Erin Brennan

Wowee it's been a crazy week in the fashion world. From sizing overhaul sagas to new market entrants, it's clear that not even economic headwinds can stop the forces of Australia's fashion industry. Out of all the stories, though, this one really piques my interest. I think a lot of players in the fashion space are happy to call the likes of Shein and Temu "disruptors" of Australia's retail industry, but aren't really quick to ask how they are doing it. From my view, it's not just cheap clothes that make these international players attractive to budding shoppers - although I do believe much of their market is buying cheap out of necessity right now, and that may not fare well in the long run once interest rates begin to soften. No, it seems that at least one of their underlying strategies is to connect with customers. And not just digitally. For the past year or so, Shein has been launching retail pop-ups across Australia. They've also partnered with a major music event. And now they're coming for our local talent. Some of us are secretly hoping the federal government comes forth and regulates these disruptors to balance the market, but it seems this isn't coming anytime soon. This means it's up to the local market to sniff out new ways to attract their target consumer without resorting to price drops. The truth is, there are still plenty of people in Australia who can afford a $200 pair of pants right now. But how do you get them to open their wallets? Seems like it's high time to dive into your own customer base and discover the answer! Now, what's the next story for me to investigate?

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If you need evidence that fashion business is in trouble just look at one of the hottest brands Dion Lee celebrated by the fashion crowd and celebs like Taylor Swift has entered administration owing more than $35 million in debts and no buyers on the horizon. Is it poor leadership that let costs go out of control? They have six stores and are not just a wholesale brand. Is it the fickle nature of fashion trends that come and go on social media?One minute you are hot and the next out of style. Difficult to pinpoint but just shows you how difficult and fragile fashion retail is. https://lnkd.in/gFAngGpz

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I love an Australian retail success story: MECCA Brands outfoxed SEPHORA in the Australian beauty glow-up. The AFR celebrates Mecca’s impressive results including: >$1bn in turnover >$35m in PROFITS >2% invested in staff training and development 13 new stores in 2024 Incredible loyalty program ⬆️ which is centered on creating true loyalty without discounting - don’t overlook how important this is!!! What it didn’t mention was Mecca’s distribution agreements which in my opinion underpins profitability and a sustainable competitive advantage. While everything stated about Mecca is highly impressive, I am far more impressed with their ability to negotiate and secure exclusive distribution in Australia for arguably the best beauty brands globally. Why is this so impressive? Well most of these market leading brands are distributed through Sephora stores globally. This means Sephora would have gone in with stronger bargaining power with a global distribution business and still Mecca won the battle for the rights! I can’t overestimate how impressive this is both from a competitive advantage and profitability standpoint. If you compare their model with the likes of Adore Beauty Group, who competes daily for every sale with countless others like Activeskin, Sephora and dozens more - Mecca has no competition. Want to buy Drunk Elephant, Nars, Bare Minerals, Hourglass, Sol de Janiero then you have no choice but Mecca! If you are in the business of retailing other brands, I cannot stress enough how Mecca is the playbook. It’s time to take note Myer and David Jones!

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The truth is out! Designer Brands Cosmetics does rival prestige beauty brands.    News.com.au have reviewed a selection of DB's every day Cult Classic makeup and the verdict is in, "when it comes to affordable beauty brands, Designer Brands is up there." - Marina Tatas, Shopping Writer states.   DB Rivals the premium beauty brands and our products are just as good without the hefty price tag. DB is REAL Designer Cosmetics at REAL people prices, all $25 and under, and Checkout Editor, Melody Teh thinks it's safe to say DB in comparison measures up, "dare I say it, maybe better."   At DB we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to feel beautiful, and quality makeup should be available to anybody and everybody in our community. That is why Designer Brands is loved by the local Australian Community and is the number 1 beauty brand in Community Pharmacy. Real people deserve real skin loving designer products, at real people prices. Take a look at the article: https://lnkd.in/d_cpK4iw

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What does 2025 hold for Australian fashion? Lorna Jane Clarkson, founder of Australia’s iconic activewear brand, isn’t taking any chances. With Donald Trump’s re-election and ongoing US-China trade tensions, she’s rethinking supply chains to future-proof her business. “If you're in fashion and you're exporting into the US and you're manufacturing in China, there's going to be a lot of things that we have to navigate,” Clarkson shared at the Forbes Australia Business Summit. 📌 Read more about the trends shaping 2025 across fashion, tech, and finance: https://lnkd.in/ggdCc2Eb

