UK:вЂWe had a good Christmas’ - Sir Stuart Rose

 

Marks & Spencer traded successfully through the important Christmas period. After adjusting for the timing of the sale, total UK sales were up over 3% and like for like sales were up nearly 2%, continuing the improving trend seen over the last four quarters. Customers responded positively to our quality and value in both Food and General Merchandise.

In General Merchandise we maintained our full price stance as planned, successfully trading through last year’s two One Day Christmas Spectaculars. Like for like sales were up over 3% after adjusting for the timing of the sale. Stock levels were better controlled with less stock going into the sale than last year, which is expected to clear by the end of this week. Clothing market share was up 20 bps1. In Food, investment in innovation and better value for our customers continued to drive improved sales performance. Food sales have now returned to positive like for like growth. M&S Direct had another strong quarter with online sales up 32%.

Guidance on gross margin, operating costs and capital expenditure for the current financial year remains unchanged. As a result of the debt tender offer announced on 25 November 2009, we expect to report a one-off finance charge of approximately ВЈ14 million in the current financial year.

Sir Stuart Rose, Chairman said:

“We had a good Christmas, continuing the improvements seen throughout 2009.

“In Food, we had our biggest ever Christmas fortnight, with record one day sales of over £50m on 23 December. In General Merchandise, sales of knitwear, sleepwear and footwear were particularly strong. Over Christmas, customers bought more than 36 million mince pies, a million bottles of champagne and over 8 million jumpers and cardigans.

“Despite the difficult weather conditions, our staff delivered a great Christmas for our customers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all for their hard work.

“We expect the trading conditions over the coming year to remain challenging as a result of continuing economic uncertainty. We believe however, that customers will continue to seek out real value and quality for which we are justly famous.”

Marks and Spencer Group plc will report its trading for the 13 weeks to 27 March on 8 April 2010. 

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USA:NexCen introduces Shoebox retail concept in Aruba

 

NexCen Brands, Inc. announced the opening of the first Shoebox New York franchised store in Aruba. The store opened in Palm Beach Plaza in Aruba under an existing master franchise agreement with Shogun Trade International N.V.

Kenneth J. Hall, Chief Executive Officer of NexCen Brands, Inc., stated, “With the opening of this Shoebox New York franchised store, we are delighted to introduce this retail concept in Aruba. As we continue to extend the global footprint of our franchised brands, we look forward to exploring additional opportunities throughout the Caribbean.”

Chris Dull, President of NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., the franchising subsidiary of NexCen Brands, stated, “The opening of Shoebox New York in Palm Beach Plaza, a well known, premier shopping destination in Aruba, was a success. We believe that this location will allow us to increase brand visibility for Shoebox New York and to gain new and repeat customers with its high-quality, high-fashion shoes and accessories.”

NexCen Brands, Inc. is a strategic brand management company with a focus on franchising. It owns a portfolio of franchise brands that includes two retail franchise concepts: TAF and Shoebox New York, as well as five quick service restaurant (QSR) franchise concepts: Great American Cookies, MaggieMoo's, Marble Slab Creamery, Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time. The brands are managed by NexCen Franchise Management, Inc., a subsidiary of NexCen Brands.

The Shoebox New York concept had its genesis from The Shoe Box, one of New York's premier women's multi-brand retailers for luxury footwear, handbags and accessories. Established in 1954 and known for its vast product assortment and trend-setting styles from top European and American designers, The Shoe Box garnered a dedicated following of sophisticated women. Shoebox New York continues this tradition by offering high-quality, high-fashion shoes and accessories in franchised stores in the U.S. in New York and Florida and internationally in Vietnam, South Korea, Kuwait and now Aruba. 

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Singapore:Charles & Keith ups ante by venturing into Asia, ME & Europe

 

Expansion is the name of the game, and Singapore-based footwear brand Charles & Keith ups the ante by venturing into Asia, the Middle East and Europe via a partnership with DBS Bank. Hear the full story from Charles Wong himself in DBS Dialogues.

"It may be unexpected, but then I've never gone by the book," says Charles Wong, co-founder and Managing Director of Charles & Keith in an interview for DBS Dialogues. Together with his brother Keith Wong, Charles made the bold decision to transform his mother's shoe shop in Ang Mo Kio into a regional empire selling 3.3 million pairs of shoes annually around the world.

Now, Charles wants to raise the bar even higher by going global-stepping into China, Europe and the US.

"Of course, having a bank that believes in me makes it easier to make bold decisions."

Charles shares how DBS, Singapore's largest bank, has backed his business over the last 10 years. In 2008, amidst the global economic crunch, DBS granted Charles & Keith a loan to construct a dream building that will enable the company to grow even faster over the next five years.

"We should always look at how we can be better at what we do. Our motivating factor is having a good business plan or a new business goal to bring positive change. As long as we remain proactive in achieving better results and new innovations, our business will be attractive to partners like DBS Bank who believe in our long-term strategy."

Charles' story underscores the importance of boldness backed up by solid business plans, which DBS highly esteems. Like Charles & Keith, small and medium enterprises can dream big and conquer the world with a sound strategy, audacity, and reliable financial support.

Find out more about Charles & Keith's story at DBS Dialogues, DBS' newest website that features the latest SME news and events, along with exclusive interviews with Asia's leading entrepreneurs. It's designed to engage and inspire business owners in Singapore and across Asia. 

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UK:Top Model of Colour finale in The Gambia

 

After months of regional heats which saw over 4,500 models apply for the competition, the TMC competition saw over 30 models from around the UK being flown to The Gambia taking the modelling competition into the African continent for the first time ever.
TMC is known as being one of the UK’s leading modelling competitions for models of colour hoping to enter the competitive modelling industry, made even more so by the lack of models of colour on the international runways during fashion week and other big fashion shows that take place around the world.

