Tanya Idnani

Great to see this article by Kati Chitrakorn in the #financialtimes considering that this company #johnsmedley gave my students a great case to solve in class #luxurymarketing #business #school #mba NYU Stern School of Business

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John Lewis & Partners CEO Nish Kankiwala will revert to the role of a non-executive, advising the retailer's board. "It’s been the privilege of my life to lead the partnership as CEO during this period of intense transformation." Find out more details below. #retailnews #fashionnews #fashion #JohnLewis #CEO #peoplemoves

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What interesting tales have come out of the apparel industry this week? boohoo’s CEO has quit. They’re going through a senior leadership faster than my kid goes through haribo. Neither brings any value. Losses are stacking up across the whole industry. Fenwicks reported more than £28million loss and LVMH shares are down 7%. Luxury is suffering a slow down due to the Chinese economy. Except for Victoria Beckham who has reported a profit for the first time ever this year. She gave some advice to Vogue about entrepreneurs not giving up. I don’t know any other entrepreneurs who have cash to lose for a consecutive 15 years. Must be associating with the wrong people! ASOS.com share price is on the slide back down as fast as it rose after it partially sold Topshop. Realistically the only thing selling that brand achieved was lining the pockets of those with stock options. If investors were savvy, they would have reviewed what ASOS did with that cash and realised that was not a good plan for long term survival. They have only bought themselves an extra couple of months. (Thanks Nicholas for the tip!). Molly May’s debut line from her brand Maebe has been slated for being poor quality. My favourite review said “Maebe it’s from Asda”! Which seems insulting to Asda tbh. Their product team know their stuff. Unlike Molly Mae’s. But then what do you expect from someone who was Creatice Director at Little Pretty Things? This is off the back of them failing to list the fabric composition, which is illegal, that was rectified only after the range had sold out. It’s unlikely they’ll be fined for it. Customers will be able to return those items without any cost to themselves if they use that reasoning. But if they plan on launching another collection, expect to be watched like a hawk for violations. I was asked by someone who owned a sustainable brand this week where I thought they should look to expand. India and South America was my answer. Maybe the US but I wouldn’t even consider that until after the election! (I’d like to say that the US wouldn’t impose 200% tariffs, but then I never thought they’d ban abortion so 🤷🏼‍♀️). Expect some interesting trade negotiations with the south of the continent if they do though. What’s been your favourite bit of news out of the #ApparelIndustry this week? #Retail #ConsumerConfidence

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Who is Burberry's new CEO Joshua Schulman? What kind of skills can we expect him to bring to the British heritage brand? Fashion retail analysts and industry professionals answer the biggest questions on Burberry's CEO reshuffle, as Drapers examines whether there are more changes on the horizon. #fashion #fashionnews #retailnews #Burberry #CEO #peoplemoves

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Who is Burberry's new CEO Joshua Schulman? What kind of skills can we expect him to bring to the British heritage brand? Fashion retail analysts and industry professionals answer the biggest questions on Burberry's CEO reshuffle, as Drapers examines whether there are more changes on the horizon. Find out more by clicking below. #fashion #fashionnews #retailnews #CEO #Burberry #peoplemoves

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What makes for a commercial product strategy in the fashion industry Part one Trend research is imperative for any company looking to create a sustainable product strategy. It should include valuable insight into current local customer demands and global market trends, insuring organisations can develop products that will drive growth, control markdown and maintain margin. Further read from our previous posts on LinkedIn : The Paradox of Choice, The 80/20 Principle and Essentialism Developing fashion trend information into a commercial product strategy needs to be integrated into the customer profile and market dynamics. This can only be done by the buying, merchandising, marketing and product planning teams all work in perfect harmony together ( or at least to the same focus ! ) A clear trialing strategy becomes imperative to establish which trends will be successful and which will not. Understanding and reading the analysis around these trails….all store v store grid trial, sizes, price v value, 3 week v 8 week; etc. are all part of a complex matrix that is imperative where OTB should be spent and where not ! Supply base becomes as an important part of the commercial strategy as the trend research… speed and agility to respond to early trials best enabled by the use of fabric platforms. Not simply manufacturing landfill. Further reading from : Platform Production in our previous post [email protected]. #sustainablefashion #trendresearch #drivinggrowth #rangebuilding #bdalondon

