Sourcing giant Li & Fung further strengthened its own portfolio at the end of last week, when it acquired private label apparel supplier Visage Group. . The deal is a further sign of Hong Kong based Li & Fung's intention to grow a stable of worldwide businesses in addition to its sourcing activities for major brands and retailers. . It follows recent acquisitions of US based children's wear maker Wear Me Apparel and handbag importer Van Zeeland. 
Share:  Sourcing giant Li & Fung further strengthened its own portfolio at the end of last week, when it acquired private label apparel supplier <span class="company">Visage Group</span>. . The deal is a further sign of Hong Kong based Li & Fung's intention to grow a stable of worldwide businesses in addition to its sourcing activities for major brands and retailers. . It follows recent acquisitions of US based children's wear maker Wear Me Apparel and handbag importer Van Zeeland. Tweet this 

Sourcing giant Li & Fung further strengthened its own portfolio at the end of last week, when it acquired private label apparel supplier Visage Group. . The deal is a further sign of Hong Kong based Li & Fung's intention to grow a stable of worldwide businesses in addition to its sourcing activities for major brands and retailers. . It follows recent acquisitions of US based children's wear maker Wear Me Apparel and handbag importer Van Zeeland. 
Share:  Sourcing giant <span class="company">Li</span> & Fung further strengthened its own portfolio at the end of last week, when it acquired private label apparel supplier Visage Group. . The deal is a further sign of Hong Kong based <span class="company">Li</span> & Fung's intention to grow a stable of worldwide businesses in addition to its sourcing activities for major brands and retailers. . It follows recent acquisitions of US based children's wear maker Wear Me Apparel and handbag importer Van Zeeland. Tweet this 

Is it any coincidence that Wal Mart's International CEO has paid a short and unannounced visit to Bangladesh just as 11 global retailers called on the Bangladeshi Prime Minister to take "swift action" over the country's notoriously low wages for garment workers. The retailers, including Wal Mart, fear the strikes, protests and factory closures that seem to be endemic in Bangladesh are a risk and could taint their reputations as socially responsible companies One company which knows how damaging that can be is UK fashion chain Primark, which is a regular target for campaign groups 
Share:  <span class="sent">Is it any coincidence that <span class="company">Wal Mart</span>'s International CEO has paid a short and unannounced visit to Bangladesh just as 11 global retailers called on the Bangladeshi Prime Minister to take "swift action" over the country's notoriously low wages for garment workers. </span> The retailers, including <span class="company">Wal Mart</span>, fear the strikes, protests and factory closures that seem to be endemic in Bangladesh are a risk and could taint their reputations as socially responsible companies One company which knows how damaging that can be is UK fashion chain Primark, which is a regular target for campaign groups Tweet this 

While most industry observers have been unanimous in their praise of Wal Mart's mega sourcing deal with Li & Fung, now that its full impact has had time to settle in there are some out there who are starting to question the retailer's true motivations.  . One of the biggest elephants in the room is where it leaves Wal Mart's recent pledges on sustainability Signing a $2bn deal with Li & Fung seems to be taking a big step away from plans rolled out last July to get its suppliers to complete a Sustainability Index calculating the full environmental costs of making every product on the retailer's shelves 
Share:  <span class="sent">While most industry observers have been unanimous in their praise of Wal Mart's mega sourcing deal with <span class="company">Li</span> & Fung, now that its full impact has had time to settle in there are some out there who are starting to question the retailer's true motivations.  . </span> One of the biggest elephants in the room is where it leaves Wal Mart's recent pledges on sustainability Signing a $2bn deal with <span class="company">Li</span> & Fung seems to be taking a big step away from plans rolled out last July to get its suppliers to complete a Sustainability Index calculating the full environmental costs of making every product on the retailer's shelves Tweet this 

While most industry observers have been unanimous in their praise of Wal Mart's mega sourcing deal with Li & Fung, now that its full impact has had time to settle in there are some out there who are starting to question the retailer's true motivations.  . One of the biggest elephants in the room is where it leaves Wal Mart's recent pledges on sustainability Signing a $2bn deal with Li & Fung seems to be taking a big step away from plans rolled out last July to get its suppliers to complete a Sustainability Index calculating the full environmental costs of making every product on the retailer's shelves 
Share:  <span class="sent">While most industry observers have been unanimous in their praise of <span class="company">Wal Mart</span>'s mega sourcing deal with Li & Fung, now that its full impact has had time to settle in there are some out there who are starting to question the retailer's true motivations.  . </span> One of the biggest elephants in the room is where it leaves <span class="company">Wal Mart</span>'s recent pledges on sustainability Signing a $2bn deal with Li & Fung seems to be taking a big step away from plans rolled out last July to get its suppliers to complete a Sustainability Index calculating the full environmental costs of making every product on the retailer's shelves Tweet this 

