BUSINESS

Topshop at The Department Store

(New Zealand) - Topshop is opening at The Department Store on May 1. The dedicated space will cover one-third of the top-level and marks the first physical retail presence in New Zealand for the famed British retailer, which extended its online shipping to our shores in late-2009 - (April, 2010) ... read more>>

Pumpkin Patch to Launch New Standalone Brand

(New Zealand) - Hot on the heels of its move into China, Pumpkin Patch has announced plans to launch a new standalone brand for the Australasian market. The focus will be on children’s playwear, which accounts for 70 percent of the NZ$3 billion childrenswear market Down Under. “The introduction of a dual brand aimed at a different segment of the market is a model that has been successfully followed by numerous international clothing companies,” says Pumpkin Patch chief executive, Maurice Prendergast - (April, 2010) ... read more>>

Icebreaker’s Ambitious Three-Year Plan

(New Zealand) - Icebreaker has just launched a flagship store on Broadway in Newmarket and announced ambitious plans to double business and roll out 50 retail stores around the globe within the next three years. The privately owned company, which built its reputation on fine merino garments, achieves revenues of around NZ$120 million and supplies 3,000 stores in 30 countries, with 80 percent of its product bound for northern hemisphere markets - (April, 2010) ... read more>>

Modest Recovery in Consumer Spending

(New Zealand) - Electronic card transactions for December revealed a modest recovery in consumer spending, but it was an unspectacular Christmas for retailers depending on the yuletide season to boost sales. Statistics New Zealand figures for December 2009 show that core retail spending and debit and credit cards was flat throughout the month, with a rise of just 1 per cent since June last year - (Jan, 2010) ... read more>>

Key Retail Trends for 2010

(New Zealand) - With the global recession ebbing, retailers everywhere will soon be focused on expansion rather than simply keeping their heads above water. Michael Baker, a global retail consultant and former research director for the New York-based International Council of Shopping Centres, recently outlined the key retail trends for 2010, in Melbourne newspaper The Age - (Jan, 2010) ... read more>>

New CEO for Hallenstein Glassons

(New Zealand) - Roy Dillon will step down from the post of acting Group CEO at Hallenstein Glasson Holdings at the end of March 2010, having been appointed in October 2008 to steer the company through the recession. And, Stephen Timms has since been announced as his replacement - (Jan, 2010) ... read more>>

New Zealand's Fashion Retail Market

(New Zealand) - With 30 stores throughout the country, Annah Stretton got honest about New Zealand's fashion retail market at the annual FINZ Conference. "In the current economic climate capital is essential. I’ve never had to put so much money back into my company and thank God I had it. You’re in business to make a profit and this is something that many fledgling fashion retailers seem to forget. In my opinion, that ‘cult brand’ youth market is damn near suicidal. There’s too much to choose from and not a lot of money in it” - (Dec, 2009) ... read more>>

Export and International Perspectives on New Zealand Fashion

(New Zealand) - Pieter Stewart, the founder and driving force behind Air New Zealand Fashion Week, gave us the lowdown on export and international perspectives on New Zealand fashion at the annual FINZ Conference. "Some markets work well for us while others simply don't and probably never will. Designers need to focus on what works if they want to make money and build strong businesses. I don’t believe that New Zealand fashion brands have realised their full potential or achieved saturation across the Tasman. For some reason, a lot of designers seem to think it’s more important to try and break into markets further afield" - (Dec, 2009) ... read more>>

Global Supply Chains

(New Zealand) - Graham Harris, co-founder of Longbeach Holdings Ltd, discussed the in's-and-out's of offshore manufacturing at the annual FINZ Conference. "If you want to manufacture in Asia you've got to understand what's happening. You'll never jump queue over the Gap or Banana Republic - they practically own factories because of the volumes they produce. You also need to know where all of the production is being drawn from, especially with quotas going on-and-off with the U.S and U.K. And, it's a new book when it comes to pricing. We should all be aware of commodity prices, particularly cotton and oil, and understand what's happening around these products" - (Dec, 2009) ... read more>>

Enterprise Training for Creative Businesses

(New Zealand) - With the end of the year fast approaching, why not look at improving your business skills by enrolling in a fully funded Enterprise Training course. In addition to a range of half-day workshops aimed at creative businesses, WHK is currently seeking 10 up-and-coming fashion designers to participate in its Fashion: High Impact programme in February 2010 - (Dec, 2009) ... read more>>

