Samantha J. Warrington

1 month ago | drapersonline.com | Samantha J. Warrington

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the Consumer Prices Index rose 3.5% in the 12 months to April 2025, up from 2.6% in the 12 months to March. The UK government's target for inflation is 2%. The largest upward contributions came from housing and household services, transport, and recreation and culture. Rises in employers' National Insurance and the National Living Wage also took effect in April.

1 month ago | drapersonline.com | Samantha J. Warrington

Revenue of £71.5m was down 6.5% year on year for the period. Store revenue fell 10.3% to £53.3m, as Shoe Zone traded out of 31 fewer stores compared with 12 months ago. Digital sales rose 6.4% year on year to £18.2m, after introduction of free next-day delivery on all Shoezone.com orders in the fourth quarter of the last financial year. Adjusted loss before tax for the first half of 2025/26 was £2.6m, which the company said was "in line with management expectations".

1 month ago | drapersonline.com | Samantha J. Warrington

Next-level tech From updates to ecommerce platforms, to new mobile apps and digital transformation projects, where are UK fashion brands and retailers investing the smart money? Optimising operations Hotter Shoes operations director Paul Harnetty explains how the footwear manufacturer uses tech to drive efficiency and increase productivity at its factory in Skelmersdale.

2 months ago | drapersonline.com | Samantha J. Warrington

Adjusted EBITDA rose 14% – or £6.4m – to more than £50m (£51.7m). Profit before tax was £11.9m. This represents a slight dip from the previous year (£13.1m), as the company continued to invest in its omnichannel expansion, with stores confirmed in London, New York, Dubai, Amsterdam, Manchester, Bicester and a New York City headquarters to drive its US business alongside continued investment into the digital technology that underpins Gymshark’s ecommerce business.

2 months ago | drapersonline.com | Samantha J. Warrington

Livestream shopping on social media presents an especially exciting opportunity. Forecasting company WGSN found that conversion rates during livestream shopping were up to 10 times  higher than conventional ecommerce in its Ecommerce Reinvented: A Future Build on Connection report in January 2025. Read more: Social enterprise: how to cultivate community and convert it into cashResale platform Luxe Collective is leveraging livestreaming. It launched on TikTok Shop in April 2024.