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Here are some interesting stories from the world of retail for Saturday, October 5: 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 SHEIN’s senior executives, including founder Sky Xu, are expected to meet potential US investors over the coming week as the fashion giant moves closer to a potential listing in London. 👚 The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) has recommended all of Meta’s social media platforms for inclusion on the upcoming “notorious markets” counterfeiting list. ⛳️ A logo dispute between Tiger Woods’ apparel company Sun Day Red and Tigeraire, a company that makes cooling products for athletes, is now in the hands of the federal court system. 🚢 The port strike has ended. But it will still take a while for the flow of goods to return to normal. Ahead of the strike various logistics experts had said it would take three to five days to recover from any one day the ports were shut. 🚚 After delivering frozen foods to doorsteps from iconic yellow trucks for more than 70 years, Yelloh — previously known as Schwan’s Home Delivery — plans to shut down in November. ✂️ Poshmark this week lowered seller fees, replacing its 20% take in the US with a new structure. Sellers will now be charged 5.99% of the order total plus a fixed fee depending on the price of the product sold. 🏬 Hamilton Marketplace, a prominent shopping centre in New Jersey that boasts a 99% occupancy rate and over 1m sq ft of retail space, has been acquired by Paramount Realty for over $100m. 👜 Frasers Group has acquired £4m worth of shares in Mulberry, increasing owner Mike Ashley's stake to approximately 37%. The move comes shortly after Frasers' £83m takeover bid was rejected by Mulberry's board. 💵 Despite high prices and rising home costs, American spending on burgers, drinks and travel powered much of last month’s strong hiring even as other economic engines like manufacturing, tech and finance have idled. 🦆 Swedish clothing retailer H&M plans to phase out its use of virgin down and feathers, materials harvested from ducks and geese, by the end of 2025. The company aims to use only post-consumer recycled down and feathers. 🍺 Constellation Brands has exceeded Wall Street estimates with its second-quarter results, driven by strong demand for its beer brands, particularly Modelo Especial and Pacifico. ⌚️ UK-based Watches of Switzerland has acquired watch enthusiast platform Hodinkee, which operates a website, magazine, brand partnerships division and insurance business, for an undisclosed sum. 📈 America's job market roared back in September as US employers adding 254,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 🇭🇰 Hong Kong's struggling retail market is prompting landlords to offer significant discounts, creating opportunities for brands to expand. #retail #retailnews #economy #DailyRetailNews

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On the subject of customer loyalty in fashion retail… Question: How long does loyalty even last these days? Reply: Difficult to have loyalty when there is a frenzy of continuous change of creative directors. Thoughts? ——- #careers #fashionretail #leadership #customerloyalty #coaching

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Sustainability isn't just a buzzword; it's a necessity, particularly in the fast-paced world of fashion retail. I'm witnessing a seismic shift as retailers reimagine fashion through the lens of environmental responsibility. It's about more than just swapping materials for eco-friendly alternatives; it's a complete overhaul of the ethos driving the industry. I'm particularly intrigued by the rise of 'slow fashion', a trend prioritising quality and longevity over the fleeting appeal of 'fast fashion'. Retailers are now crafting pieces to last, reducing the need for constant consumption. The increasing use of recycled materials is another stride towards sustainability. It's inspiring to see iconic brands repurpose fabrics, turning what was once waste into high fashion. Technology, too, plays a vital role. From 3D design software that reduces the need for physical samples to AI that predicts trends and optimizes inventory, retailers are cutting waste in creative and innovative ways. The growth of the second-hand market also speaks volumes. Luxury consignment is no longer niche—it's mainstream, providing an upscale experience while promoting the reuse of garments. Moreover, it's not just about what we sell but how we sell it. Reducing packaging, enhancing recycling programs, and even educating consumers on garment care to extend the life cycle of clothes are now part of the job. Retailers who aren't riding this green wave will struggle to stay afloat. This is a challenge, but one well worth facing as we move to balance consumer desires with the health of our planet. #SustainableFashion #EcoFashion #RetailTrends