The Warehouse Chases Growth Online

(New Zealand) - New Zealand's largest retailer, The Warehouse, launched its online store last week, which is expected to boost sales. Coming in at a cool NZ$1 million, the site is actually a very cost effective way of trading, considering that it's less than the outlay on refitting just one 'big red shed' - (June, 2009) ... read more>>

Alt Group Strikes Gold with Scotties Boutiqe Website

(New Zealand) - Auckland-based design consultancy, Alt Group, has struck gold again, picking-up five prizes at this year's Graphis Design Annual Awards in New York, including gold in the 'interactive' category for the Scotties Boutique website - (June, 2009) ... read more>>

Country Road's New Label Targets 40-Plus Market

(Australia) - Earlier this month, Country Road unveiled the debut collection for Trenery, its new spin-off line aimed at the 40-plus market. Part of the Australasian retail landscape for more than 30 years, Country Road took on a younger focus in recent years, but is now appealing to more mature customers up to a size-18 - (June, 2009) ... read more>>

Big Debt and Bitter Bust-Up Blamed for LWR Receivership

(New Zealand) - Lane Walker Rudkin (LWR) Industries has been placed in receivership by bankers, reportedly owing more than NZ$50 million and leaving 470 workers in limbo as to the future of their jobs. The firm, which dates back to the 1880s, is owned by Christchurch businessman, Ken Anderson, who bought LWR in 2001, and Pod in 2007 - (May, 2009) ... read more>>

Satori Goes Into Liquidation

(New Zealand) - Designer menswear retailer, Satori, will suffer the same fate as its parent company, with liquidators failing to come up with a buyer for the retail arm of the business. Following months of speculation, the Satori store at Chancery is now emblazoned with 'liquidation sale' signs, heralding discounts of up to 80 percent - (May, 2009) ... read more>>

Humphries Returns to Head Glassons

(New Zealand) - No less than two years after resigning as managing director of Glassons, Di Humphries is about to return to the role, replacing James Whitling, who has been with the company for 18 years. After 15 months in the top job, Humphries stepped down in December 2007, to spend more time with her young daughter, but has remained on the Hallenstein Glasson board of directors - (May, 2009) ... read more>>

ACC Looking to Offload Fashion Island Investment

(New Zealand) - ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation) is looking to offload its NZ$16 million holdings in Fashion Island at Papamoa, following revelations of a NZ$2.5 billion budget blowout. The retail centre, listed with Colliers International and managed by Prime Retail, is set to become the Bay of Plenty's only outlet centre - (March, 2009) ... read more>>

Pacific Brands On The Edge

(Australia) - A strategy for survival, dubbed Pacific Brands 2010, hinges on farming-out production offshore to China and other low-wage countries. The plan should deliver annual cost-savings of AU$150 million, which will be used to service debt totaling AU$905 million. "We will discontinue some of our smaller brands to reduce complexity and cost, and divest some non-core business and facilities; some as going concerns," says Sue Morphet, chief executive of Pacific Brands - (March, 2009) ... read more>>

Catwalk Budgets Shrink in 2009

(United States) - At New York fashion week last month, Marc Jacobs halved invitations to his show in an effort to put the focus more on the clothes themselves rather than the show. "Before, there was a race for the most flamboyant shows at the most prestigious venues," says Etienne Russo, head of Villa Eugenie, a fashion show production company that works for Hermes, Lanvin, Chanel and Miu Miu, among others. "Now, people are asking themselves whether certain expenses are necessary. This is the opening of a new chapter." - (March, 2009) ... read more>>

U.S Retailers Reveal Dismal Sales

(United States) - The holiday shopping season was dismal for U.S retailers, who posted the worst sales figures seen since 1970. Even early-season price slashing wasn't enough to entice shoppers, with many consumers wary of the deepening recession and rising layoffs. Bad weather also played a part, with icy winter storms keeping would-be buyers at home in the Northeast and Midwest - (February, 2009) ... read more>>

Chanel Cutbacks Ominous for Luxury Market

(United States) - Luxury brands are frequently thought of as being immune to economic slumps. However, nose-diving sales reported by retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, show how serious an impact the global recession is having on all parts of the fashion market. Last month, Chanel announced that will cut 200 jobs in Paris, the result of slowing business in the third quarter last year coupled with a relatively bleak forecast for 2009 - (February, 2009) ... read more>>

