Fashion
Fashion executives are projecting more price increases next year
By
Bloomberg
Published
November 17, 2025
Nearly three quarters of fashion executives expect to hike prices next year as tariffs and rising costs weigh on the industry, according to a report by McKinsey & Co.
That’s a big jump from a year earlier when only about half of executives said they expected to raise prices, McKinsey’s data shows. The price increases will seek to offset higher tariffs and costs, according to McKinsey.
McKinsey also projects that industry growth will remain muted for the year as “heightened macroeconomic volatility is expected to continue to weigh on sentiment and drive value-conscious consumer behaviour.”
Consumers have pulled back in recent months and prioritised essential purchases as rising costs across the economy erode discretionary spending. A number of fashion and apparel brands have said they’ll raise prices in recent earnings reports.
In September, American Eagle Outfitters Inc. chief financial officer Mike Mathias said that raising pries is “one tool in the kit” that will be used to compensate for higher expenses. The retailer will also look to optimise where it’s producing its products as well as negotiate with suppliers and seek lower freight costs.
Earlier this month, Ralph Lauren Corp. chief financial officer Justin Picicci told investors that the company is making “modest adjustments” to prices for the brand’s fall and spring 2026 line-ups in response to higher tariffs.
McKinsey projects a modest improvement next year for luxury goods following a “difficult” 2025. “High prices remain a significant hurdle for aspirational customers,” according to McKinsey, which noted that many would-be luxury shoppers are focusing on personal wellness and health instead.
This was in response to a request from Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, who is currently visiting Washington, DC, the country’s Chief Advisor said in a post on Facebook.
USTR Jamieson Greer has agreed to raise with the President the possibility of reducing Bangladesh’s 20-per cent reciprocal tariff rate, bringing it more in line with regional competitors.
This was in response to a request from Bangladesh’s National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, who is visiting the US.
Both sides have developed a solution to support Bangladesh’s export priorities.
Both sides have developed an innovative and forward-looking solution to support Bangladesh’s export priorities. Under a proposed preferential scheme discussed by Rahman and Greer, Bangladesh would receive tariff-free access to the US market for textile and apparel exports equivalent to its imports of US-produced cotton and man-made fibre textile inputs, measured on a square-meter basis, the Chief Advisor’s post said.
“This creative, win-win approach strengthens bilateral trade, supports Bangladeshi manufacturers and workers, and deepens supply-chain ties with US producers. It reflects growing momentum and goodwill in US-Bangladesh economic relations and marks a promising new chapter for Bangladesh’s global trade prospects,” the post added.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Published
January 12, 2026
Recent news that Next was eyeing an acquisition of Russell & Bromley has been added to with reports that it has teamed up with a stock clearance specialist and that the premium footwear chain’s stores could disappear from the high street.
The company is reportedly working with Retail Realisation on its offer for the retailer, a fact that reinforces Next’s interest in the IPR rather than the physical business.
Retail Realisation is a liquidation with links to Modella Capital, the company that controls TOFS and Claire’s UK, both of which are said to be in danger of administration filings.
Not that Next is a shoe-in as the new owner with its proposal said to be one of a number currently being considered by Russell & Bromley’s adviser Interpath.
Acquisition-hungry Next is also believed to be looking at a takeover deal for another key name in UK footwear, the distressed LK Bennett business.
Sky News cited “industry sources” saying the link-up between Next and Retail Realisation underlined its “interest in Russell & Bromley’s brand rather than its store estate or stock”.
Family-owned Russell & Bromley currently trades from 37 stores and employs more than 450 people. It’s run by fifth-generation family member Andrew Bromley and has Billie Piper as the face of the brand.
If Next bought only the IPR, it would leave the stores without the right to carry the Russell & Bromley name, reports said.
None of the parties involved have commented so far.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Published
January 12, 2026
JD Sports is diving deep into AI with a new plan that means shoppers will be able to buy products through AI platforms without exiting an app.
AI is increasingly making itself felt in retail in both behind-the-scenes and customer-facing activities and this is one move that’s as customer-facing as it’s possible to get. It reflects consumers’ increasing use of AI platforms like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, the latter of which will be its first partner.
Jetan Chowk, JD’s chief technology and transformation officer told the Press Association the company sees AI as “the future of how people will shop” and the retailer wants to be at the heart of this.
It’s working with Commercetools and payment firm Stripe on “one-click purchases” through AI platforms with the tech to launch in the US — now its biggest market — in the months ahead.
But JD isn’t the only one carving out an AI sales future. Back in October major rival Frasers Group (it owns Sports Direct, which competes directly with JD in the UK) saying it was to become the first European retailer to deploy Commercetools’ full agentic commerce suite.
As for JD, it’s expecting to expand the tech to other key markets (the UK and Europe) this year.
Chowk said: “We think AI is the future of how people will shop, and we want to stay at the forefront of how they shop. What we are currently seeing is that customers are regularly using AI apps to research and discover the products they want to buy. We can see that already and want to ensure we are moving early to meet customers and their needs in that space.”
Importantly too, JD has a big presence in the youth shopping market and has seen AI usage soaring for shoppers aged 18 to 24.
So now, those shoppers will be able to not only find products using AI but buy them too within the AI platforms.
CEO Regis Schultz hailed the strengthening of its digital proposition for customers, and how how the tech “keeps us moving in line with the fast-changing retail landscape”.
He thinks the innovation will make the company more efficient as well as improving the customer experience.
Copyright © 2026 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
USTR agrees to mull scope of cutting Bangladesh’s reciprocal tariff
PCB closes in on T20 World Cup 2026 squad as probables shortlisted
Russell & Bromley physical stores at risk in potential takeover
-
Politics5 days agoUK says provided assistance in US-led tanker seizure
-
Entertainment1 week agoMinnesota Governor Tim Walz to drop out of 2026 race, official confirmation expected soon
-
Sports1 week agoVAR review: Why was Wirtz onside in Premier League, offside in Europe?
-
Entertainment5 days agoDoes new US food pyramid put too much steak on your plate?
-
Entertainment5 days agoWhy did Nick Reiner’s lawyer Alan Jackson withdraw from case?
-
Business5 days agoTrump moves to ban home purchases by institutional investors
-
Business1 week ago8th Pay Commission: From Policy Review, Cabinet Approval To Implementation –Key Stages Explained
-
Sports1 week agoFACI invites applications for 2026 chess development project | The Express Tribune