Articles by Rachel Douglass
Rachel has been with FashionUnited since mid-2021. Descending from the UK, she moved to the Netherlands in 2014 to attend Amsterdam Fashion Institute, where she studied a BA in International Fashion and Branding with a specialisation in Journalism.
At FashionUnited, Rachel covers daily news, from store openings to acquisitions, alongside which she focuses on research-based stories, interviews and on-the-ground event reporting. Her topics of interest include digital fashion, independent retail and current trends.
Ireland launches national circular economy strategy for textile industry
The Irish government has launched a new strategy to overhaul the national textile industry, with the mission of shifting from a linear “take-make-waste” model to a circular economy. With the unveiling of the Whole of Government Economy Strategy 2026-2028 and the first-ever National Policy Statement and Roadmap on Circular Textiles, Ireland is...
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Lululemon under scrutiny for alleged PFAS use and product safety claims
Lululemon is facing an investigation from Texas attorney general Ken Paxton over concerns related to product safety and transparency. According to a press release issued by the attorney general’s office, Paxton has launched a Civil Investigative Demand against Lululemon Athletica as part of a formal inquiry into whether the Canadian activewear...
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UK retail sales rise in March, fashion and footwear lag behind
British Retail Consortium (BRC) has reported a rise in UK retail sales for March, though fashion and textile categories continued to lag behind broader growth. Total retail sales increased 3.6 percent year on year in the five weeks to 4 April, supported largely by stronger food performance. Non-food sales, however, rose just 0.9 percent,...
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Trade tensions and diversification: Première Vision Montréal gears up for second edition
After a successful inaugural event last year, French-founded trade fair Première Vision (PV) is returning to Montréal for a second edition to continue solidifying the union between North America and the EU. The event’s Canadian edition was developed with Montréal’s Fashion Cluster (mmode), which has been building its relationship with the fair’s...
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E-commerce revamp, denim push, global partners: The future of Dockers under Authentic
Just over a year ago, Dockers began a major ownership transition from Levi Strauss & Co. to Authentic Brands Group, ushering in a new era for the khaki-centric label. Even before the deal was finalised in March 2026, Authentic moved swiftly to deploy its signature business model, appointing distribution partners to oversee regional operations...
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Victoria Beckham chairman exits to pursue personal interests
Ralph Toledano, the chairman of Victoria Beckham, has confirmed his departure from the British luxury brand that he has helmed for eight years. The executive shared the news with WWD, to which he also announced plans to step down as partner of Neo, the private equity firm that invested 30 million pounds in Victoria Beckham in 2017 and holds a...
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John Lewis increases chairman's salary amidst workforce reduction
John Lewis has increased the salary of its chairman Jason Tarry by more than 20 percent, despite a reduction in its workforce over the past year, according to reports from Business Plus. Tarry, who joined the employee-owned group in September 2024 on a salary of 990,000 pounds, reportedly saw his base pay rise to 1.2 million pounds last April....
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LK Bennett’s website due to close
The website of LK Bennett is expected to close in just days amid administration proceedings underway at the company. In a post on Instagram, the British brand told shoppers they had a “final few days to shop the LKB website before it closes”. Discounts have now extended to at least 80 percent off everything, with up to 90 percent off online....
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QVC’s future called into question after postponing annual report
The future of QVC Group, the US’ multimedia retailer and television network for live shopping, has been called into question after the company announced that it was unable to file its annual report with the SEC. On March 31, QVC said it required additional time to compile and analyse certain documentation and finalise disclosures to include in...
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Skechers opens inaugural flagship store in Copenhagen
On the back of strong growth in the Nordics, US footwear specialist Skechers is doubling down on its presence in the Danish market with the opening of its first flagship store in Copenhagen. Located in Amagertorv, the 700 square metre space provides an extensive offering of Skechers goods, including products worn by leading athletes and...
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