NEWS NEWS Department Store TOP


TWEETS @FashionInsight FASHION INSIGHT


Westfield set to introduce the first ever all-digital style event, futurefashion #wearefashion


@Selfridges SELFRIDGES.COM


Peplum, stripes, neons, collars... Marc by Marc Jacobs collection is ticking all the boxes


@houseoffraser HOUSE OF FRASER


Get Hollywood hair with a masterclass from Federic Fekkai at our Ox St store-visit our blog for details on how to book


@johnlewisretail JOHN LEWIS


We're championing leading British designers with our Design Collective including @MHLtd_Studio @TBeasties @bluebellgray


@Harvey_Nichols HARVEY NICHOLS


Watch Fyodor from Fyodor Golan, talk about the inspiration behind the SS12 collection & showing us his favourite pieces


@HarrodsofLondon HARRODS


We're having afternoon tea with @SaraGalvin1 at the delightful Galvin Demoiselle. These cakes are delicious


@LondonFashionWk LONDON FASHION WEEK


'British brands have never been so in the spotlight; we have incredible heritage which stands for quality&innovation.'


@Debenhams DEBENHAMS


Ready for the rugby? Check out our new guest blog, from rugby ace Phil Vickery!


@LibertyLondon LIBERTY.CO.UK


As it's #IWD [International Womenʼs Day] we're celebrating Emma Louise Blackmore, the wife of our founder Arthur Liberty.


February proves tough on the high street


Online sales have brightened a wintry February, traditionally the toughest month of the retail calendar in which overall like-for- like sales were down 1.5% on last year. Freezing temperatures in the first half of the month saw consumers shop from the comfort of their own homes – with online year-on-year sales up 27.9% for the month according to the latest figures from the BDO High Street Sales Tracker. With like-for-like sales up 2%, non- fashion was the only other category to benefit from positive growth, bolstered by a strong performance by luxury retailers in the lead up to Valentine’s Day. Conversely, fashion was down 2.5% year-on-year and experienced its worst month since October 2011 as the artic weather dampened early sales of spring collections. Don Williams, National Head of Retail and Wholesale at BDO LLP, said: “During strong trading periods like Christmas and slow ones like February, trends are magnified and trading performance becomes polarised between those who hold their own and those who find the going tough. Online is the engine room of growth for the sector and is still a way off reaching maturity – so those retailers with a strong multi-channel offer, that they continue to invest in and develop, are stealing a march on their competitors.”


14% bonus for John Lewis partners


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The John Lewis Partnership posted a 3.8% decrease in profits to £353.8m for the year ended 28 January. Group operating profit was down £37.7m to £393.3m mostly due to John Lewis store which, despite increasing sales volumes saw profits decline 20.4% due to margins being


squeezed. Despite the slump, the group have still performed well in light of difficult trading conditions and have awarded partners a 14% bonus. Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of John Lewis Partnership, commented: “We have achieved a good sales performance in a tough year for the economy. Profits are lower than last year, but better than expected and I'm delighted to announce that all 81,000 Partners will be receiving a bonus equivalent to over 7 weeks' pay. “Profound changes are taking place in the retail sector and importantly this was a year when we upped the pace of innovation and investment. That came at the price of some short-term profit but leaves us in a good place at the start of this year. “Pretty much anything can now be sold online, and our ability to originate and source unique products that our customers want and only we can sell will become more and more important.”


which is now on its Facebook page clothingattesco. Customers can create 3D digital versions of themselves from a photograph uploaded on to a virtual fitting room page, and then "try on" the clothes from there. If the trial is a success it means that online customers will no longer have to second guess whether a dress might look too short, if trousers are too long or some shorts are too baggy. The F&F virtual fitting room aims to be practical and fun, and will allow customers to style different outfits, trying various new skirts, tops and shorts to find the perfect matching look for the spring and summer seasons. Best of all, there is no queue for fitting rooms. Customers using the service will be able to choose from a selection of 50 new season items and a further 10 garments will be added each week during the trial. If customers like what they try on, they can add to basket and purchase on the Tesco clothing website. The F&F virtual 3D fitting room also gives customers the opportunity to try out various hairstyles to create different looks and even the option to share their favourite outfits with selected friends on Facebook for feedback.


Tesco first virtual


3D fitting room Tesco Clothing is helping customers find the perfect size and fit when they shop for clothes on line with the innovative F&F virtual fitting room service. Tesco is the first retailer to use the technology,


Dream team nets fashion first


Harvey Nichols have created their own custom hospitality box at the Etihad Stadium, home of Manchester City Football Club. The


Harvey Nichols box, designed by Manchester based refurbishment specialist Preferred Spaces, includes designer clothes, shoes, jewellery and handbags, which are available for guests to purchase. A personal shopper is on hand and a team of beauty therapists will be offering treatments and massages. A variety of Harvey Nichols food and wine will also be available. The box caters for up to 10 people and can be hired on match days and non-match days.


4 | Department Store News | DepartmentRetailer.co.uk


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