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.
Marks & Spencer names new chief people officer
British department store Marks & Spencer has named Hayley Tatum as its new chief people officer. She joins the retailer from Asda, where she spent over 14 years in the same role, nine of which in combination with the title chief corporate affairs officer. Her appointment was confirmed by Marks & Spencer CEO, Stuart Machin, who, in a post on...
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Exclusive: Trove launches new plugin with Db, signalling next phase in circular commerce
‘Lost & Found’, typically an airport department for travellers seeking out mislaid items, has found a new meaning in the form of a resale programme launched by Db, a Scandinavian brand looking to extend the life of its travel-centric gear. With this, the company has become the first brand to deploy the Trade-In Plugin of resale service provider...
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Former Crocs president takes helm of Pact
Michelle Poole, the former president of footwear giant Crocs, has been named the new brand president of Pact, a brand that follows sustainable values with the goal of improving the lives of farmers and workers. While her appointment was initially reported by WWD, Poole confirmed her new position on LinkedIn, where she said: “I’m energised to...
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BFC pivots award category to honour evolving role of stylists
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has redirected an award category as part of its partnership with Pandora, honouring the evolving role and work of stylists. For The Fashion Awards 2025, set to take place December 1, the organisation will reveal the first recipient of the Style Moment of the Year Award presented by Pandora. The award, previously...
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July retail sales rise yet fashion experiences bumpy ride
Total retail sales across the UK rose by 2.5 percent year-on-year in July, according to new data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). While warm weather at the beginning of the month encouraged activity, the eventual return of rain impacted sales, particularly in fashion. “Fashion sold well early in the month, but deteriorated as weather...
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Bestseller leads 20 million dollar Softwear Automation funding round
Danish fashion giant Bestseller has led a 20 million dollar Series B1 funding round for Softwear Automation, a firm dedicated to autonomous sewing technology that is currently moving towards the commercialisation of its offering. Alongside the strategic investment, which was made via Bestseller’s Invest FWD scheme, Thomas Børglum Jensen, the...
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‘Thoughtful succession plan’: Lucy & Yak becomes employee-owned
Lifestyle brand Lucy & Yak has transitioned to an employee-owned business model, granting a controlling stake in the company to employees via a dedicated trust. The decision to shift to such a setup comes as co-founders, Lucy Greenwood and Chris Renwick, looked to share the benefits from the brand’s eight years in business. As an Employee...
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FatFace confirms US store closures as digital pivot comes into focus
British brand FatFace has shuttered its 23 stores across the US as it moves towards a digitally-focused approach amid a challenging market. Rising costs were said to be the driving force behind the closures, as the physical store model was deemed to no longer be viable in the US. Despite this, the brand has confirmed an intention to move to an...
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Jewellery brand Fabergé sold for 50 million dollars to US investor
The parent company of Fabergé Limited, best known for its luxury egg designs, has sold the brand to SMG Capital for a sum of 50 million dollars. With this, Gemfields, now the former owner of the jewellery label, brings to an end its strategic review, which has been ongoing since December 2024. Of the total sale price, 45 million dollars will be...
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Marks & Spencer relaunches click and collect
Months after encountering a major cyberattack, British department store Marks & Spencer has relaunched its click and collect service. The retailer made the announcement on its social media platforms, where it stated that customers were now once again able to make orders online for collection in stores across the UK, as well as return online...
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