Articles by Rachel Douglass
Rachel has been with FashionUnited since mid-2021. Descending from the UK, she moved to the Netherlands in 2014 to attend Amsterdam Fashion Institute, where she studied a BA in International Fashion and Branding with a specialisation in Journalism.
At FashionUnited, Rachel covers daily news, from store openings to acquisitions, alongside which she focuses on research-based stories, interviews and on-the-ground event reporting. Her topics of interest include digital fashion, independent retail and current trends.
Pandora expects 6 percent growth in 2025 despite ‘softer than expected’ Q4
Danish jewellery giant Pandora said it is anticipating organic growth of 6 percent for 2025, despite recording a “softer than expected” Q4. The preliminary and unaudited results came marginally below the previously reported guidance of 7 to 8 percent. Group EBIT margin for the year, however, is expected to fall in line with its guidance of 24...
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Next board member exits after 40 years, new sales and marketing director named
British retail giant Next has announced the planned departure of Jane Shields from its board, bringing to an end a 40 year tenure for the executive. She will retire from the company in May 2026. Shields first joined Next in 1985 as sales director, before moving up into roles of increasing responsibility to eventually become group sales,...
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Inside Mango's UK expansion strategy: From brick-and-mortar growth to subcategory focus
Over recent years, Spanish international fashion brand Mango has remained steadfast in its commitment to brick-and-mortar retail. While some competitors are narrowing their physical networks, Mango has instead prioritised its footprint, navigating a challenging retail environment with a revamped, Mediterranean-inspired store concept and a focus...
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Macy’s confirms further 14 store closures
US department store Macy’s is due to close a further 14 locations this year as part of its ongoing ‘Bold New Chapter’ transformation strategy. The additional store closures were confirmed in a memo to employees from chairman and CEO Tony Spring, seen and reported on by WWD. In the note, Spring said: “In executing our strategy, we continue to...
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Ground Up expands into hosiery via expansion of PepsiCo partnership
Footwear licensing firm Ground Up has expanded into hosiery after extending its existing partnership with PepsiCo through the addition of the Cheetos brand. The partnership, driven by licensing agent The Joester Loria Group, marks the first time Ground Up has ventured into the hosiery category, building on the firm’s ongoing evolution “from a...
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The Very Group owner reportedly eyeing two billion pound auction
Carlyle, the US parent company of The Very Group, is believed to be preparing to launch a two billion pound auction for the ailing British e-tailer just months after its acquisition. Sources for Sky News have suggested that the American private equity firm is due to appoint Barclays and JP Morgan to oversee the sale of Very, which also owns...
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SilkFred’s debts mount to 4.4 million pounds, sale anticipated "shortly"
A new filing has revealed that collapsed multibrand e-tailer SilkFred is said to owe an estimated 4.4 million pounds to unsecured creditors. A joint administrators document filed with the UK’s Companies House by Quantuma Advisory has shown the company, which fell into administration in October 2025, owes 463,597 pounds to brands that were...
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Eddie Bauer preps for growth as Authentic taps e-commerce and wholesale partner
The parent company of Eddie Bauer, Authentic Brands Group, is prepping the brand for global growth through the appointment of Outdoor 5, LLC (Oved). The licensing firm will oversee the brand’s e-commerce and wholesale operations, as well as its design and product development in the US and Canada. Catalyst Brands will retain responsibility for...
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Nike quietly offloads virtual sneaker subsidiary RTFKT
Sportswear giant Nike has sold RTFKT just over a year after it shuttered the virtual sneaker subsidiary. The move comes as the company continues to refocus on its sportswear business under the guidance of chief executive officer, Elliott Hill. Nike confirmed the news in a statement initially issued to The Oregonlive, in which it said the sale,...
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New Balance names Ger Wright as VP sales EMEA
Ger Wright has been appointed as New Balance’s vice president sales for the EMEA region. The executive announced her new position on LinkedIn, where she said she was “energised to be back in a brand leadership role”. Wright added that in the role she will work “alongside the team to capitalise on the momentum New Balance is creating and to take...
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