doors on October 24, it has been revealed today.

The London Designer Outlet (LDO) boasts 350,000ft² of retail and leisure space which includes up to 85 shops and 15 restaurants, with a mix of high street and brand names.

The full array of shops, all offering up to 70 per cent discounts on current season lines, will be open for business in spring 2014.

Retailers which have signed up to LDO include L.K. Bennett, Superdry, Guess, Marks & Spencer, GAP and Clarks.

London Designer Outlet will open its doors on October 24

Well known restaurants including Prezzo, Handmade Burger Co, Las Iguanas, Nandos and TGI Fridays as well as regular multicultural food markets will also being opening branches.

In addition, film buffs will be able to take full advantage of a new nine-screen Cineworld which is also included in the line-up.

The launch will also mark the completion of the first phase of the Wembley City development which is being created by Quintain.

The £3.4billion project will create 7,000 jobs and includes the four -star luxury Hilton hotel which opened last year, 4,200 new homes and the £90m Civic Centre which replaced Brent Town Hall in July.

James Saunders, chief operating officer for Quintain, said: “We spent a great deal of time finding out what local people really wanted and needed from London Designer Outlet and then focused on bringing this to life.

“This means that alongside high end labels LDO will offer trusted brands that appeal to a huge range of people.

“We expect the appealing range of shops offering unbeatable discounts on current season lines to ensure the outlet becomes a major destination for astute bargain hunters.”

As part of the opening celebrations this autumn, LDO will inspire the local community with a colourful festival of activity involving hundreds of people from nearby schools and dance groups.

The event has been conceived and developed by the international design company behind the London 2012 Athlete’s Parade and Paralympics Closing Ceremony.

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Content Friend: Kilburn Times UK

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Dolce & Gabbana to Host 4th Store Opening in London

On Saturday, 15th June 2013, Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana and Dylan Jones, the Editor in Chief of British GQ, will celebrate the opening of the fourth Dolce&Gabbana boutique in London with an event that will be part of the official London Collections: Men’s calendar during which the Summer 2014 Tailoring Collection for men will be presented. 

Dolce and Gabbana 5th Ave boutique during the NYC opening event

“We are thrilled to welcome Dolce&Gabbana to London Collections: Men, and we are delighted that they are opening this season with such a high-profile event. London welcomes Domenico and Stefano and hope they decide to have an event here every season.” Dylan Jones, Editor in Chief – British GQ

Italian and English sartorial traditions meet and blend in a new, one-of-a-kind space, designed and created exclusively for London and located at 53-55 New Bond Street. The new boutique is part of the Group retail development strategy that comprises the creation of a series of special stores where the classic Dolce&Gabbana style finds a new expression thanks to the unique identities and traditions of the cities in which they are situated.

“London has always been one of the cities we love the most. It’s not by chance that we have decided to open this particular store here. British sense of style is part of their DNA, it’s been part of their culture for ages. Just like in Italy. When Dylan invited us to come, we couldn’t say no!” Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana

Dolce&Gabbana’s boutiques in London are located at 6 (menswear) and 175 (womenswear) Sloane Street and at 6/8 Old Bond Street (menswear and womenswear).

Pic: Courtesy of Dolce and Gabbana

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Versace Re open Avenue Montaigne Boutique in Paris

Versace Avenue Montaigne Boutique

VERSACE announced the re-opening of their Avenue Montaigne boutique in Paris.

The Italian luxury brand house were quick to remind us the boutique, the first in Europe with the new store concept conceived by Donatella Versace in collaboration with English architect Jamie Fobert. 

Jamie Forbet

Jamie Fobert is one of architecture's bright sparks, and boasts Givenchy and Antony Gormley among his clients. He designed the east-London club Cargo, a shimmying Mecca for music industry juniors and fledgling designers, and his popularity is matched by his success: the Anderson House won the prestigious Riba Manser Medal in 2003, essentially the prize for the best house in Britain.

Since then Fobert's practice has grown strong. In 2005 he was commissioned for a high-profile extension to the Tate gallery in St Ives, and he has just completed the interior of a new Givenchy outlet in Paris, which opened in February this year.

Without doubt, the boutique lacks none of the luxury we have come to expect from the brand and leads to one of the most opulent shopping experiences worldwide.

The 350 square meter store mixes the opulence and traditions of Italian architecture with the dynamism and energy of Versace today the brand house proudly announces.

Pic credit: Versace

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Valentino’s Paris Flagship Renovation is Complete

Valentino boutique, Avenue Montaigne

VALENTINO Paris flagship boutique on Avenue Montaigne reopens today after an extensive renovation. The store concept mixes the maison's heritage with contemporary design. Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli worked with world famous architect David Chipperfield on the concept. 

Just in time for one of my favourite collections from the talented duo for Summer 2013 Creative Directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli designed a collection of accessories that have to be seen to be believed. The collection is incredibly delicate yet seductive in modern materials such as PVC and Plexiglass with edgy hardware such a Swarovski studs. The luxury brand house tag line for the range is The devil really is in the detail, I cannot argue with that.