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New research from eBay shows more than four in five (84%) Australians have bought or sold pre-loved goods in the last 12 months to save money (66%), due to sustainability/environmental benefits (25%), they are looking for a specific item they can’t find in new condition (23%), they can afford the brands they want when they are pre-owned (20%) and they’re looking for a unique or collectible item (20%). Read more from eBay's Alaister Low here: https://lnkd.in/eZJVugCR

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A double-digit surge in online sales across womenswear and menswear has put fashion retailers on notice: invest in digital or risk losing. That’s according to IBISWorld, which warns of an online retail war in Australia reaching international proportions. Download our complimentary report @ https://lnkd.in/ghzxEcAv In our FREE Fashion eCommerce Report for 2024, read how footwear retail firm Accent Group, bootmaker R.M.Williams and fashion platform The Iconic are tackling customer experience in the online space. Uncover the key insights from Australian eCommerce expert and serial investor Paul Greenberg and learn how underwear brand Step One is tackling AI for online advertising. Finally, dive into the new sustainable technologies that eBay Australia is investing in this year. Powered by Kissel+Wolf Australia

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It is always an honour to work with brands that have strong values, but particularly those that have ones that align with our company ethos. We look forward to seeing the next growth phase for Jardan Australia with SEO as a key driver. #newclient #seo #digitalmarketing #mumbrella #agencynews

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Recent data from CBRE’s Luxury Retail Report found Australia’s luxury retail trade reached a record high of $6.2B in 2023. A key shift has been younger consumers showing a preference for high-end goods, especially across the Millennial and Gen Z brackets. This is partly to do with the backlash against low-quality fast fashion which is cheap on pockets, but expensive for the environment. As of April 2024, people aged between 15-54 accounted for more than 50% of high-end spending in Australia. While many in this cohort prefer to discover brands online, they still want the in-store shopping experience. This is leading to a boom in luxury retail spaces across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Learn more in the CBRE report: https://lnkd.in/dhjwmHkJ #Retail #Luxury #GenZ #ConsumerInsights #CommercialRealEstate

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ZARA's flagship store at Burnside Village has officially reopened its doors today. Set in a prime location, the store totals nearly 2,000 square metres, spanning two floors. This store was originally launched in 2011 as the third store in Australia. The new store features the latest technological innovations from Zara's integrated online and physical store platform. It reflects Inditex and Zara's current strategy of opening stores equipped with the most efficient technological tools so that customers can live the fashion experience in a spacious, innovative and more sustainable environment. The quality of space is a vital part of the concept. The interior is predominantly white, clean and neutral with hints of colour and warmth from the wooden furniture and the natural tones of the textiles. The space integrates the Women's, Men's and Kid’s collections across two floors. These floors are connected through escalators and a lift. The store features Zara's latest retail concept for larger stores. It is equipped with the most efficient technological tools to offer customers a unique fashion experience integrated with the online platform. Some of the services integrated with the brand's app include a fitting room reservation service, the ability to search online for items in the store, order and collect them within two hours and to check available stock. The store also boasts of an assisted checkout area. Zara Burnside Village operates some of the most advanced energy efficiency systems, a testament to Zara’s full commitment to sustainability. The measures adopted in this new store reflect this commitment and include high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, LED lighting for greater energy savings and the use of materials with less environmental impact. The store is also connected to their Inergy internal platform that centrally monitors the consumption of air conditioning and electrical equipment to optimise management, identify the most efficient systems, improve maintenance, and define strategies to reduce energy demand. Zara works continuously to reduce the environmental impact of its teams' daily decision-making through a roadmap and milestones for the whole value chain. It also develops reuse and recycling programmes to promote the circular economy and to reduce waste and the first-time consumption of raw materials. #burnsidevillage #zara

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The Victorian Era was subdivided into three periods: Romantic, Grand and Aesthetic, with each period triggered by major events. Find out what caused the shift from the Grand period to the Aesthetic period in our latest article! https://lnkd.in/eskfQPms

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The latest retail data is in, and it’s a mixed bag for Australian fashion and department stores. While overall turnover rose by 0.6% in October 2024, some key insights reveal the pressures beneath the surface: 🔑 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀: 1️⃣ 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀: Promotions are boosting household goods and electrical sales (+1.4%), but lower margins may mean retailers are sacrificing profit for volume. 2️⃣ 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝘁: Clothing, footwear, and accessories sales dropped by 0.6%, showing discretionary spending remains under pressure despite promotions. 3️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀: A 0.3% decline in sales highlights ongoing challenges for this sector to capture consumer attention. 4️⃣ 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀: Rising rents and interest rates are squeezing household budgets. While unemployment remains steady at 4.1%, growing ABN applications point to many seeking gig work—like food delivery—to make ends meet. 🤔 I’m curious about the margins retailers are currently working with. There’s an old retail saying: ‘Sell for more than you buy.’ True enough, but building a strong brand community and elevating customer experiences within your brand universe in good times makes it easier to maintain loyalty when times get tough. -G See the ABS report here: https://lnkd.in/gMkGMNqM