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Democratized Design ≠ Luxury: Redefining Design Thinking, Messaging, Cultural Relevance, the experience and Delivery Is it over exposure, is it commoditization as Jesse Lee claims? Or is it the low bar of social relevance, you can buy; rent it, influencer it? Collaborations between mass-market brands like Uniqlo, Zara, and H&M with renowned designers are often praised as bringing “luxury” to the masses. But let’s be clear: these brands aren’t luxury, nor do they claim to be. Luxury follows codes that mass-market fashion doesn’t replicate: • Craftsmanship: Artisanal detail and exceptional materials. • Exclusivity: Scarcity drives desirability. • Heritage: Tied to history, origin, and authenticity. • Timelessness: Products that transcend trends. What’s being democratized isn’t luxury—it’s the design thinking, cultural relevance, and delivery of high-fashion aesthetics. These collaborations offer a taste of elevated design but lack the exclusivity, materials, and craftsmanship that define true luxury. Even platforms like @The Business of Fashion, collaborating with Amazon Fashion, contribute to this blurring of lines, lending mass-market brands luxury credibility by adjacency. However, luxury by its nature cannot be democratized. Instead, the real shift lies in making design thinking and cultural relevance more accessible. The challenge is clear: How will true luxury brands differentiate themselves in a landscape where their codes are being borrowed but not fully replicated? What do you think—is this dilution a threat to luxury’s future, or an opportunity for its evolution? #LuxuryFashion #DemocratizingDesign #FashionCodes #MassMarketFashion #Uniqlo #Zara #H&M #BOF #AmazonFashion #CulturalRelevance #DesignThinking

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The week that was, a look behind the curtain? #democratization #commoditization #overexposure or #OVERSIMPLIFICTION The Luxury Conundrum: Balancing Heritage and Relevance in an Era of Global Social Flux 
 When Democratized Messaging Causes Chaos What if BoF, McKinsey, and Altagamma-Bain joined forces to tackle the global luxury conundrum of our time? As true luxury and mass-market products with luxury branding blur worldwide, What if we initiated a groundbreaking study to redefine luxury in the digital era across diverse global markets? Key areas to explore:
 • Impact of equal media coverage on luxury perceptions in different cultural contexts
 • Quantifying luxury brand value dilution due to democratization across markets
 • Long-term effects of social media on luxury markets, from established to emerging economies
 • New metrics to differentiate true luxury from luxury-coded products globally
 • Ethical implications of luxury democratization, including labour and cultural appropriation
 • Social relevance and sustainability in shaping modern luxury across regions
• Cultural differences reshaping luxury perceptions and consumption patterns worldwide
 • Impact of global digital platforms on luxury access and exclusivity Could this research provide insights for maintaining luxury’s integrity while navigating digital transformation, changing consumer expectations, and demand for social and environmental responsibility? TCA: How can we ensure global luxury democratization doesn’t lead to dilution? What frameworks can preserve luxury’s essence while addressing sustainability and social impact across markets? What if we convened international experts to shape luxury’s future, addressing business and societal implications in a global context? Thoughts? Interested in this study? How do you see luxury, social relevance, and sustainability shaping fashion’s future across cultures? #GlobalLuxury #IndustryResearch #FutureOfLuxury #WhatIfScenario #SustainableLuxury #SocialImpact #EmergingMarkets

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The eyewear industry is overdue for a revolution. Culture change begins through taking action. For too long, the mainstream industry has reduced eyewear to a commodity, racing to the bottom on pricing with advertising all based around cost rather than style, quality and aspiration. The high street is riddled with flimsy mass produced frames and uninspired designs that diminish eyewear’s transformative potential. We need to shift the narrative: eyewear should empower, elevate, and inspire. Glasses are not just tools for vision correction—they are a centerpiece of personal expression, a bold declaration of style, and a defining element of our identity. When treated correctly they can transform how we feel about ourselves, how we’re perceived, and the number of compliments we can get in a day from wearing the right pair can completely transform our mood. Why can’t eyewear adverts be more like perfume adverts? Emote. Stimulate. Exhilarate. Help people to realise what’s possible for them. It’s time to help people see the true value of high-quality craftsmanship and design, to understand how the right pair of glasses can reshape how they feel about themselves and how the world sees them. Let’s make eyewear the cornerstone of self-confidence, not just utility, and build a culture that celebrates the artistry, individuality, and empowerment that comes with a truly exceptional pair of glasses. Just like personal stylists help people build their confidence and personal brand through their wardrobe, I do this for their eyewear. It’s my mission. And when I see that change in someone, how they carry themselves afterwards and the knock on effects it has for that person. It gets me really emotional. And I’m not stopping until the word gets out there that you CAN look and feel amazing in glasses. You CAN get high quality eyewear. It doesn’t have to dull your confidence or cheapen the look of your whole outfit. As Kate Winslet says: “In order to change the culture. We just have to get out there and do it!” P.S. More female directors would be a nice culture change too (which is what Kate was originally talking about in this video.. but the quote is so apt to so many industries where the culture needs changing! We just need to do it!) #TheEyewearStylist #PersonalStylist #PersonalBranding #IndependentOptician #IndependentEyewear #Artistry #CultureShift

