UK news and archive

Indian women-led trade mission concludes UK visit following landmark agreement

A delegation of 13 women-led Indian enterprises has concluded a trade mission to the UK, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the bilateral Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed on July 24, 2025. The mission, focused on the textiles and agrifood sectors, is the first women-centric initiative since the...

Member

Business

UK government lays out plan to tackle PFAS

The UK government is joining a broader effort towards addressing the use of PFAS in consumer products. A PFAS Plan has now been outlined, setting out what the government said is an “evidence-based approach to tackling these persistent chemicals”. The decision to address PFAS, also known as ‘forever chemicals’, comes amid growing concern over...

FeaturedMember

Business

Employment, IP, and sustainability: UK regulatory reforms for fashion and retail

The UK regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly, and 2025 has seen a series of changes that will shape how fashion and retail businesses operate in 2026. From employment and apprenticeship reforms to intellectual property, sustainability and cyber security, these updates impact staffing, supply chains, product claims, and compliance obligations....

Member

Business

New report finds Leicester garment exploitation claims overstated

A new review presented to UK Parliament has found that allegations of worker exploitation and modern slavery in Leicester’s garment sector were not supported by evidence from formal investigations. The report, ‘Lessons Learned from Operation Tacit’, published in November 2025 by the director of labour market enforcement, Margaret Beels, suggests...

Member

Business

Logicbroker acquires Virtualstock to expand dropship network

Logicbroker, the firm behind the intelligent commerce network used by some of the world's largest retailers, has announced its acquisition of UK-based online retail technology leader, Virtualstock. The combined entity will create a new global leader in multi-party commerce, forming one of the largest international dropship supplier networks with...

Retail

UK Conservatives pledge to scrap business rates for high street retailers

The UK’s Conservative party has said they would abolish business rates for high street businesses, including retailers and pubs, if they were to win the next election. During a conference in Manchester, shadow chancellor Mel Stride said “the burden of Labour’s tax rises” have been "simply too much to bear”. Stride further claimed that 89,000...

Member

Business

Modella saves 156 Claire's UK stores, future uncertain for remaining stores

The future of the iconic high street retailer Claire's has been partially secured after specialist investment firm Modella Capital agreed to acquire more than half of its business and assets in the UK and Ireland. The deal, confirmed by administrator Interpath, involves the purchase of 156 Claire's stores for an undisclosed sum, a move that...

FeaturedMember

Business

UK government launches consultation to reform IP protection for design sector

The UK government has launched a new comprehensive consultation to explore potential reforms for the region’s design sector, with a particular focus on modernising intellectual property (IP) protection in a post-Brexit landscape. With this, the government said it is seeking expertise from the UK’s design community, from independent creators to...

Featured

Retail

Alohas opens permanent store in Paris and arrives in London

Madrid – Alohas, the Spanish footwear, accessories and on-demand fashion brand, continues to consolidate its global retail network with the opening of a permanent store in Paris. A new point of sale will be added at the end of September: the brand’s first store in the UK. As part of its commitment to physical retail as an "experiential" way to...

FeaturedMember

Business

Trump tariffs: Levi's UK flags 'anti-American' risk

Levi's UK has identified a potential threat to its business in the form of "rising Anti-Americanism" stemming from Trump Tariffs and other U.S. governmental policies. The company fears that this sentiment could cause consumers to shift their preferences away from U.S. brands, opting instead for "national / European products". This concern,...

Member

Business

Levi Strauss UK posts strong financial performance in 2024

Based on the annual report for the year ended November 30, 2024, Levi Strauss (U.K.) Limited has reported a strong financial performance, with an increase in turnover and a significant rise in profit. The company's strategic report highlights a focus on cost discipline and targeted investments to drive future growth despite ongoing macroeconomic...

Featured

Retail

Mango scales up Mango Teen in the UK with its first store outside London

Madrid – Mango continues to drive its teen fashion line, Mango Teen, internationally with the opening of a new standalone store in the strategic UK market. The company has chosen to scale up operations for this line, launched in 2021 as part of its diversification strategy. This marks the first standalone Mango Teen store to open outside London,...