This is exactly what has happened with US retail giant Wal Mart Stores Inc, which last week agreed a strategic alliance with Li & Fung as part of a shake up of its global sourcing structure in a bid to reduce costs, improve quality and accelerate its speed to market Under the deal, Li & Fung is forming a new company to manage the Wal Mart account and will act as a buying agent for goods valued at around $2bn within the first year "We are redefining how we source products that are imported into Walmart retail markets around the globe," Wal Mart said of the deal 
Share:  <span class="sent">This is exactly what has happened with US retail giant <span class="company">Wal Mart</span> Stores Inc, which last week agreed a strategic alliance with Li & Fung as part of a shake up of its global sourcing structure in a bid to reduce costs, improve quality and accelerate its speed to market</span> Under the deal, Li & Fung is forming a new company to manage the <span class="company">Wal Mart</span> account and will act as a buying agent for goods valued at around $2bn within the first year "We are redefining how we source products that are imported into Walmart retail markets around the globe," <span class="company">Wal Mart</span> said of the deal Tweet this 

China is the big opportunity for Coach, where current performance is outstripping even the company's own strong expectations. Here's what the company's CEO Lew Frankfort told analysts about the country where its 37 stores are seeing impressive double digit growth "The Chinese consumer loves Coach 
Share:  <span class="sent">China is the big opportunity for <span class="company">Coach</span>, where current performance is outstripping even the company's own strong expectations. </span> Here's what the company's CEO Lew Frankfort told analysts about the country where its 37 stores are seeing impressive double digit growth "The Chinese consumer loves <span class="company">Coach</span> Tweet this 

In what must surely count among the more bizarre fashion pairings of recent times, comfy casual sheepskin boot maker Ugg Australia is teaming up with luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo on a limited edition line. The co branded collection of women's sheepskin footwear products won't be available until October, and it's hard to imagine what the two teams will come up with "Ugg boot construction with design details that embody the spirit of the Jimmy Choo brand" and "luxury comfort meeting high fashion" are the official lines on the new collection 
Share:  <span class="sent">In what must surely count among the more bizarre fashion pairings of recent times, comfy casual sheepskin boot maker Ugg Australia is teaming up with luxury shoe brand <span class="company">Jimmy Choo</span> on a limited edition line. </span> The co branded collection of women's sheepskin footwear products won't be available until October, and it's hard to imagine what the two teams will come up with "Ugg boot construction with design details that embody the spirit of the <span class="company">Jimmy Choo</span> brand" and "luxury comfort meeting high fashion" are the official lines on the new collection Tweet this 

Shareholders in two of the UK's biggest sports retailers were buoyed last week after Sports Direct posted a 39% hike in first half pre tax profit and rival JJB Sports named its new chief executive after nearly a year of searching. . The hiring of electronics executive Keith Jones, group retail director of DSG International, is a major relief for JJB Sports, which was dragged back from the brink of administration earlier this year. It also follows the unsettling exit of its previous boss, who was suspended after an investigation into the disposal of his stake in the company. 
Share:  <span class="sent">Shareholders in two of the UK's biggest sports retailers were buoyed last week after <span class="company">Sports Direct</span> posted a 39% hike in first half pre tax profit and rival JJB Sports named its new chief executive after nearly a year of searching. </span> . The hiring of electronics executive Keith Jones, group retail director of DSG International, is a major relief for JJB Sports, which was dragged back from the brink of administration earlier this year. It also follows the unsettling exit of its previous boss, who was suspended after an investigation into the disposal of his stake in the company. Tweet this 

J Crew has consistently outperformed its rivals during the recession providing proof, if it were needed, that shoppers are still prepared to pay full price during a downturn if presented with compelling, trend right merchandise that they can't find anywhere else. . And a more than doubled third quarter profit and an 8% hike in same store sales show that this approach has definitely paid off. . It's clearly not rocket science, but as chairman and CEO Millard Drexler says: "If you aren't buying the right stock, the right inventory, the right fashion it ain't getting you sales except at second and third markdowns and on promotions." 
Share:  <span class="sent"><span class="company">J Crew</span> has consistently outperformed its rivals during the recession providing proof, if it were needed, that shoppers are still prepared to pay full price during a downturn if presented with compelling, trend right merchandise that they can't find anywhere else. </span> . And a more than doubled third quarter profit and an 8% hike in same store sales show that this approach has definitely paid off. . It's clearly not rocket science, but as chairman and CEO Millard Drexler says: "If you aren't buying the right stock, the right inventory, the right fashion it ain't getting you sales except at second and third markdowns and on promotions." Tweet this