Hallenstein Glasson Issues Profit Warning

(New Zealand) - New Zealand retailer, Hallenstein Glasson, is signalling a 40 percent decline in interim profits, following a 4.6 percent drop in sales for the month of December. In an update to the NZX earlier this month, the company forecasted profits of A$4.2 to A$4.4 million for the six months to February 1 - (February, 2009) ... read more>>

Tough Trade for Aussie Retail in 2009

(Australia) - Australian retailers are battening down the hatches for a tough year in 2009, as the economy slows and consumers grow wary of spending money. "The new year will be an extremely difficult time for discretionary retailers and we've already seen evidence from David Jones that things are tougher than previously thought." - (January, 2009) ... read more>>

Chancery Stores Stand Empty

(New Zealand) - Auckland's Chancery shopping complex, a NZ$60 million joint-venture between Westmark Group and Mission Corporation, is struggling to weather the economic downturn. Situated in the fashionable High St district and opened with much fanfare in late-2000, Chancery has seen a number of its tenants close their doors in recent weeks - (January, 2009) ... read more>>

New Spin on Wool as Prices Plummet

(New Zealand) - Wool might be synonymous with New Zealand, but its market price has sunk so low that many farmers have resorted to shearing sheep solely for animal welfare. The local wool industry has been in decline for more than a decade, with exports in 2007 totaling NZ$655 million, just a third of the NZ$1.8 billion earned in 1989 - (January, 2009) ... read more>>

Barkers Signs Distribution Deal With Little Brother

(New Zealand) - Barkers Mens Clothing is set to be the exclusive distributor of Little Brother. The deal will see the boutique menswear brand close its retail stores over the next few months, with Little Brother to be stocked in Barkers stores nationwide from April 2009 - (December, 2008) ... read more>>

Glassons Focuses On New Zealand Business

(New Zealand) - Hallenstein Glasson Holdings has postponed the relocation of Glassons' buying team to Melbourne in light of very difficult business and retail conditions. Formerly located in Christchurch, the retail chain's buying office will be Auckland-based from early-2009 - (December, 2008) ... read more>>

Max Reveals New Expansion Strategy

(New Zealand) - New Zealand fashion chain, Max, has been announced as the exclusive fashion sponsor of TV3's 2009 series New Zealand's Next Top Model, and has struck a deal with Australian fashion designer, Kirrily Johnston, to design a capsule collection, which will be available instore in March - (December, 2008) ...read more>>

Australian Retailers Absorb Rising Costs

(Australia) - Following in the footsteps of major fashion chains like Cue and Review, luxury retailer Belinda has announced that it will absorb rising costs in order to avoid price hikes for the time being. Belinda Seper, who operates 13 boutiques across Australia and South Africa, reports that the falling Australian dollar has seen a 30 percent increase in the cost of imports in recent months - (December, 2008) ... read more>>

Key Announces National Led Cabinet

(New Zealand) - Incoming Prime Minister, John Key, has announced his new National led cabinet, which sees a collection of both new and old faces appointed to key ministerial posts. Having been elected to Parliament as a list MP last week, the standout winner has to be Stephen Joyce, who was named Minister of Transport, Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Associate Minister of Finance and Associate Minister for Infrastructure - (November, 2008) ... read more>>

Six Billion Dollar Bailout For Icelandic Meltdown

(Iceland) - In recent years, Icelandic banks and investors had become an increasingly powerful force in the UK economy, funding dozens of deals in the British retail sector in particular. However, with its banks overextended, the country is on the brink of going bust. British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has called Iceland's unwillingness to compensate savers "totally unacceptable and illegal" and has even threatened to use anti-terrorist legislation to seize control of assets held by Icelandic companies in Britain - (November, 2008) ... read more>>

LWR Confirms Christchurch Lay-Offs

(New Zealand) - Lane Walker Rudkin International has confirmed that 60 employees in Christchurch will lose their jobs, as the company concentrates its textile manufacturing at the Auckland plant. LWR chief executive, Malcolm Walkinshaw, says he deeply regrets the redundancies, but consolidation is essential if the firm is to retain a sustainable manufacturing base in New Zealand - (November, 2008) ... read more>>

New Priorities For Discretionary Dollar

(New Zealand) - Life's little luxuries, like dining out and enjoying a few drinks, remain a priority for Kiwis, recession or no recession. According to a worldwide survey of consumer purchasing priorities conducted by MasterCard, the top-three areas of discretionary spending for New Zealander over the next 12 months will be - dining and entertainment (74 percent); personal travel (63 percent); and fitness and wellness (62 percent) - (November, 2008) ... read more>>

Business In Brief

Like many retailers, Wellington department store Kirkcaldie & Stains is feeling the effects of a slowing economy. The company reported a slide in annual profit of 30 percent, despite store sales being on par with the previous year, and will pay a final dividend of 3 cents a share.

