Research news and archive

UK shoppers buying luxury fashion directly through social media

Over a quarter of UK shoppers buy luxury fashion and beauty items directly through social media, even though the luxury goods sector is traditionally associated with exclusive, in-person retail experiences. According to the WPP survey of 2,000 consumers conducted by YouGov, 27 percent of UK fashion and beauty shoppers who follow influencers have...

Retail

Brits looking for “better deals” in 2025

New research from American Express reveals that UK consumers are taking an increasingly savvier approach to their spending, while others are looking to shop small and local and search out experiences. The survey, conducted by Opinium, asked 2,000 adults in the UK about their current spending habits and preferences, as well as their intentions...

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Gen Z and millennials prioritising quality and sustainability for luxury purchases

Gen Z and millennial consumers are driving a shift towards “accessible luxury,” prioritising quality, sustainability and a secure, seamless shopping experiences, according to new research from Tink, the payment services and open banking platform. The research, conducted by Censuswide in the UK, shows that Gen Z and millennial consumers, who...

Retail

Parcelhero predicts that Black Friday will “dazzle” this year

Home delivery firm Parcelhero is forecasting that following last year’s lacklustre Black Friday, dubbed “Beige Friday” after sales dropped by -1.9 percent, this year, the sales event will “regain its sparkle”. While Brits have been tightening their belts, Parcelhero’s research reveals that it expects UK sales to hit 7.5 billion pounds over the...

Fashion

Heriot-Watt University researchers develop system to combat microplastic pollution in fashion

A research team at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland, led by Lisa Macintyre, associate professor of textiles at Heriot-Watt’s School of Textiles has developed a grading system to help fight microplastic pollution in the fashion industry. More concretely, the researchers have developed ‘the world’s first visual fibre fragmentation scale’, as per...

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Majority of US luxury shoppers to maintain spending levels this holiday season

Amidst economic instability and rising inflation, luxury consumers are set to maintain or increase their spending this holiday season, according to a new report from Saks. 75 percent of luxury shoppers plan to spend the same amount or more this holiday season compared to last year, reflecting a steady trend, as outlined in the Sakes Luxury Pulse...

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British Council and UAL looking for sustainable fashion and technology proposals from UK and India

The cultural and educational organisation British Council has partnered with the University of the Arts London (UAL) and announced an open call for designers, design entrepreneurs, and SMEs from the UK and India to apply for the New Landscapes Catalyst Grant Scheme, a collaborative research and development scheme. The aim is to create solutions...

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Purpose more important than price for younger shoppers

According to new research from American Express, Gen Z and Millennial shoppers place purpose over price and are drawn towards lifestyle brands that align with life choices and preferences, such as sustainability. The findings reveal that one-third (33 percent) of 18-34-year-olds said they are more loyal to brands with a positive corporate...

Fashion

Dutch education inspectorate: fashion schools must do more to ensure social safety

Art and fashion colleges in higher education in the Netherlands need to work harder on creating social safety, the country's education inspectorate announced in a report released Monday June 5. The investigation revealed that college boards in the country have taken measures, but a structural approach is still lacking. "Adjustment of policy in...

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New research project ‘Locating Menswear’ launches

A new international menswear research project ‘Locating Menswear’ is launching to investigate the connections between British and Italian Menswear. The international research network will investigate the cultural and industrial connections between London, Liverpool, Manchester, and Milan, Italy, and how they have influenced the production,...

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UK shoppers to spend more this Black Friday despite dwindling appeal

Black Friday may be splitting opinion but UK shoppers are expected to spend more despite UK consumers finding the American shopping phenomenon less appealing. A survey conducted by PwC shows that UK consumers are increasingly cynical about Black Friday deals. Other countries tracked for data include the opinions of consumers in France, Germany,...

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Inditex and MIT sign agreement to promote research into sustainability

Spanish fast fashion giant Inditex (Zara, Pull & Bear, Bershka, Stradivarius) has announced a multi-year agreement with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to conduct joint research on sustainability and recycling of textile materials, as well as new lines of research related to data analysis. Inditex will provide MIT with a total of...