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Watches of Switzerland says UK and US see “consistently strong trading” in H1

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Watches of Switzerland says UK and US see “consistently strong trading” in H1


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September 3, 2025

Watches of Switzerland Group (WOSG) updated on its recent trading on Wednesday with the former high-flyer delivering good news about its core UK and US markets. This is despite the tariff carnage of recent months and was a positive development after a series of earlier weaker reports had sent its share price down over 40% this year alone.

The company last week became the latest big name to urge the government to restore VAT-free shopping for tourists (the lack of which has been dubbed a ‘tourist tax’). But it said it’s “pleased with our performance in the 18 weeks to 31 August 2025 and are on track to deliver a good H1 FY26 in line with our expectations. We have seen consistently strong trading throughout the period, particularly in the US, despite the announcement of increased tariffs on Swiss imports. The stability we saw in the UK luxury watch and jewellery markets during H2 FY25 has continued, and we have delivered good year-on-year growth. Registration of Interest lists continue to grow in both markets”.

It was also upbeat about “the success of the flagship Rolex Boutique on Old Bond Street, London, which is exceeding our expectations”. We’re told that the response from clients “has been excellent and traffic levels and conversion rates are very good. The Rolex Certified Pre-Owned salon on the lower ground floor is fast becoming the destination for Rolex aficionados”.

Clearly the combination of a Bond Street address and the Rolex brand is proving to be a winning formula, even though London shopping tourism remains muted due to the aforementioned tourist tax.

The company’s e-commerce sales have also shown good growth, particularly in the US following the upgrade of its signature webstore.

And the group’s “well-established” Certified Pre-Owned business is “growing well in both markets, and we see significant opportunity for growth in this dynamic category”.

The firm’s earlier acquisition (in May 2024) of Roberto Coin Inc is “performing strongly” too. The company plans to “grow and develop the Roberto Coin brand” and has launched a campaign featuring Dakota Johnson as global brand ambassador. 

Looking at the wider WOSG business, it said that “elevation and brand expansion within our own showrooms is proving very successful. We continue to develop and refine the offering and there are opportunities to extend this to our retail partners”. 

It’s signed leases for three monobrand boutiques and the construction of newly designed boutiques in Miami, New York and Las Vegas is under way with openings due in Q3 of its 2026 financial year, which means they’ll be open before the end of November.

Showrooms remain a big focus for the business and it has recently refurbished Northern Goldsmiths, Newcastle, which has been retailing Rolex since 1919, as well as opening the Audemars Piguet AP House, Manchester, operating as a joint venture. 

The new Mappin & Webb Luxury Jewellery Boutique, Manchester is now complete and opens this week. This jewellery boutique has geographical exclusivity for several luxury jewellery brands, including WOSG’s first De Beers monobrand boutique. 

Outside of its domestic market, the relocated Mayors Lenox, Atlanta also opened last month. And the Q4 FY25 openings of Mayors Jacksonville, Florida and Watches of Switzerland Plano (its first showroom in Texas) “have got off to an encouraging start”.

Further showrooms are being developed/opened for this financial year including the new Watches of Switzerland Southdale, Minneapolis and the relocation of Mayors University Town Center Sarasota, Florida. In the UK, it will complete the Mappin & Webb Birmingham conversion, the relocation of Goldsmiths Merry Hill, Birmingham and the expansion of Goldsmiths Oxford.

There’s a lot of activity happening and some major investment cash going into it. The company didn’t say what impact this is having on profitability and didn’t specify any monetary figures in the outlook it delivered on Wednesday. But it did say that “performance in both markets is encouraging and in line with FY26 guidance provided in July 2025. We do not anticipate any material impact from the US tariffs in H1 FY26 as brand partners have increased inventories as shown by Swiss Watch Exports in July 2025 (+45% vs prior year)”.

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Italy’s Ermenegildo Zegna Group unveils new leadership structure

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Italy’s Ermenegildo Zegna Group unveils new leadership structure



Ermenegildo Zegna N.V. (NYSE:ZGN) (the “Company” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Ermenegildo Zegna Group” or the “Group”) today announced a new leadership structure for the Group and ZEGNA brand, effective January 1, 2026. The changes follow a succession planning process carried out thoroughly by the Board of Directors.