The Briscoe Group reported that sales for the third-quarter fell 11.2 percent, with some improvement in trading towards the end of the period. Briscoe Group managing director, Rod Duke, said that competitive trading conditions have continued through the year. "Our August and September results were poor, but we were reasonably satisfied with a more buoyant October performance."

Hallenstein Glassons issued a notice to the New Zealand Stock Exchange announcing that domestic sales had fallen 8 percent and warning of 'considerably' lower profits and for the year.

Pumpkin Patch Profits Tumble

(New Zealand) - Pumpkin Patch posted a 27.5 percent drop in full year net profit to NZ$17.1 million, as the result of higher interest rates, quota costs and a difficult trading environment in the U.S. However, the childrenswear clothing company has maintained a strong sales performance in Australia and New Zealand, despite being faced with challenging retail conditions on both sides of the Tasman - (September, 2008) ... read more>>

Hallenstein Glasson CEO Steps Down

(New Zealand) - Hallenstein Glasson Holdings CEO, Shayne Quanchi, has stepped down from the role after just six months at the helm. Appointed in March this year, much was made of the fact that Quanchi and the core buying team would be based in Melbourne; signaling a strong focus on growing the company's Australian business, which currently consists of 25 stores - (September, 2008) ... read more>>

TCF Survival Rate Below Average

(Australia) - One in three TCF (Textile, Clothing and Footwear) manufacturing firms will fail to see out their first year in business, according to figures compiled by Australian industry body, The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries (TFIA) - (September, 2008) ... read more>>

Designer Logo Supports High-End Local Manufacture

(New Zealand) - Auckland-based designer, Victoria Taylor from Taylor Boutique has developed a stylish logo to help consumers identify 100 percent New Zealand designed and manufactured products. “The logo is a new way to easily identify and promote products that are manufactured in New Zealand," says Taylor - (August, 2008) ... read more>>

Myer to Open in Dubai

(Australia) - Australian department store chain, Myer, will open its first overseas store in Dubai late next year. Myer's chief executive, Bernie Brooks, says Dubai was the obvious choice, given that it's one of the the most densely shopped cities in the world. "Three of the 10 largest shopping malls in the world are in Dubai. Retail is expected to surge by 12 percent until 2011 in the UAE and at an even faster rate in Dubai," says Brooks - (August, 2008) ... read more>>

Online Sales Up Across Australasia

(New Zealand) - A survey conducted by GetPrice.com.au, a comparison shopping website, has revealed that Australian consumers prefer retailers that provide an online shopping option and 81 percent are now more confident when it comes to purchasing on the web. According to GetPrice.com.au managing director, Chris Hitchen, consumers want to research products and pricing online before entering a retail store. "The message to Australian retailers is clear. They need to invest more in their online offerings." - (August, 2008) ... read more>>

Keeping Up With Labelling Requirements

(New Zealand) - In mid-April, it was announced that significant changes would be made to labelling requirements for children's nightwear, with a compliance date of April 1, 2009. However, for some childrenswear suppliers the required information hasn't come easily or quite soon enough. FINZ spoke to Jo Sutton at Molly Jay Limited about keeping up with labelling requirements - (July, 2008) ... read more>>

When Disaster Strikes

(New Zealand) - On a Saturday morning in late-May, Performance Hosiery's newly acquired North Harbour premises burned to the ground. More than 12 appliances were required to control the blase, the suspected handiwork of an arsonist, and the incident made the evening news on every local television station. FINZ spoke to Peter Macartney at Performance Hosiery about the rebuilding process and support from industry in times of difficulty - (July, 2008) ... read more>>

Retail on Sale: Selling While You Sleep

(New Zealand) - The beauty of online fashion retailing is that you can sleep at night knowing that product is still being sold," says Geraldine Shackleton, director of Retail on Sale, a new Kiwi online shopping portal devoted to fashion. "It's one of those quirks of the internet business - people like to browse and buy when they have the time to think ... at home at night." - (July, 2008) ... read more>>

