Fashion
CBI says UK retail sales have been weak in August

Published
August 28, 2025
A Deutsche Bank report this week has sent the share prices of a number of UK retailers down on the back of falling consumer confidence, and it looks like retailer confidence is low too if the latest CBI retail report is a guide.
First, a quick look at that Deutsche Bank report. It showed UK consumer confidence at a post-pandemic low and raised fears that autumn will be tough for discretionary retailers. Big names such as Next, M&S and Primark owner ABF saw their share prices falling with ABF’s price down as much as 6% in recent days.
It coincided with the latest CBI retailer survey that showed retail sales volumes “fell at a strong pace in the year to August, extending the downturn to an 11th consecutive month”.
That said, the business body reported retailers expecting the pace of decline to ease in September. So perhaps those share price falls may be reversed soon?
Regardless, the CBI report wasn’t exactly upbeat. It said weak demand and gloomy sentiment continue to weigh on retailers’ investment and hiring plans. Price pressures remain elevated, with selling prices rising at their fastest rate since November 2023.
Year-on-year retail sales volumes fell at a strong pace in August with a weighted balance of -32% from -34% in July. Sales are expected to decline at a slower rate next month (-16%).
First though, an explanation. Those figures don’t mean that the volume of sales fell by 34%. Instead, the weighted balance showed 34% of retailers saying their sales fell to one degree or another.
Back with the report, retail sales for the time of year were judged to be “poor”, to a somewhat greater extent than in July (-19% from -10% in July). Next month’s sales are set to remain below seasonal norms to a similar degree (-20%).
Sentiment among retailers remained poor, with their business situation expected to deteriorate over the coming quarter, but to a lesser extent than last quarter (-10% from -29% in May).
Retailers also expect to reduce capital expenditure over the next 12 months (compared to the previous 12) to a slightly lesser degree than in May (-42% from -47% in May), but intentions remain poor by historical standards (long-run average of -3%).
Meanwhile retail employment continued to decline at a broadly unchanged rate in the year to August (-14% from -15% in May). Headcount is expected to fall at a slightly quicker pace next month (-19%).
And the survey showed retail selling prices rose in the year to August at the fastest rate since November 2023 (+65% from +35% in May). Retailers anticipate selling prices to increase at a relatively slower pace in September (+43%).
Online retail sales volumes were broadly flat in the year to August (+3% from +4% in July) but are expected to contract at a fast rate in September (-35%).
Martin Sartorius, CBI Principal Economist, said of this: “Retailers endured another tough month in August. Weak demand and higher labour costs continue to put pressure on margins, dampening sentiment across the retail and wider distribution sector. This downbeat outlook is reflected in firms’ plans to scale back investment and hiring.
“The government’s fiscal decisions are continuing to bite, and retailers’ struggles send a clear signal: business cannot be asked to balance the books again at the Autumn Budget. Building business confidence through delivery must be the priority — starting with a rethink of the Employment Rights Bill, which risks piling on unnecessary costs and holding back jobs and investment.”
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Fashion
Wolford reports 23.4% drop in first-half sales

By
DPA
Translated by
Nazia BIBI KEENOO
Published
August 28, 2025
The Austrian luxury hosiery manufacturer Wolford reported a 23.4% drop in sales for the first half of the year on Thursday.
Compared to the previous year, revenue decreased by €10.1 million to €33.0 million (H1 2024: €43.1 million). The company attributed this mainly to the lingering impact of delivery delays and store closures that had been initiated in the previous year. Although Wolford stated that these issues were structurally resolved by the end of 2024, their effects continued to impact sales during the first quarter of 2025.
Despite the steep revenue decline, the company reduced its cost base, resulting in a relatively stable EBIT compared to last year. Recent streamlining and efficiency measures contributed to this outcome. Wolford did not disclose specific figures and plans to publish its full half-year report on 19 September.
The results should be viewed “in the context of the expected ongoing transition phase in which the company is actively implementing a comprehensive operational transformation aimed at restoring long-term resilience and profitability.” The company expects the first signs of recovery to appear in the second half of the year.
Looking ahead to 2025, Wolford — part of the Lanvin Group — said it does not anticipate trade policy or the broader economic environment to have a significant negative impact on earnings or sales for the second half or the full year.
FNW with dpa
This article is an automatic translation.
Click here to read the original article.
Fashion
Germany’s Boss unveils FW25 campaign featuring rising stars