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From Gaberdine to Graphene—Fashion’s Quiet Revolution Heraclitus said, “The only thing constant is change.” This rings true in fashion. Today, heritage is valuable, but tomorrow’s leaders will be those with agile strategies that embrace the future without abandoning their past. With AI, emerging technologies, and generative design, the lines between luxury and mass-market fashion are blurring. These technologies act as great equalizers—brands that adapt will thrive, while those clinging to outdated models will fall behind. The future of fashion will be shaped by subtle shifts, not loud revolutions. Brands that build foresight and quiet resilience today will lead tomorrow. Burberry stands at a pivotal moment. The journey from Gaberdine—the fabric that revolutionized outerwear—to the modern era of bioengineered, sustainable materials, symbolized by Graphene, is more than a material shift. It represents Burberry’s opportunity to fuse heritage with innovation, placing the brand at the forefront of sustainability and technology. However, innovation in materials is only one part of the transformation. Brands like Burberry, Ferragamo, and Uniqlo must embrace circular fashion and sustainability as core elements of their future. Uniqlo, through its collaborations with Clare Waight Keller, Christophe Lemaire, and Sarah Linh Tran, isn’t just making quiet moves—it’s a stampede. Uniqlo is proving that affordability and innovation can coexist, pushing mass-market fashion forward and forcing luxury brands to rethink their strategies. As Rachel Cernansky, Bella Webb, and Sarah Butler have consistently emphasized, fashion’s future will be defined by brands that prioritize regenerative practices and lead in decarbonizing supply chains. Their insights underscore the critical need for brands to adopt sustainability as a guiding principle rather than a trend. As Imran Amed of The Business of Fashion (BOF) has highlighted, the luxury sector is at an inflection point. Brands must make decisive moves, integrating sustainability, technology, and tradition to shape the future of fashion. #Burberry #GaberdineToGraphene #Sustainability #AI #Ferragamo #Uniqlo #LuxuryInnovation #FashionTech #CircularFashion #ChangeIsConstant #5R #thefreshkid

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June shop price inflation has fallen to its lowest level since October 2021, as a result of retailers’ investments in operations and supply chains, says the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Read more here. #fashion #fashionnews #retail #retailnews #inflation

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UNIQLO. Further to today’s stellar trading figures, Uniqlo continues to demonstrate a strong and sustainable growth strategy. I remember when their first UK store opened in Knightsbridge. It was decent but not exceptional—narrow and deep, yes, but the product design and colour range weren’t particularly compelling. The store eventually closed. It took them some time to find the right balance, but they now have a distinctive personality, focusing on innovation, quality, and price. Their offering is cool yet accessible, with an easy-to-navigate store and product layout and excellent point-of-sale support for highlighting product attributes. Their store locations and designs are consistently top-notch. They’ve mastered evolving their product mix, embracing trends without being hostage to them. A special call-out for their AIRism cotton oversized tee. It’s an iconic core product among my extensive circle of fashion industry friends, often purchased in a wide range of colours and used for countless styling purposes. It’s their modern uniform. “a product for all seasons,” ( and occasions ) as Robert Whittington might have said in 1520 ?! Please DM me if you’d like to learn more about where they source their trend information. By the way, if imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, take a look at UNIQ clothing in South Africa. #trenhub #bdalondon #innovation #sustainabioty #productstrategy #colurplanning.

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There's a lot to look forward in H&M's new product strategy. “There will be pure low-price price plays, there will be pure demand plays and there will be the luxury or innovation play,” Ervér told BoF. “At the end of the day, it comes down to having a really relevant, competitive product.” That's a really smart and unique product mix. As SHEIN gets cheaper (how?) and Zara continues to premiumize its assortment (a great move) - the middle is wide open and still full of consumers who want a compelling product at a compelling (but not cheap) price. Critically, H&M's new CEO Daniel Ervér is giving the product team full creative control of the assortment, under the leadership of global CD Jörgen Andersson. This has brought a renewed passion to the design team who are "starting with a fall collection that includes leather pieces, long feminine dresses and a faux fur long coat — something for everyone to love.” The design team also has access to more and better data to inform their decision making which will be critical to the success of this strategy. It's a great move for this brand and I'm looking forward to visiting some of their newly remodeled stores and 'pop-ins' by Perron — Roettinger this Fall. Curious to know - what are your thoughts on their approach? Is the middle risky or genius? CC: MOONSHOT https://lnkd.in/enXvSJd7

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