Moochi Moving To Auckland

(New Zealand) - Moochi threw open the doors of its first store on Auckland's High Street in September 2000. Eight years and four stores later, Moochi's director, Kellie Taylor, has announced that the proudly Tauranga-based business is set to shift to Auckland. FINZ caught-up with its newest member to discuss the ins-and-outs of the relocation, the current state of fashion retail and becoming a JAFFA - (June, 2008) ... read more>>

NZ Fashion Feeds Russian Craving For Individuality

(New Zealand) - Following the fall of communism, global luxury brands became the uniform of choice for wealthy Russians, but New Zealand labels feature in a new Moscow-based fashion movement. The antithesis of the big brand revolution, concept store Cara & Co is leading the way with an offering rich in intellectual design and luxurious minimalism, which includes some well-known names from Down Under - (June, 2008) ... read more>>

Glassons Relocates Buyers Across Tasman

(New Zealand) - The new head of Hallenstein Glasson has announced that buyers for Glassons will be relocated from Christchurch to Melbourne by the end of the year. Melbourne-based CEO, Shayne Quanchi, has made it clear that she believes the group's biggest opportunities lie across the Tasman and not on our shores - (June, 2008) ... read more>>

Dunedin Knitwear Firm Announces Closure

(New Zealand) - New Zealand knitwear firm, Tamahine Holdings, has announced the imminent closure of its Dunedin-based manufacturing plant, which will result in the loss of 50 jobs. According to Tamahine chairman, Trevor Scott, the company has struggled to cope with deregulation and “a flood of low-cost Asian imports” over the past 20 years – something further exacerbated by the NZ-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and high New Zealand dollar in recent times - (April, 2008) ... read more>>

Apparel Sales Up At The Warehouse

(New Zealand) - The Warehouse Group reported a half-year net profit (after tax) of NZ$64.3 million, with apparel sales continuing to outperform other categories.

“Modest gains in market share are being achieved due to an improving apparel range, the development of brands – including the introduction of international brands – as well as improvements in style and quality,” said executives in the group’s half-year review - (April, 2008) ... read more>>

Queen Street Touted As Luxury Precinct

(New Zealand) - Auckland’s lower Queen Street may be transformed into a luxury fashion precinct, amid rumours that several European brands are looking to set-up shop in the area. Last week, Gucci opened its largest Australasian store in Queen Street's Imperial Building, right next door to Louis Vuitton. Chanel, Prada and Tiffany are among those believed to be interested in retail sites in the area - (April, 2008) ... read more>>

Drysdale scoops supreme World Class New Zealand Award

(New Zealand) - Clothing entrepreneur, Peri Drysdale, was named the supreme winner at last month’s World Class New Zealand Awards - a programme that recognises New Zealand’s ‘tall poppies’ who provide inspiration and leadership for upcoming business leaders - (March, 2008) ... read more>>

Kiwi retailer hits rough patch

(New Zealand) - FINZ member, Pumpkin Patch, has had to rethink its US expansion strategy after posted a half-year net profit (after tax) of NZ$10.2 million, down 23.7 percent from the same period for the previous year under new international accounting standards. While total operating revenue increased 13.5 percent to NZ$205 million, company shares have fallen 62 percent since January 2007 - (March, 2008) ... read more>>

Australian TCF review announced

(Australia) - Australia’s new Labour Federal Government will conduct a widespread review of the country’s TCF (Textiles, Footwear & Clothing) sector to determine prospective assistance packages. Senator Kim Carr (Minister for Innovation, Industry Science and Research) announced the review earlier this month, following notification that the Australian Productivity Commission plans to undertake modeling on the countrywide effects of future TCF assistance packages - (March, 2008) ... read more>>

Fur trade alive and kicking

(Hong Kong) - Despite the best efforts of anti-fur campaigners, the fur trade is alive and kicking, and worth an estimated $13.5 billion. “Without a doubt, there are more people wearing fur today than ever before,” said Timothy Everest, a member of the Hong Kong Fur Federation - (March, 2008) ... read more>>

World Class NZ Awards Recognise Pumpkin Patch MD

(New Zealand) - New Zealand Trade & Enterprise (NZTE) recently announced the winners of of the prestigious 2008 World Class New Zealand Awards. Pumpkin Patch managing director, Maurice Prendergast, took top honours in the manufacturing section - (February, 2008) ... read more>> 

