Fashion
August continued the positive discretionary retail sales story, fashion led the way says BDO
Published
September 5, 2025
On Friday, the UK’s official statistics body released figures for July total retail sales. But on the same day, the latest High Street Sales Tracker from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO gave us some more up to date clues with its August discretionary retail sales report.
And what did it say? Total like-for-like discretionary retail sales (in-store and online combined) grew by 3.9% last month. That was above inflation for the very first time this year, indicating that volumes have also increased. And high street stores alone recorded strong sales growth of 5.2%. That was the highest growth on the high street since August 2023.
The discretionary categories BDO tracks include fashion, homewares and lifestyle, and their 3.9% jump compared strongly to the 0.7% dip this time last year.
Total like-for-like retail sales in fashion led the way and grew by 4.4%, with in-store sales growing in the fashion sector by 5.8%.
As well as physical stores doing well this time, online retail continued the strong performance it has recorded throughout this year, with sales increasing by 6.6% compared to the same month last year.
Sophie Michael, head of retail and wholesale at BDO, said: “Retailers have been under huge pressure this year, particularly on the high street, so these results will make very welcome reading for the sector. Given the disappointing performance of bricks-and-mortar stores this year, the strong growth of in-store sales during August is a very encouraging sign for retailers as we head into the crucial pre-Christmas trading period. However, it is likely that some of this growth was driven by heavy discounting and promotions, as retailers focused on clearing their stock ahead of the autumn season.”
She added that while the approach may well have boosted sales in the short term, it inevitably impacts profits “and will certainly not be sustainable when we hit the ‘Golden Quarter’ in the run-up to Christmas. With retailers’ cost bases higher than ever, thanks in part to changes to National Insurance contributions, maintaining margins is vital”.
Michael thinks that for many retailers, continuing discounting to drive revenue “simply won’t be an option. The good weather for much of August undoubtedly helped get more shoppers out onto the high street. However, as we get into autumn and the weather worsens, retailers may struggle to attract the same level of footfall”.
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Fashion
US brand Gap & Sandy Liang unveil limited-edition fashion line
Since launching her first collection in 2014, Sandy Liang has become one of New York’s defining designers, known for her blend of feminine nostalgia with downtown edge. Her collaboration with Gap channels her cult-favorite designs into a reimagination of the brand’s icons — from bow-adorned denim to instantly iconic outerwear — resulting in a collection that is both playful and wearable, with cross-generational appeal.
Gap is partnering with New York designer Sandy Liang on a limited-edition women’s and kids’ collection launching on October 10.
Merging Gap’s classic heritage with Liang’s nostalgic yet edgy style, the line reimagines brand icons through a playful, modern lens.
An animated short film, ‘Sandy’s Dream Closet’, celebrates girlhood, creativity, and timeless self-expression.
“Each collaboration has its own handwriting — its own story,” said Mark Breitbard, President and CEO of Gap brand. “Sandy Liang has cultivated both an engaged community and an iconic design perspective, which has allowed her to reimagine our heritage pieces into something entirely new, yet familiar. It’s exactly the kind of creative partnership that keeps Gap at the forefront of culture.”
Inspired by Sandy’s own memories of growing up with Gap, the collaboration is brought to life through an imaginative short film, “Sandy’s Dream Closet,” animated by celebrated visual artist Annie Choi. Centering on a street in New York City’s Lower East Side above her father’s Cantonese restaurant, Congee Village, the film illustrates a dreamscape of a young Sandy Liang as she imagines the fashion possibilities of the future, with the Gap × Sandy Liang collaboration representing her ultimate vision of self-expression.
“Growing up, Gap was the pinnacle of fashion. It’s incredible that I get to co-create with such an iconic brand that I treasured so much as a child, yet is still so relevant today,” said Sandy Liang. “‘Sandy’s Dream Closet’ illustrates how wearing Gap made me feel growing up as I imagined being an adult one day and who I could be. I wanted to take the pieces that meant something to me as a kid and reimagine them through my lens today — celebrating girlhood in all its forms, while honoring the iconic styles that make Gap so timeless.”