Ermenegildo “Gildo” Zegna, currently Group Chairman and CEO, will assume the role of Group Executive Chairman. In this capacity, he will focus on safeguarding the legacy and integrity of the Group’s three brands—ZEGNA, Thom Browne, and TOM FORD FASHION—while continuing to drive long-term value creation. He will also retain oversight of the Group’s Textile Division, the Group General Counsel’s office (including Internal Audit), and the External Relations department, which encompasses Sustainability, Investor Relations, and Corporate Communications.

Ermenegildo Zegna Group has announced a new leadership structure effective January 1, 2026.
Gildo Zegna will become group executive chairman, focusing on brand legacy and key corporate areas.
Gianluca Tagliabue will be appointed group CEO, while Edoardo and Angelo Zegna will become co-CEOs of the Zegna brand, leading brand strategy, product, and commercial performance.

Gianluca Tagliabue, currently Group Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of Group CEO subject to shareholders’ approval. Working in close partnership with the Group Executive Chairman, Mr. Tagliabue will be responsible for shaping and executing the Group’s long-term strategy, driving business performance across all brands, and further strengthening the integration of the Group’s corporate functions. He will also oversee manufacturing operations. The CEOs of the Group’s brands will report to him. Gian Franco Santhià, currently Group Control & Chief Accounting Officer, will be appointed as Group CFO, reporting to the Group CEO.

Edoardo and Angelo Zegna, members of the fourth generation of the Zegna family, will be appointed Co-CEOs of the ZEGNA brand. They will succeed Gildo Zegna, who has held this role for over 20 years. Edoardo Zegna, currently Chief Marketing and Digital Officer of ZEGNA as well as Group Chief Sustainability Officer, will lead all aspects of brand strategy, from brand image to marketing, and, together with ZEGNA’s Artistic Director Alessandro Sartori, design matters, including store design. Angelo Zegna, currently CEO of ZEGNA’s EMEA region and Global Client Strategy Director, will oversee product development, merchandising, and commercial strategy, driving performance across markets and channels.

Gildo Zegna, Chairman and CEO of the Ermenegildo Zegna Group, commented: “I am proud and excited about today’s announcement. One of the most important responsibilities of a leader is to think ahead—to prepare for the future and empower the next generation of leadership. This belief has always been deeply rooted in our family values and is a key force behind today’s announcement.

Together with the Board, I have asked Gianluca Tagliabue to assume the role of Group CEO. Over the past decade, Gianluca has been a cornerstone of our Group, leading the company through key transformations. The Ermenegildo Zegna Group is a custodian of authenticity. Gianluca embodies this philosophy and will support the CEOs of our brands in pursuing the Group’s mission as a trusted and forward-looking guide.

Edoardo and Angelo’s complementary strengths and clear vision will make them a highly effective team to lead ZEGNA brand. They continue the family legacy and have demonstrated their business leadership over the past years. Together, they will not only carry forward the brand’s timeless heritage, but strengthen it further.

As Executive Chairman, I will stand alongside our new leadership team and all our colleagues — a curious and passionate custodian of our brands’ vision and values, as I have always been. I will also continue to oversee the Group’s textile platform — where it all began. I am looking forward to shaping our Group’s next chapter with this new leadership team.”

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.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)



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Canada’s suit imports fall in Jan-Aug as casualwear demand rises

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Canada’s suit imports fall in Jan-Aug as casualwear demand rises



Import volumes mirrored the same trend. Canada imported *.*** million units in the first eight months of ****, down from *.*** million units in the same period of ****. The average landed price dipped further to $**.** per suit, marking a cumulative decline of nearly ** per cent since ****, when the average stood at $**.** per unit, according to *fashion.com/market-intelligence/texpro-textile-and-apparel/” target=”_blank”>sourcing intelligence tool TexPro. Retailers have been moving towards lower-value assortments as consumers prioritise affordability, prompting sourcing shifts to cheaper origins and lower-spec tailoring.

The price reduction suggests increased competition, lower unit-value buying, and retailers favouring budget sourcing channels rather than premium tailoring suppliers—a response to elevated inventory pressures, cautious buying cycles, and slower store traffic for formalwear categories.



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How spinning sector strain is putting Bangladesh’s RMG might at risk

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How spinning sector strain is putting Bangladesh’s RMG might at risk




Bangladesh’s spinning sector is reportedly facing severe pressure from soaring costs, volatile cotton prices, and a surge in cheap yarn imports, even as industry leaders warned of potential shutdowns, risking millions of jobs.
In view of the existing scenario, stakeholders sought urgent support—gas price cuts, incentives, and anti-dumping measures to stabilise the sector.



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