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.
Animal-free fashion's shifting landscape: 2025 milestones, 2026 expectations
2025 was a milestone year for animal welfare. From prohibiting animal-based materials on major global platforms to all round production bans, the period proved to be a promising inflection point for the industry. What was once seen as a niche concern has rapidly evolved into a commercial expectation, driven by consumer scrutiny, regulatory...
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Major retailers plan US store growth for 2026: A comprehensive overview
Despite widespread store closures anticipated at the start of 2026, it isn’t all doom and gloom for the US retail industry. In fact, many players still see significant market opportunities, driven by brand acquisitions, robust consumer demand, and a push to capture greater market share. As a result, some are planning ambitious, in some cases...
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What to expect in UK fashion retail in 2026: Store closures, expansions, and new entries
The UK retail market navigated a turbulent 2025. This dynamic year saw some brands abandon their brick-and-mortar presence, while others embraced new opportunities. The shifting landscape is set to continue into the new year, with a wave of store closures, expansions, and fresh market entries expected to shake things up. Here is a breakdown of...
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New Year Honours 2026: Scamp & Dude founder awarded OBE
Jo Tutchener Sharp, the founder of Scamp & Dude, has been awarded an OBE as part of the King’s 2026 New Year Honours, recognising her services to fashion and charity. Sharp, who also serves as the brand’s chief executive officer, expressed her excitement over the honour on LinkedIn, where she dedicated the recognition to the Scamp & Dude team,...
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Hong Kong apparel producer Riverstone files for US IPO
Hong Kong-based apparel manufacturer Riverstone has filed for a US IPO, with plans to list on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol ‘DNJF’. The company is aiming to raise 15 million dollars by offering 2.5 million ordinary shares at an expected price range of five to seven dollars per share, a Securities and Exchange Commission...
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950 million dollar deal for JCPenney store portfolio falls through
A planned deal to sell 119 JCPenney locations to a private equity firm has fallen through. The 950 million dollar deal was initially introduced when the retail chain entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2020. Investment firm Onyx Partners had stepped up to acquire the stores from Copper Property CTL Pass Through Trust. The trust had been formed at...
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US retail industry outlook: Store closures persist into early 2026
Following a year marked by extensive store closures in 2025 – from the bankruptcy and eventual collapse of Joann Fabrics, to major network restructurings at Macy’s and Kohl’s – the US retail industry is likely anticipating some respite in the year. However, turbulence appears set to persist, at least through early 2026. Data from Business...
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Lululemon founder nominates three board members as leadership remains in limbo
Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon Athletica, has nominated three executives for the Canadian activewear brand’s board of directors as the company’s leadership remains at a crossroads. Among the nominees, each of whom will stand for election at Lululemon’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, Wilson has put forth Marc Maurer, the former...
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Apple CEO Tim Cook secures three million dollars in Nike shares
Tim Cook, the chief executive officer of tech firm Apple, has snapped up shares in Nike valued at around three million dollars, nearly doubling his stake in the US sportswear giant. An SEC filing showed that Cook, who has served on Nike’s board since 2005, secured 50,000 shares at 58.97 dollars each, bringing his number of shares to 105,000, as...
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Gentle Monster accuses eyewear brand of copying, takes legal action
South Korean eyewear brand Gentle Monster and its parent company IiCombined Co., Ltd. is pursuing legal action against a fellow Korean label for allegedly copying its designs. The brand in question was cited in a press release from IiCombined as ‘Company B’, however, Korean media has since reported the identity to be Blue Elephant, another South...
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