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.
Poundland finalises store closure programme, relaunches Pep&Co clothing
Budget retail chain Poundland has announced the end of its store closure programme, reflecting progress on its court-approved restructuring plan, including the relaunch of its Pep&Co clothing range. Now under the ownership of Gordon Brothers, the company said it has finalised its store consolidation efforts, which formed part of a restructuring...
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Saks Global’s SVP of fashion exits business
The head of fashion at Saks Global has exited the luxury retailer. Roopal Patel, the group’s senior vice president of fashion, has departed and her successor has not yet been named, according to a report by WWD. Patel’s exit was confirmed to the publication by Saks Global, which said in a statement: “Roopal Patel, SVP of the fashion office, Saks...
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Manolo Blahnik doubles down on Mainland China, opens second store
Footwear label Manolo Blahnik has opened its second store in Mainland China, doubling down on the market as it continues wider global expansion. The company now operates 21 stores globally. This new location is the first Manolo Blahnik boutique in Beijing, and opens over one year on from the brand’s Chinese retail debut in Shanghai. Located...
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UK: Sales rebound in December in much-needed boost for retailers
New figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) have shown a modest, yet much-needed increase in retail sales volumes for December 2025, a positive end to a significantly more muted year for the sector. Over the month, sales rose 0.4 percent, up from a decline of 0.1 percent in November and a steeper drop of 0.8 percent in October....
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Vinted announces “major” US expansion to address growing demand
European resale platform Vinted has made a more definitive leap over the pond to launch its services in the US. Its expansion in the region, beginning with New York, responds to evidence of a growing need among Americans for an outlet to offload their secondhand goods. The latest shift hints at an intention to potentially scale the platform in...
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Asda to outsource George distribution, 1,200 jobs at risk
Supermarket giant Asda has said it plans to partially relocate and outsource the distribution of its George clothing brand, putting at risk around 1,200 jobs. The retailer has confirmed to multiple media outlets, including the BBC, that it plans to move the online operations of the label to DHL’s depot in Derby from January 2027. This would see...
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Kenneth Cole to launch across 30 countries as it eyes European expansion
US fashion house Kenneth Cole is plotting an expansion across 30 countries, positioning itself among regions where it sees opportunity for growth. With a focus on Europe, the expansion is expected to generate between 400 and 500 million dollars in sales by 2030. The brand confirmed the move to WWD, through which it announced that its first...
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Marks & Spencer technology chief exits months after cyber attack
A new report has suggested that Josie Smith, Marks & Spencer’s chief technology officer, has exited the British retailer. Her departure comes months after the company faced a cyber attack that impacted operations businesswide. A memo seen and reported on by Sky News said Smith had “decided to leave M&S”, a statement that was then confirmed to...
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AEO, trust signals, and digital assistants: Adapting fashion brands to the new rules of AI shopping
AI commerce is quickly becoming a norm in fashion. As consumers increasingly turn to AI assistants for product discovery and recommendations, brands are being encouraged to rethink their approach to digital shopping journeys. Traditional search and e-commerce funnels are shifting towards AI-led experiences that prioritise speed, relevance and...
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Kingpins NY prepares for January 2026 edition, with Kering-backed denim lab
Kingpins is gearing up for its January 2026 edition, during which it will not only welcome back an array of leading denim suppliers, but also pave the way for emerging creatives championing sustainability at their core. The event will run from January 21 to 22 at Pier 36/Basketball City in New York, where exhibitors representing the global...
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