Kiwi Group Acts to Rectify Skill Shortage

(New Zealand) - DesignTex, a group of textile and apparel companies in Horowhenua and the Kapiti Coast, recently won a NZ$500,000 contract to supply uniforms for the New Zealand Olympic team, but has had to come up with a solution regarding the skill shortage in the region - (February, 2008) ... read more>>

Global Fashion Chain Bans Aussie Wool

(United States) - One of the world's largest clothing chain has slapped a ban on Australian wool following pressure from a US animal rights group. Sweden-based H&M agreed to source wool elsewhere after the People for the Ethical Trade of Animals (PETA) complained that Australia had "reneged" on its promise to phase out the practice of mulesing sheep by 2010 - (February, 2008) ... read more>>

Clothing Sizes Adjust For Real Bodies

(New Zealand) - Researchers at AUT have identified an international shift among clothing manufacturers toward the use of new sizing techniques based on body shape to combat ill-fitting garments. Associate professor, Frances Joseph, says huge demographic and lifestyle shifts during the past half century have resulted in changing body sizes and shapes but sizing standards and measurement techniques have not always kept pace with the changes - (February, 2008) ... read more>>

High Eco-Benchmark for New Zealand Clothing

(New Zealand) - Untouched World is setting a high eco-benchmark for the industry by being the first clothing company in the world to carry the United Nations sustainability mark. The Christchurch-based firm, which produces garments using certified organic fabrics and recycled components, is one of just a handful of organisations to be given UNESCO approval to attach the 'UN decade of education for sustainable development' logo on its products - (21 January, 2008) ... read more>>

Climate Change has US Ragtrade in a Sweat

(United States) - With the weather having become as fickle as fashion itself, ragtraders in the US are changing the way they design and deliver clothing. At Liz Claiborne, a climatologist from Columbia University has been hired to help the firm improve the timing of its seasonal shipments to stores - (21 January, 2008) ... read more>>

Haute Technology

(United Kingdom) - Smart clothing has progressed significantly in recent years, moving beyond integrated devices and into the realm of intelligent fabrics and garments that can conduct electricity, change colour and even change shape. While early research was largely driven by military and medical uses, more and more commercial applications are emerging - (21 January, 2008) ... read more>>

Rant and Ramble: "The Next Six Months"

(New Zealand _Geoff Merz) - Here we are, heading into the final quarter of the year, which heralds the onset of worries regarding summer deliveries and the tail-end of winter-related woes. How I envy the industry that doesn’t have to pick what the season will be like in winter 2008 - (20 August, 2007) ... read more>>

Coopers Settle Trademark Wrangle

(New Zealand) - Kiw fashion designers Trelise Cooper and Tamsin Cooper have settled out of court, putting an end to a drawn out trademark dispute regarding the similarity in their names and countless media references to a certain biblical battle - (03 July, 2007) ... read more>>

Kiwi Dollar Poised to Eclipse Previous Highs

(New Zealand) - The New Zealand dollar broke (US)74c this week for the first time in two years and looks poised to surpass its previous post-float high of (US)74.57c - (13 April, 2007) ... read more >>

Summer Sales Stalled by Cool Weather

(New Zealand) - Hallenstein-Glasson is feeling the effects of a cooler than average summer, posting an 8.6 percent drop in half-year profits. Group chief executive, David Kinraid, said the results reflect a particularly challenging season for apparel in New Zealand and Australia, with the company’s same-store sales down 7 percent across both markets - (13 April, 2007) ... read more >>

Yakka Part of Pacific Brands

(Australia) – Pacific Brands has completed its acquisition of Yakka, the biggest supplier of industrial and corporate workwear in Australasia. The purchase encompasses Yakka, Hard Yakka and Can’t Tear ‘Em, in addition to popular outerwear brands like Weekenders, Mustang, Wrangler Jeans, Lee Jeans and Riders by Lee Jeans - (13 April, 2007) ... read more >>

Myer posts healthy profits

(Australia) - Myer is planning to open more department stores after posting a first-half net profit of AUS$57 million - (13 April, 2007) ... read more >>

Phenomenal growth in online shopping

(New Zealand) - More than 1.2 million Kiwis shopped online in the last 12 months, spending an estimated NZ$1.5 billion on new and used goods, and services - (13 April, 2007) ... read more >>

Designer baby bulge at retail

(Australia) - Baby Dior and Versace Kids led the way in the mid-90's, and industry experts report that Australians are now spending more than ever on designer threads for kids - (13 April, 2007) ... read more >>