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.
JD Sports opens first Canadian flagship store
JD Sports is venturing further into Canada with the opening of its first flagship store in the region. The British sportswear giant has selected Vancouver’s Robson Street for the launch, which continues to build on its ongoing North American growth strategy. JD already operates 33 stores across Canada, yet it has aspirations to grow this number...
Retailloading...
UK: Weather drives footfall to coastal towns as activity drops elsewhere
Retail footfall dropped across all UK retail destinations last week – June 15 to 21 – at a rate of -0.1 percent compared to the week prior, according to MRI Software. The largest decline was seen at shopping centres, where footfall fell -1.5 percent. This was followed by a -1.3 percent dip at retail parks. In contrast, high streets welcomed a...
Retailloading...
Sojo to expand to France following opening of new repair hubs in London
Repair platform Sojo is set to soon make its international debut in France on the heels of opening new service hubs in two of London’s Westfield shopping centres. The company is set to launch its repair and alteration service ‘Fix & Fit’ at both Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City on June 25. Here, customers can book tailoring, repair...
Retailloading...
Fashion Nova agrees to 5 million dollar settlement over allegedly inaccessible site
Fast fashion retailer Fashion Nova has agreed to pay 5.15 million dollars in gross settlement to legally blind individuals that found its website inaccessible. The plaintiff in the class action lawsuit, Juan Alcazar, alleged that the e-commerce site of the company had denied such individuals, who use screen reading software, “an experience to...
BusinessMemberloading...
Willy Chavarria reportedly being eyed for Fendi
New York-based Willy Chavarria is said to be at the front of the race to take over Fendi. While many names have been in circulation to step in as creative director for the Italian fashion house, the Mexican-Irish designer has emerged as a strong contender, according to sources for WWD. The media outlet said the likelihood of a deal with...
Peopleloading...
Fanatics enters Middle East, opens office in Qatar
US digital sports platform Fanatics has entered the Middle East, opening a new office in Doha, Qatar, which will serve as a “hub for operations” in the region. The move comes on the back of the company signing a partnership with the State of Qatar in February, which included the country’s sponsorship of Fanatics Fest. It builds on Fanatics’...
BusinessMemberloading...
Mulberry eyes 20 million pound fundraise as transformation plan progresses
British brand Mulberry is looking to raise 20 million pounds of additional capital in a fundraising to back its growth strategy as its ongoing transformation plan progresses. It comes “in light of an even more challenging trading environment seen at a macro level”, the group noted. In a regulatory filing, the luxury accessory label said, with...
BusinessFeaturedMemberloading...
Nike and Shoe Surgeon settle trademark dispute
Sportswear giant Nike has secured a permanent injunction against the Shoe Surgeon. The duo entered a confidential agreement to settle a trademark infringement and counterfeiting case, initially filed by Nike, as well as a defamation counterclaim sought by the Shoe Surgeon. A proposed judgement has been filed with the US District Court for the...
BusinessMemberloading...
Adidas extends partnership with Juventus football team by 10 years
German sportswear giant Adidas has renewed its partnership with Italian football team Juventus for another 10 years. The extension carries on the duo’s long-standing relationship, which initially began in the 2015/16 season. In a press release, Juventus said the decision to renew was down to the collaborators having a “strong synergy”, as they...
Fashionloading...
Lululemon to cut 150 corporate jobs, price increases expected
Canadian athleisure brand Lululemon Athletica has said it is planning to cut around 150 corporate jobs as it looks to change its organisational structure. Employees within store support centres are to be impacted, the company confirmed to Canadian press in a statement. “As we continue to deliver on our strategy, we regularly assess our business...
BusinessMemberloading...