Models from across the UK including London, Birmingham and Manchester flew into The Gambia for the show. In addition the contestants were honoured with a state house visit and meeting with the President of The Gambia: Yahya AJJ Jammeh and photo shoots in choice locations around The Gambia.

The finale was hosted by award winning UK comedienne Eddie Kadi & top Gambian TV Presenter Fatou Ndure and entertainment was provided by D3, Sing-a- Teh and top Gambian singer Mam Mbala and throughout the night the music was supplied by Homediggy.

The evening culminated with Emmanuel Ogunjinmi and Paula Okunzuwa walk away with the titles of Top Male and Female models of colour (2nd place Evita Dossou-Yovo, 3rd place Charlene Ashong, 4th place Pristyle Loko & 5th place Rachael Naome Nambozo. In second place for the men Emeka Okakpu & 3rd place Timothy Akinyemi). After having been judged on a range of abilities including runway walk, physique and understanding of the modelling industry. Industry experts on the judging panel included Arise editor Helen Jennings, leading British fashion entrepreneur Samata Angel and Yemi Adegite, CEO of Glasgow Fashion Week.

Judges for the different heats of the competition, which ran for months up to the finale in the Gambia had included international makeup artist Eryca Freemantle, Afua Acheampong, the acting editor of Black Hair Magazine, who both joined the troupe travelling to The Gambia and top Nigerian model Ibukun Jegede. The winners secured a contract with Mahogany Models which is sure to provide a launch pad for their respective careers within the modelling world.

The competition also saw both commercial models and high fashion models given the opportunity to compete on an equal footing, assessing their potential within respective industries. Sola Oyebade, the founder of Mahogany Models and the Top Model of Colour competition is an influential figure within the British modelling industry and has worked tirelessly to secure a place for models of colour within the modelling industry.

The Top Model of Colour (TMC) Competition are providing models with exposure to the modelling industry as well as giving them the chance to find out from professionals, their true potential to becoming a professional model.

TMC runs every year and is opened to female and male models of Asian, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, Oriental, and Mix Heritage decent aged between 18 – 30 years of age and a minimum height of 5.1”. This year over 4500 models entered the competition, 575 made it through to the regional heats and 32 competed at the grand finale. 

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UK:Enjoy a professional show for 2010 trends at LFW

 

London is known as being one of the most fashionable cities in the world and at the end of February, a not-to-be-missed event comes to the capital.

The annual London Fashion Week is one of the most hotly-anticipated events in the calendar for the rich and famous.

However, for those who do not have millions in the bank or a celebrity status, London Fashion Weekend is the perfect solution if they love to see models strut their stuff on the catwalk and gaze in admiration at the stunning creations from some of the world's most famous design houses.

Held at Somerset House between February 25th - 28th, a special sale offers all manner of discounts from designers such as Emma Cook, American Retro, Luella and Lulu Guinness, who recently revealed to Vogue that she gets many of her ideas when she is in the bath.

Beauty experts will also be on hand to ensure that those staying at hotels in London have the perfect hair and makeup to accompany their latest purchases.

Furthermore, guests can take at seat in the official British Fashion Council catwalk and enjoy a professional show demonstrating some of the top trends for 2010.

This could be the perfect chance for fashionistas to hunt down unique samples and one-off products, as well as past and current stock at special knock-down prices. 

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Germany:Fashion colours by TFL for leather spring/summer 2011

 

TFL Holding GmbH has released its new “TFL Colour Trends” catalogue for the season Spring/Summer 2011. In the catalogue, TFL presents the colour trends for the leather garment, footwear, accessory and additionally for the upholstery industry.

The colour trends are divided into “Wearing” and “Living” dedicating each a section within the book. Wearing comprises inspirations and colour trends for garment, footwear and accessories whereas in the Living section all colours are presented that will decorate the season’s interior design.

In the “Living” section the topic is “the freshness of the sea”. New marine shades are developed on nubuk surfaces that are enhanced with the Scotchgard leather protector. In the bright shades of dyed wet-white, strong yellow, a lucent orange and light blue can be seen.

In the section “Wearing” a reference is made highly opaque vegetabilised leathers polished by wood. The Japanese “Raku” pottery shows new metal-pearl reflections in bronze-turquoise, copper-green, gold-clay and platinum-lilac.

Furthermore, in this edition some information about the “TFL COOL SYSTEM” is included. With COOL dyes, it is also possible to use more deep coloured leather articles in summer time.

 

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USA:Jessica Parker & Broderick's twin girls spotted in LibraKnits

 

Superstylish celebrity mom Sarah Jessica Parker was spotted out and about in New York this weekend with husband Matthew Broderick and their six-month-old twin girls, Marion and Tabitha. The girls looked adorable in matching fuzzy pink onesies, and they were both wearing the cold-weather baby accessory of the season, the LibraKnits Re sa Cap.

In fact, fashion forward moms all over the country are choosing LibraKnits hats to keep their babies cozy and stylish. This unique company is offering only the most luxurious, posh hats on the market, in a variety of styles. The hats are knit by hand out of only the best materials found around the world, from silk, bamboo, and angora to the softest organic cotton available. Each hat is handmade for the special baby whose mom is at the peak of the fashion trends. They are offered in an array of flattering colors to make each baby look his or her best.

Created by inspirational work-at-home mom Amanda Sawyer, the quality and comfort of her products is guaranteed. Moms want the very best for their babies, and Sawyer has met the challenge to give it to them since January 2008. Her vogue infant hats are flourishing among new moms who refuse to sacrifice style just because they have children. "Our goal has always been to create the most stylish baby products we can," says Sawyer. "When someone as fashion-forward as Sarah Jessica Parker is willing to dress her babies in our hats, we know that we've succeeded." 

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