VALENTINO Rockstud 'Naked' tote in pvc and napa leather

VALENTINO Rockstud 'Naked' sling back wedge in pvc and calfskin

VALENTINO Rockstud 'Naked' shopping bag in pvc and napa leather

VALENTINO Rockstud 'Naked' chain shoulder bag in pvc and napa leather

VALENTINO Rockstud 'Naked' sling back sandal in pvc and calfskin

Valentino
19 Avenue Montaigne, 
75008 
Paris, 
France
http://www.valentino.com/en/home/


Pic credit: Valentino

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Harvey Nichols to Launch Own Brand & Collections

HARVEY NICHOLS, luxury department announced at Drapers Fashion Summit, the store  will launch its own brand and collections by launching an own-label brand as part of a new strategy to boost sales and turnover. 

Harvey Nichols, Wool Week Promotion

Chief Executive Joseph Wan told attendees of the Drapers Fashion Summit that: “I am talking about creating a brand that might have a certain name or be a certain line but that has been created exclusively for us.” He went on to say, “Buying third party brands means we only earn the retail margin,” Wan explained. “With this I see a lot of potential. I am not talking about exclusively launching menswear, womenswear or accessories under the Harvey Nichols name,” he added. “I am talking about creating a brand that might have a certain name or be a certain line but that has been created exclusively for us.”

Wan did not give any further specifics, stating that the process was still at “the very beginning”. But he revealed that early next year he will visit the production factories to ensure that the quality and production capacity of the factories is up to scratch.

This strategy is one of four pillars to drive growth in the next five years.

The other elements including seeking product from further afield in order to attract new customers, developing as a truly multi-channel fashion business, and expanding further internationally.

Harvey Nichols is broadening its price architecture to encompass a wider range of product and is also planning to introduce big name luxury brands such as Chanel to attract more luxury tourist shoppers.

“We have to redesign the store in Knightsbridge to enable us to do this,” he said. “We’re much smaller than Harrods or Selfridges so the way we set out the store to maximise space is very important. It is all about editing.”

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Zara Opens First New UK Retail Concept Store

ZARA has celebrated the opening of  its first U.K. store that features the brand’s latest retail concept.  Over three floors it occupies 1,500 square meters of retail space at Park House, across the street from Marks & Spencer at the western end of Oxford Street, London W1. 

Typical Zara store interior. Almere, The Netherlands

Designed by Elsa Urquijo Architects, the new store is Zara’s fourth branch on the busy shopping strip and its 19th in London. It has been designed so that shoppers can move through the store intuitively. 

Zara Lookbook March 2012

“The flow is different from our other stores,” said Zara’s chief communications officer Jesus Echevarria. “You are guided through ‘cubes’ and there are different dialogues with fashion and different trends happening in each of them. It feels more like a boutique space than a warehouse, this is more intimate.”

Zara Menswear

Around 15 stores in Zara’s new retail format are set to open by the end of January in cities including Paris, Utrecht in the Netherlands, Shanghai, Beijing and São José dos Campos in Brazil.

Pic credit: Zara

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Stella McCartney to Launch Global On-Line Store

Stella McCartney

PPR S.A. and YOOX S.p.A. are pleased to announce the addition of Stella McCartney to the brands already included in the newly-created joint venture dedicated to managing mono-brand online stores of several PPR luxury brands.

Stella, English fashion designer and rare environmentalist in the fashion industry, is the daughter of former Beatles member Sir Paul McCartney and the late American photographer and animal rights activist Linda McCartney, had been tasked with creating the Adidas sportswear for the British team for the London 2012 Olympics  commented it had been tough logistically because she has to create thousands of products for 900 athletes Stella McCartney admitted designing the kit for Team GB's Olympians was out of her comfort zone.

Stella McCartney and British Olympic Team, London 2012

Stella McCartney latest accolade winning Designer Brand Award  Designer of the Year recently at The British Fashion Awards 2012.

The British designer has no shortage of celebrities amongst her follower's as Pippa Middleton was spotted wearing the designers dress at her recent book launch in London.

Pippa Middleton Stella McCartney's Mixed-Fabric Sheath Dress £1,546

The joint venture agreement already includes Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga and Sergio Rossi.

THREE CHAIN FALABELLA FAUX SUEDE BAG £735.00

The Stella McCartney online store will be launched globally by the end of 2012 and, alongside the other brands in the agreement, it will go live in China by the end of 2013.


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Marks and Spencer to Open First Store in Jordan

British retailer, Marks & Spencer (M&S) announces plans to enter the Jordanian market for the first time, when it opens its new store at TAJ Lifestyle in Amman this December(2012).

M&S is the UK's largest clothing retailer, a British brand first established in 1884,  with a market leading position across womenswear and lingerie. M&S already has a strong presence in the Middle East, which is one of its priority International markets, with 18 stores in the region through its established partnership with franchise partner Al-Futtaim Group.

Located at the heart of the Abdoun area in Amman, the TAJ Lifestyle shopping mall will soon be home to M&S's new 900 square metre store. This December, customers will be able to shop the season's latest collections and M&S's exclusive innovations across womenswear and lingerie - as well as accessories, footwear and beauty.

Jan Heere, Marks & Spencer's Director of International, said: "We're delighted to be opening our first store in Jordan in December. Our new store in Amman will be the first of many new M&S stores planned for the Middle East over the next few years and will feature our latest womenswear, lingerie and beauty products. Over the next few weeks we'll be making the finishing touches to the store and we're really looking forward to welcoming local customers to the store soon."

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