The Gap × Sandy Liang collection’s playful motifs and whimsical design details transform everyday staples into modern collectibles:
- Denim anchors the collection with versatile silhouettes that merge Sandy’s aesthetic with Gap classics, including the Pleated Denim Mini Skirt ($88), the Vegan Fur Crop Denim Jacket ($128) and Low Rise ’90s Loose Carpenter Jeans ($108).
- Gap’s iconic fleece is refreshed with Sandy’s reinterpretation of the classic arch logo on the Extra Heavyweight Logo Oversized Hoodie ($118) and the Heavyweight Bow Oversized Hoodie ($108).
- A statement-making outerwear assortment includes the Reversible Vegan Leather Sherpa Jacket ($268), a Vegan Fur Half-Zip Pullover ($198), and Bow-Back Trench Coat ($228) finished with Sandy Liang’s signature bow detailing.
- Online-exclusive items for baby and toddler include mini matchbacks inspired by women’s fleece and outerwear styles, extending the collaboration across generations, with Sandy’s son, Rainer, also appearing in the campaign.
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)
Fashion
PO.P in major hire with Milligan becoming non-exec
Published
October 24, 2025
PO.P has made a major appointed with Gwynn Milligan joining as a non-executive director to support the Swedish childrenswear brand’s continued growth and international expansion.
It’s an appointment that “adds significant retail and sector-specific expertise to the PO.P board” as Milligan brings with her more than 30 years’ international retail experience, having held senior leadership as some major brands in roles spread across EMEA, North America, Australasia, India, and Brazil.
Most recently, she served as CEO of British childrenswear retailer JoJo Maman Bébé, “leading the company through a significant digital transformation”. Prior to this, Milligan held key commercial and leadership positions, including commercial director at ASOS and managing director of Fashion at JD Sports.
Acting chairman Johan Conradsson said Milligan arrives “at this pivotal moment in our brand’s evolution. With her proven track record of driving digital transformation, international expansion and commercial growth at leading children’s and fashion retailers… Gwynn brings exactly the strategic know‑how we need as we accelerate our growth in the UK and beyond.”
He added: “Her expertise in scaling retail operations and building customer‑first brand propositions means we are now better equipped than ever to convert PO.P’s premium heritage into measurable market growth.”
Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Fashion
LYCRA x EUROJERSEY bring innovation to men’s fashion
Garments designed to meet the needs of those who live each day to the fullest, transitioning seamlessly from office hours and business trips to more informal social moments. Perfectly aligned with the contemporary lifestyle, these garments help the wearer feel confident and impeccably dressed, even when facing small daily challenges, thanks to innovative benefits such as quick drying and wrinkle resistance.
EUROJERSEY and The LYCRA Company unveil “Upgrade Your Life”, redefining men’s formalwear with Sensitive Fabrics powered by LYCRA fibre.
Designed for the modern lifestyle, the garments combine elegance, comfort, and performance—offering wrinkle resistance, breathability, and durability.
The collection bridges sportswear functionality with refined everyday style.
At the heart of the project are Sensitive Fabrics powered by LYCRA fibre, developed to express a new aesthetic of comfort and elegance, from day to night. A way of dressing that fits every occasion, where versatility is key and where sportswear functionality meets the refined appeal of formalwear.
The result is a smart yet essential wardrobe, ideal for keeping pace with the dynamic rhythm of city life, from morning to night.
Made with patented technology, Sensitive Fabrics powered by LYCRA fibre stand out for their comfort, breathability, durability, and exceptional shape memory. EUROJERSEY’s expertise merges with the advanced properties of LYCRA fibre, which further enhances the fit and performance of Sensitive Fabrics. The result is garments that move naturally with the body, maintaining their shape and flawless appearance even after hours of wear or time spent packed in a suitcase.
Upgrade Your Life is an invitation to embrace a new lifestyle – one where clothing is no longer a constraint, but an ally. Where aesthetics and functionality, technology and comfort, come together to redefine the rules of everyday elegance, 24 hours a day.
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 (MS)
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