Harrogate Fashion Week co-founders Wendy Adams and Sarah Moody talk SS25, exciting new brands and making buyers’ lives easier Since launching in July 2018, Harrogate Fashion Week (HFW) has cornered the North England womenwear trade show market thanks to its inspiring brand selection and relaxed buying environment. This summer will see it present its biggest fashion and accessories showcase to date as it expands its floor space with an additional fourth hall. Here organisers Wendy Adams and Sarah Moody reveal what buyers (and exhibitors) can expect at its hotly anticipated SS25 edition…   ..read more

Greater Manchester indie group Pretty Parade Boutique hosted a charity catwalk show last week raising £700 for the NSPCC. The sell-out event, held at its local cricket club, was attended by 65 shoppers. Tickets cost £35 each and included a welcome drink, afternoon tea, goodie bag and charity donation. There was also a raffle to raise further funds for the nationally recognised children’s charity. Co-founder Mollie Butterworth says the team purposely chose “seven gorgeous customers” as models so it could present its SS24 edit across a mix of “different ages, heights and styles.” Around 35 diffe ..read more

Amy Cook, founder of Melbourne-based womenswear independent Eighty Seven, on her store’s latest developments Named after founder Amy Cook’s birth year, Derbyshire independent Eighty Seven offers a curated edit of womenswear and accessories inspired by global travel. The business first opened in 2016 as a small boutique in the market town of Melbourne. Today it is a three-storey destination store stocking brands such as Mos Mosh, Second Female and Suncoo Paris. Here its founder reveals its current best-sellers, biggest challenges and the process behind its recent refurbishment…   How ..read more

Joint agency showroom concept The Fashion Huddle is returning to London this summer with its biggest ever showcase of brands. Now in its fourth season, its latest instalment will run for five weeks from Saturday 13 July – Friday 16 August.   The pop-up showroom will be spread over two spaces, positioned just a short walk away from each other, at Hammersmith’s Huddle and Triangle. Buyers will be able to browse the latest collections from an increased line-up of UK agents, who will come together to collectively represent almost 100 international brands. The concept was originally spearhead ..read more

Data from Top to Toe reveals sales figures for UK-based independent retailers in February were down overall compared to the year before. Average sales quantities for indie retailers was down by -1.83 per cent YoY while the average selling price for products fell by -0.12 per cent. Profit margins were also down by -1.12 per cent. The figures are however an improvement on last month’s data. In January 2024, average sales quantity declined by -7.04 per cent YoY while average sales quantity fell by -2.34 per cent. Average selling price meanwhile decreased by -1.49 per cent. These figures represent ..read more

A new survey on retail crime conducted by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) reveals that incidents of theft and abuse are rising for many high street indies. In its second retail crime study in the last six months, most indie owners surveyed (96 per cent) said in-store theft had worsened over the past 12 months compared to 92 per cent in October 2023. Items targeted by thieves range from everyday essentials to high-value goods, however thefts of merchandise costing £200 – £499 has skyrocketed from 7.35 per cent in October to 25 per cent in 2024. In response to escalating cri ..read more

Harrogate Fashion Week (HFW) will return to the spa town’s Convention Centre this summer with an expanded show floor, say organisers. Taking place in Harrogate’s buzzy centre from Sunday 4 August – Tuesday 6 August, buyers can expect an increased selection of exhibitors compared to the show’s last edition set across four separate halls.   Over 85 per cent of brands confirmed their return following February’s event including Pomodoro, Foil, Sahara, Bariloche, Nomads, Olsen, Dolcezza, Lily & Me, D.e.c.k.by Decollage, Vilagallo, Rino & Pelle and the Godske Group. A range of new bran ..read more

Boutique magazine’s April 2024 issue is here featuring an exclusive interview with Real Clothing co-founders Lucy and Rupert Adams. The husband-and-wife team, who’ve been running their Southwell-based store since 2003, reveal the highs and lows of running an independent fashion retail business. Elsewhere, this month’s edition features gorgeous resortwear buys and brands, Father’s Day gifting ideas and the latest in spring beauty… READ ONLINE ISSUE The post April issue out now appeared first on Boutique Magazine ..read more

This year’s early Easter failed to reverse the UK’s declining retail footfall trend, with physical shopper numbers decreasing by 1.3 per cent overall year-on-year (YoY) in March. According to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data, high street footfall dropped by 1.5 per cent YoY while retail park visitor numbers fell by 3.5 per cent. Shopping centres, however, managed to entice a slight increase of 0.3 per cent more traffic compared to March 2023. The figures were a vast improvement on the month before, with total UK footfall rising by 6.2 per cent on February. The biggest increase was seen on the high stre ..read more

The Boutique Star Awards winners’ party will return to the May Fair Hotel’s glitzy Crystal Room this year for a celebration of the industry’s best fashion indies and brands. Taking place on Thursday 7 November 2024, the evening event will include a drinks reception, three-course sit-down dinner with wine as well as an awards ceremony hosted by television presenter Hayley Sparkes. This year’s competition includes 21 different categories to recognise the industry’s best fashion and lifestyle independents and their suppliers. Retailers can enter a range of awards including Fashion Independent of ..read more