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.
Retail reset: Why Gen Z is forcing a rethink of stores, space and strategy
The US retail landscape is undergoing a structural reset. From the bankruptcy of Saks Global to real estate downsizing and the reinvention of New York’s Fifth Avenue, the sector is shifting away from scale in favour of precision. At the same time, the evolution of mixed-use developments and experiential retail hubs is redefining how physical...
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StockX launches ‘Store at StockX’ to streamline resale process
StockX has introduced a new feature, “Store at StockX,” allowing customers to buy and sell products without ever taking physical possession of them. Currently available to select users in the US, the feature enables shoppers to purchase items that are sent directly to StockX verification centres. Once authenticated, ownership is transferred to...
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Nike to cut 1,400 roles as ‘Win Now’ strategy enters next phase
Sportswear giant Nike has confirmed another series of layoffs as it continues to move forward with its ongoing ‘Win Now’ turnaround strategy. The company confirmed to FootwearNews (FN) that approximately 1,400 operations roles have been cut across North America, Europe and Asia, representing less than 2 percent of Nike’s global team. The...
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British Footwear Association names new CEO
The British Footwear Association (BFA) has appointed Ian Cartwright as its new chief executive officer. He will take up the position from May 6, 2026, succeeding Richard Shetliffe, who will step down early June after two years at the helm of the organisation. As a long-time member of the BFA, Cartwright brings first-hand insight into the needs...
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BFC reveals shortlist for BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund
The British Fashion Council (BFC) has revealed the names shortlisted for this year’s BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund (BFC/GQDFF). The designers selected for the coveted prize are Clothsurgeon, Derrick, Harri, and Labrum London. The winner of the fund is set to receive a 100,000 pound grant prize, as well as a year-long mentorship with an industry...
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Sainsbury’s Tu reports strong FY25 growth yet mulls redundancies
Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s reported a 4.9 percent increase in overall FY25 sales in a preliminary report published this week, with market outperformance particularly seen within its Tu Clothing line. Despite recording “strong” growth, however, the retailer is eyeing operational changes among the brand’s team, with redundancies believed to be...
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Under Armour joins US Cotton Trust Protocol
Under Armour has joined the US Cotton Trust Protocol, taking a step forward in efforts to improve transparency and responsibility in cotton sourcing. Through the membership, the sportswear brand will gain access to verified, field-level data on key environmental metrics, including water use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil health and land use....
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Sperry continues relaunch with European distribution partnership
Footwear label Sperry is continuing its relaunch in Europe through a new partnership with Dubois, which has been appointed as the “regional engine” by the US brand’s parent company Authentic Brands Group. Following a “high-impact” return to the UK and Ireland markets, Sperry has now set its sights on mainland Europe, specifically the Benelux and...
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The Fashion Pact and Fashion for Good launch Circular Fibre Collective
A new cross-industry initiative has been launched by major players in the circular fashion world that have set out to accelerate the adoption and scaling of textile-to-textile (T2T) recycled and next generation fibres. The UK’s Fashion Pact and Dutch organisation Fashion for Good have come together to introduce the Circular Fibre Collective, an...
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CBP launches new tool for consolidated duty refunds
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has launched the first phase of its new refund system for duties collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), introducing the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) tool. Now live via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal, CAPE allows importers...
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