What did Friday’s CBI survey report show for January? Lower sales volumes as retail got off to a slow start despite the clearance sales. They're expected to decline again next month too, “but at a slightly slower pace”.

​Global events company Hyve Group has appointment Julie Harris as a non-executive director, effective 2 February. She will take on the role of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee Chair.

Lark London is embarking on its first retail venture outside the UK’s capital (but not too far out). The independent lifestyle boutique brand is to open at the Victoria Place shopping centre in Woking, Surrey, in March.

Online fashion marketplace Adaptista has partnered with the British Academy of Fashion Design to launch a scholarship programme aimed at encouraging people with disabilities to pursue an education in fashion design. 

Pure London will be launching The Independent Fashion Retailer Sustainability Toolkit on the Sustainability stand during its 12-14 February trade show at Olympia London.

Fashion weeks never seem to stop in Paris. On Friday morning, the day after the haute couture season ended, Patou unveiled its Fall/Winter 2023 ready-to-wear collection. Guillaume Henry’s best for the house.

Sweden's H&M reported on Friday a much larger than expected drop in September-November profit, hit by weak consumer confidence and soaring costs that it did not fully pass on to price tags.

​Pepco’s budget chain Poundland is continuing to invest heavily in its stores this year with the creation of hundreds of new jobs and opening/relocation plans that will also see expansion for the Pep&Co clothing line.

ASOS is doubling down on its efforts to kickstart its recovery and has reportedly appointed a senior restructuring executive to its finance department, as it continues to talk to its syndicate of lenders.

​Superdry reported “strong” Christmas trading on Friday and generally rising sales, but it scaled backs its profit forecast to "breakeven" and stayed cautious on its outlook for the rest of the year. 

Australia's competition regulator said on Friday it would check whether influencers on social media platforms had failed to disclose their affiliation with the brands they were promoting.  

Visa Inc's first-quarter profit beat Wall Street targets on Thursday as its payments volume held steady with Americans still spending on international travel despite an economic slowdown.

Returns season is upon us, and it’s going to be a particularly busy period, especially for the fashion and beauty sectors, a survey says. Gifts worth £232 million will be returned in the UK, a poll of 2,000 people shows,

The luxury brand of the eponymous designer has reached an agreement with its partner Samsung C&T Corporation to take over direct operation of its business in South Korea through the creation of a new company.

The Chinese e-tailer intends to support new talents via its Shein X programme, which has already supported 3,000 designers, investing 55 million dollars. A fashion show will be organised in Paris in June.

Switzerland's largest group of department stores has announced a change in the company's leadership. Roland Armbruster will become the new CEO of Manor on February 1. He will succeed Jérôme Gilg.