BOSS proudly unveils its Fall/Winter 2025 brand campaign, placing a bold emphasis on the “Be” in its iconic “Be Your Own BOSS” platform. At the heart of this exciting new chapter are two electrifying talents: Aaron Pierre, the classically trained English actor and upcoming DC Studios superhero, and Ishaan Khatter, the Indian actor and dancer taking Hollywood by storm with his starring role in the 2025 Cannes Film festival darling HOMEBOUND.
These two rising stars embody the drive, determination, and vision it takes to “Be the Next” BOSS, bringing their unique energy and ambition to the forefront of the campaign. They are joined by familiar BOSS talents who are emerging, breaking boundaries, and making their mark across film, sport, music, and fashion: S.COUPS, the globally acclaimed K-pop superstar and SEVENTEEN leader; Taylor Fritz, the fastest-rising star on the professional tennis circuit; and Amelia Gray, one of the fashion industry’s most sought-after new faces.
With Aaron Pierre and Ishaan Khatter bringing fresh perspectives and S.COUPS, Taylor Fritz, and Amelia Gray continuing their inspiring journeys with the brand, the Fall/Winter 2025 campaign is a powerful celebration of ambition, self-expression, and the relentless pursuit of greatness. Together, this diverse cast represents the spirit of those striving to define their own paths and inspire others to do the same.
The campaign film captures the five talents journeying through a symbolic tunnel, moving towards a bright light that represents their aspirations and achievements. As they emerge, intimately shot portraits reveal their individuality, styled in the elegant, texturally rich, and tonally harmonious looks of the BOSS Fall/Winter 2025 collection. Each star shares their personal interpretation of what it means to “Be the Next” BOSS, and reveals who they are striving to become.
With its newest collection, BOSS brings richness and warmth to the cooler months with an emphasis on key tonal combinations: a palette of sage greens, and dusky marled greys contrasted with decadent chocolate hues. This striking spectrum of tones elevates the mood of the campaign, and communicates the elegant cohesion found in BOSS’s 2025 cold-weather looks.
Licensed products, including BOSS Watches, Jewelry, and Eyewear, also feature in the campaign, with S.COUPS, Fritz, and Gray appearing in the coming season’s freshest optical and sunglass frames. Gray is also joined by Dutch model Parker Van Noord to showcase further highlights from the watches and jewelry selection from BOSS launching this coming season.
The campaign will be supported by a 360-degree marketing campaign amplified across large-scale outdoor advertising in key cities around the globe. Digital and static billboards in high-traffic areas will bring the BOSS Fall/Winter 2025 campaign to a wide audience.
The BOSS Fall/Winter 2025 collection will be available at BOSS stores worldwide, on boss.com, and through wholesale partners.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Boss unveils its Fall/Winter 2025 campaign, spotlighting ‘Be Your Own Boss’ with rising stars Aaron Pierre and Ishaan Khatter, joined by S Coups, Taylor Fritz, and Amelia Gray.
The campaign film showcases ambition and individuality, styled in rich sage, grey, and chocolate hues.
The campaign is backed by global 360° marketing and will be available in stores and online.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
Fashion
US tariff blow puts Indian MSMEs on the brink

The United States’ decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, raising the total duty to 50 per cent, is sending shockwaves through India’s business landscape.
The US’ imposition of 25 per cent additional tariff on Indian imports has raised the total duty to 50 per cent, creating deep uncertainty for the MSMEs.
As per reports, Panipat and Ludhiana are amongst the hardest hit by the US tariffs.
However, the latest media reports suggest the government is now planning dedicated outreach programmes in 40 countries to counter the steep US tariffs.
Reports indicate nearly 50 per cent of India’s exports to the United States, valued at around $87.3 billion, will face the steep 50 per cent tariff. This will significantly impact the key sectors, including textiles and apparel, gems and jewellery, seafood, and leather goods.
Meanwhile, analysts estimate a GDP reduction between 0.2 per cent and 1 per cent in FY26, with a potential economic contraction of $7 billion to $25 billion, depending on price adjustments and finding new markets while a CRISIL report highlighted that higher US tariffs will have a significant impact on India’s MSME sector, which accounts for approximately 45 per cent of the country’s total exports. Among the hardest hit will be textiles and gems & jewellery, which together make up an estimated 25 per cent of India’s exports to the US.
In cities like Panipat and Ludhiana — two major industrial hubs and home to a large number of MSMEs— the abrupt escalation of US tariffs has triggered a fresh wave of uncertainty, particularly among MSMEs, which form the backbone of the export economy.
Known as India’s “Textile City,” Panipat in Haryana is globally recognised for its production of yarn, home textiles, and recycled fabrics. However, since the imposition of the initial 25 per cent reciprocal tariff by the US, Panipat’s supply chains had been facing serious disruptions, and now, with the additional 25 per cent tariff coming into effect, the implications are going to be devastating expressed fears some industry stakeholders interacting with Fibre2Fashion.
Panipat’s yarn industry, which boasts an annual turnover of about ₹60,000 crore, relies on exports worth ₹20,000 crore — 60 per cent of which are destined for the US, as per some estimates. This makes the city one of the most exposed to Washington’s aggressive trade stance. Already strained by ongoing global crises such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, high freight costs, and inflation in key international markets like Europe and South America, the industry is struggling to absorb yet another external shock.
For the city’s yarn spinners, exporters, and small-scale crafters, the implications are dire. Increased duties mean Indian products will be significantly less competitive in the US market. Order volumes are expected to drop drastically as American buyers seek cheaper alternatives in other countries. Local businesses, especially the smaller ones, are worried about payment delays, the spectre of cancelled contracts and mass layoffs.
Meanwhile, Ludhiana, an important export hub in the state of Punjab, is also said to be facing its own set of challenges. The city, which exports a wide range of goods including textiles, hosiery, auto parts, hand tools, and machinery, is said to be staring at a revenue loss of over ₹10,000 crore because of the US tariffs, as per some estimates.
According to reports, more than 300 companies in Ludhiana are directly engaged in trade with the American market, and the sudden cost escalation will only push them into crisis mode. With roughly ₹6,000 crore worth of textile and hosiery goods shipped annually to the US, as per some estimates, the stakes for Ludhiana’s manufacturers could not be higher.
The tariffs come at a time when exporters in Ludhiana are already under pressure from fluctuating demand, rising input costs, and stiff global competition. The industry now faces the grim prospect of large-scale order cancellations, job loss and even existential threat for some.
However, there now appears to be a glimmer of hope. According to the latest media reports, the Government is now planning dedicated outreach programmes in 40 countries to counter the steep US tariffs. The list reportedly includes key markets such as Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Russia, Spain, South Korea, Turkiye, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
Experts have long emphasised that diversifying into new markets and exploring alternative geographies is crucial for survival, and with the Government’s active help, hopefully the industry is able to navigate its way out of the crisis soon.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)
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