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In focus // The Kave Home Australia Outdoor SS24 Collection launch Driving brand awareness and conversions through creators and UGC. Our creative approach brought the SS24 Outdoor Collection to life through curated content by creators, including @homesbyhoven featured below, on Instagram. The Reels highlight the beauty and versatility of Kave Home’s designs, aligning with the season of outdoor entertaining. #BEA #marketingstrategy #PR #marketing #Marketingagency #influencermarketing #marketingSydney #KaveHome #KaveHomeAustralia #MarketingAustralia #Sydney #Outdoor #MarketingCampaign #campaign #influencercampaign

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This does seem like depressing news. We've reached the bottom by being number 1. But maybe this is the push we need now to turn things around. There are some great ways to change how we approach fashion in this article: - A French-style fast fashion tax; - Banning the export of textile waste within five years; - Government-funded discounts for people who get old garments repaired; - Federal investment to develop an Australian circular textiles industry; - Greater support for community op shops and recycling initiatives. Plus more and more people are buying secondhand. Keep telling the world you're secondhand proud and keep shopping #secondhandfirst https://lnkd.in/giqC99Zh

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Australian jewellery and clothing brands Mimco and Jag's recent collaborations with Australian influencers Elle Ferguson and Jess Kent highlight how strategic partnerships can elevate brands within a saturated market. Mimco and Jag are both iconic Australian-style brands. Yet, in a constantly expanding market within Australia and worldwide, they need innovative marketing to remain relevant to consumers. Mimco and Jag have tapped Elle Ferguson and Jess Kent to leverage the influencers' existing personal brands and engaged audiences. Elle Ferguson's chic, beach-inspired aesthetic resonates with Mimco's stylish yet versatile accessories, while Jess Kent's edgy, modern look complements Jag's expansion from their denim roots into the lifestyle fashion sector. These partnerships are not just about leveraging influencers' reach, but about aligning with their unique selling points, extending the brands' appeal and creating new, loyal shoppers. The campaigns with influencers add a sense of trust to the marketing strategy, portraying them as relatable figures or recognizable members of the community. This trust factor is significant in a market swarming with options, helping to build brand loyalty, which can be a significant competitive advantage. The consumer experience is also heightened when these collaborations are personalized, with influencers having input into how some of the products look, making the collection more appealing by providing an element of exclusivity. In a crowded fashion landscape, where everyone is trying to stand out, visibility becomes a key differentiator. By partnering with influencers, Mimco and Jag are uniquely positioned at the forefront of influencer marketing opportunities, capturing Australian and global attention. #Mimco #JAG. #APG #InfluencerColab https://lnkd.in/gxMh8hDz https://lnkd.in/gGsYPCrM

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We’re excited to welcome Marais luxury multi-brand online boutique to our Pride. 🦁 After opening its doors in Australia in 2004 in Melbourne, Marais launched its online arm in 2021. With 35 brands in-house, Marais is focused on curating visionary seasonal collections and is eager to refine its digital marketing approach and move away from crowded online luxury fashion marketplaces. Originally, Marais met with LION a year ago and returned with a list of goals to meet after unsatisfactory single-channel agency and Holdco experiences. The brand was seeking to resolve the need to manage multiple channels by engaging an eCommerce partner with everything under one roof. Marais wanted the multi-channel innovation to deliver measurable progress, boost conversions, and hit targeted key performance goals. As Marais plans to enter the US market and increase revenue significantly, the brand looks to LION for stronger profitability tracking by category, an advanced focus on customer loyalty and a streamlined multi-channel digital marketing strategy to surpass these goals. LION Digital is one of the only true eCommerce-focused agencies in the game! As 1 of only 5 Shopify Plus Marketing Partners, a Google Premier Partner 2024, and a Klaviyo Elite Master Partner, we have the eCom cred and experience that your brand needs to thrive. #DigitalMarketing #Partnership #LIONDigital #eCommerce #LuxuryBrands #Boutique #Fashion

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REVOLVE Group reports a slight decline in first-quarter sales, totaling US $ 270.6 million, a 3 per cent decrease. Mike Karanikolas Jenny Baxter Moser #USAretail #fashion #retail #Apparel #Revolve #USA #DailyNews #ApparelResources #RetailIndustry #FashionIndustry

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