Christmas news and archive

PwC releases its Christmas trading predictions

With Black Friday and Cyber Monday done for another year, retailers and shoppers have turned their attention to the festive season, and PwC;s Christmas trading analysis has revealed that UK shoppers are preparing to spend an average of 420 pounds on Christmas presents this year. In its annual Christmas trading predictions, PwC adds that...

Fashion Featured

Diane von Furstenberg designs Claridge's Christmas tree

London hotel Claridge’s has unveiled this year’s Christmas tree installation designed by Diane von Furstenberg called ‘The Tree of Love’ decorated with over 8,000 hand painted silver-leafed leaves, glass spheres and 150 hand-blown glass hearts. Inspired by the Furstenberg’s passion and belief in the power of love, symbolising life and nature,...

Management

Boux Avenue reports sales growth in challenging market

Lingerie brand Boux Avenue reports total UK sales increased by 11.2 percent to 49.4 million pounds in its sixth full year of trading in the UK. In the year ending April 1, 2017, Boux Avenue saw like-for-like growth of 7 percent, which it states was delivered through “continued online success”, which grew by more than 30 percent. However, the...

Retail

Retail sales grew 4.9 percent over holiday season

Mastercard is reporting that Christmas sales increased 4.9 percent, setting a new record for dollars spent and marking the largest year-over-year increase since 2011, as consumer confidence continues to grow. The Mastercard SpendingPulse data covers holiday shopping from November 1 through to December 24 in the US, covering retail sales across...

Fashion Featured

The best Christmas window displays from around the world

From Selfridges in London to Macy’s in New York and Printemps in Paris, FashionUnited has rounded up the best of this year’s festive window displays at iconic department stores across the world. Selfridges, London Selfridges claimed to be the first in the world to launch its Christmas installation, back in October, with its ‘With love from…’...

Business|INTERVIEW Featured

Theo Paphitis: Boux Avenue has “come of age”

Lingerie brand Boux Avenue has come a long way since launching five years ago, with chief executive Theo Paphitis declaring that the high street brand has “come of age,” and ahead of its busiest time of year Christmas, FashionUnited caught up with him at the brand’s festive campaign launch party to discuss the retailer’s success and ambitions,...

Management

High inflation to drive Christmas spend this year

London - High inflation rather than strong volumes is set to drive Christmas spend this year, as fashion retailers are in for a disappointing holiday season, according to GlobalData. Total retail sales are predicted to grow 1.9 percent during the fourth quarter - and although this is up on the 1.5 percent increase reported last year, this bump...

RetailFeatured

US Holiday shopping surpasses intentions

Americans increased their holiday spent with 16 percent this year, with an average of 711 dollars spent on gifts and other holiday items according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). “Consumer confidence continued to improve into December and we saw this optimism reflected in the holiday spending numbers,” said Tom McGee,...

Fashion

Poll - What is your favourite Christmas Window of 2016?

London - You know the holiday season is just around the corner when retailers start putting up their Christmas windows. With each department store trying to out do the next, the art of window dressing is truly elevated to retail theatre during the festive season. From Santa's grottos and The Nutcracker to dream-like garden scenarios, fairy tales...

Report

John Lewis reports strong Christmas performance

Department store John Lewis has reported a “strong” Christmas trading period, with like-for-like sales rising by 5.1 percent in the six weeks to January 2. On a total basis, sales were up 6.9 percent, compared with last year, to 951.3 million pounds. Online sales represented 40 percent of total sales, climbing 21.4 percent on last year, and...

Report

Selfridges sees highest profit in 100 year history

Millions of shoppers swamped the high street in search of bargains as Selfridges recorded the most profitable hour in its 100 year history. Crowds lined streets across Britain from 1am before excitement spilled into violence as stores opened, with fights reportedly breaking out amid stampedes in some stores. By 10am, department store Selfridges...

Business