Fashion
Lululemon to enter six new markets in 2026
Published
December 19, 2025
Lululemon announced on Thursday plans to expand its international footprint in 2026 with six new market entries, marking the largest number of new country launches the brand has undertaken in a single year.
The expansion will be carried out through Lululemon’s new franchise partnership model and will include entries into Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania, alongside a previously announced move into India.
The European launches will be executed in partnership with Arion Retail Group, while Lululemon’s entry into India will be supported by a partnership with Tata CLiQ.
Consumers in Greece, Austria, Poland, Hungary and Romania will be able to shop Lululemon’s full assortment online, while customers in India will have digital access through Tata CLiQ Luxury and Tata CLiQ Fashion. Physical retail plans, including store locations and opening timelines, will be announced in the new year.
Community engagement will remain central to Lululemon’s expansion strategy, with the brand planning to extend its ambassador network and host local events focused on movement and wellbeing as it enters new regions.
“As we continue to see strong demand for the Lululemon brand around the world, we’re thrilled to grow our presence and communities across Europe and Asia Pacific with entry into six new markets in 2026,” said Sarah Clark, senior vice president, EMEA, Lululemon.
“Each of these markets offer exciting potential for our brand, and we look forward to working with our franchise partners to introduce our innovative products and engaging guest experiences to more consumers in these regions.”
The upcoming launches represent the latest step in Lululemon’s international growth strategy. The company currently operates in more than 30 markets globally, spanning North America, EMEA, Asia Pacific and mainland China. The new entries follow Lululemon’s expansion into Italy earlier this year, as well as recent franchise-led openings in Denmark, Turkey and Belgium.
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Fashion
Weak demand drags US textiles & apparel exports down 3.6% in Jan–Sept
Shipments to major markets including Mexico, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Canada, the United Kingdom, and China contracted, with declines of up to **.** per cent. Exports to Mexico fell *.** per cent to $*,***.*** million, signalling slower manufacturing activity in its export-oriented apparel sector, which relies heavily on US yarns and fabrics. Weakness in Honduras and the Dominican Republic similarly mirrors subdued orders from US brands, weighing on regional supply chains linked through CAFTA-DR as brands rebalance inventories and sourcing volumes.
By contrast, exports to the Netherlands, Japan, and Belgium rose by as much as **.** per cent. These gains were supported by steadier demand for technical textiles and niche fabrics, as well as sourcing adjustments by European manufacturers seeking to diversify material suppliers and reduce overdependence on a limited number of Asian inputs.
Fashion
Puma secures more than €600 million in additional financing facilities
By
DPA
Published
December 18, 2025
Sportswear business Puma has secured additional financing of more than €600 million. It comprises a €500 million facility and a further €108 million in committed credit lines, according to a statement on Thursday. The aim is to reduce utilisation of the existing €1.2 billion revolving credit facility while increasing the company’s financial flexibility.
The new €500 million facility is fully guaranteed by Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Santander CIB). Both new financing instruments have maturities of up to two years.
Markus Neubrand, CFO of Puma SE, said: “While our existing syndicated credit facility and promissory notes remain available, today’s announcement will enhance our financial flexibility as we work to finalise our long-term financing structure. The fact that our banking partners have further expanded their commitment and business relationship underlines the confidence in our future business model and strategic direction. This will enable us to realise our strategic priorities and our goal of establishing Puma as a top-three sports brand worldwide.”
FashionNetwork.com with dpa
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Fashion
Free People to relocate West End store, will also debut in Scotland
Published
December 18, 2025
Free People’s London flagship on Regent Street is closing at Christmas, a decision that sees the US lifestyle brand relocating to a new 4,550 sq ft space on nearby Argyll Street.
Targeting an opening date sometime in the spring, the new flagship promises to offer an “elevated retail experience”.
Free People, which is owned by Philadelphia-based retail giant Urban Outfitters Inc, is also planning to open a new store in Edinburgh in January, becoming its first store in Scotland.
Free People managing director of International, Chris Worthington, said: “The UK is the cornerstone of our international growth strategy, and we are thrilled with the response from our British customer base.
“As we evolve our physical footprint, our focus is increasingly on finding unique locations that allow us to immerse our customers in the Free People brand experience.”
He added: “We’re prioritising locations that give us the creative flexibility to design compelling, distinct zones that allow us to tell our complete brand story in a more dynamic and expansive way.”
Argyll Street will join four other Free People London stores (Covent Garden, King’s Road, Shoreditch and Hampstead) plus Richmond in Greater London.
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