Fashion
UK non-food prices fall again but business rate change may drive inflation and cost jobs says BRC
Published
October 28, 2025
UK shop price inflation fell in the first week of October bringing some relief for hard-pressed consumers, the new BRC-NIQ Shop Price Monitor showed on Tuesday.
But the news came at the same time as a warning that UK retail jobs are at risk from potential tax rises.
First those inflation figures. Overall shop price inflation fell to 1% year on year this month. That’s lower than the 1.4% seen in September and the three-month average of 1.1%.
Specific non-food inflation was actually deflation as it has been for some time. And it accelerated as prices fell more than in September (-0.4% this time rather than -0.1%).
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “Overall shop price inflation slowed in October, driven by fierce competition among retailers and widespread discounting. Discounts came early to electricals and health & beauty, as retailers started promotions ahead of Black Friday month.
“The IMF recently warned that UK inflation will be the highest in the G7. With the Budget less than a month away, the Chancellor has an opportunity to relieve some of the pressures that are keeping the cost of essentials high.”
And that leads us on to the warning of potential job losses if the forthcoming Autumn Budget hammers retailers.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and UK Hospitality have raised concerns over plans to make superstores and other large businesses pay higher business rates.
They said hundreds of sites could close, potentially costing 120,000 jobs.
The changes are designed to give the government room to reduce the burden on smaller businesses and it has said they’ll mean a boost for city centres.
But owners of larger businesses have said it may do the opposite as some major ‘anchor’ sites — particularly large supermarkets and department stores — may close.
Helen Dickinson said ministers should agree to an exemption from higher business rates for retailers to “safeguard hundreds of anchor stores and the vital jobs they sustain”.
She explained that the proposed changes would also added to inflation: “Labour’s promised business rates reform must deliver a meaningful cut to retailers’ rates bills, and ensure that no store pays more. Rising employer National Insurance Contributions and a new packaging tax have directly contributed towards rising inflation, according to the Bank of England. Adding further taxes on retail businesses would inevitably keep inflation higher for longer.”
Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Fashion
Daveed Baptiste wins 2025 Empowered Vision Award
Published
December 14, 2025
Designer Daveed Baptiste has been named the recipient of the 2025 Empowered Vision Award, presented by The Andréa W. and Kenneth C. Frazier Family Foundation in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
The announcement was made Thursday evening at a cocktail reception at the W Union Square in New York City, where artistic director and cultural advocate Edward Buchanan and supermodel Imaan Hammam revealed Baptiste as this year’s honouree. The event drew members of the fashion industry, media, and design community to celebrate the award’s mission of supporting and elevating Black designers.
“Daveed Baptiste ultimately distinguished themselves through clear, thoughtful storytelling and a disciplined, vulnerable approach to building and strengthening their tools to lead a business,” said Milton Dixon III, program director of the Empowered Vision Award.
“We’re proud to support a designer whose work speaks to the future of fashion, and we’re excited to move forward with them over the next year of mentorship and continued investment.”
The Empowered Vision Award includes a $100,000 financial grant, along with a year-long mentorship program valued at an additional $100,000. The initiative is designed to provide emerging Black designers with critical funding, industry guidance, and strategic support to help scale their businesses and build a global presence
Copyright © 2025 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.
Fashion
US textile imports steady as Cambodia, Bangladesh gain market share
China retained its position as the largest supplier with a **.** per cent market share, followed by Vietnam at **.** per cent. However, China’s share continued to slide month after month, reflecting a structural shift in sourcing. American buyers are increasingly diversifying towards Southeast and South Asia to reduce tariff exposure, mitigate geopolitical risk, counter rising production and labour costs, and build more resilient supply chains.
During January–September ****, apparel imports—the dominant product category—rose by *.** per cent to $**.*** billion, compared with $**.*** billion in the corresponding period of ****. In contrast, non-apparel imports fell by *.** per cent to $**.*** billion, as slower housing activity, cautious consumer spending, and order rationalisation by retailers softened demand for home textiles, industrial textiles, and made-ups.
Fashion
Calvin Klein opens new global flagship store in New York’s SoHo
Located at 530 Broadway in the heart of SoHo, the 3,000+ square foot selling space reaffirms Calvin Klein’s commitment to creating premium lifestyle destinations that marry the brand’s distinctive minimalism with authentic local energy. The store’s design was inspired by New York City’s signature loft apartments, creating a modern, warm environment that evokes the creative legacy of downtown New York and provides an ideal backdrop for the essential denim, underwear and apparel synonymous with the brand – while reinforcing Calvin Klein’s deep roots in the city.
Calvin Klein has opened its new global flagship at 530 Broadway in New York’s SoHo, marking a major brand homecoming and reinforcing its global lifestyle positioning.
The loft-inspired space highlights denim, underwear, apparel and accessories, alongside campaign-driven displays.
A limited-edition Calvin Klein Soho capsule debuts now, with Calvin Klein Collection pieces arriving from Spring 2026.
David Savman, Global Brand President, Calvin Klein said, “We are proud to return to one of the world’s most fashionable cities – and the birthplace of our iconic brand – with an elevated retail expression. This new global flagship, located just steps from our landmark Houston Street billboard, is a tribute to Calvin Klein’s New York heritage. It represents both the evolution of our retail experience and a tangible expression of the world of Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein embodies a distinctive, global way of living that meets culture, and this store is the latest step on our journey of taking our brand to the next level.”
“New York is central to the DNA of the Calvin Klein brand,” said Stefan Larsson, CEO, PVH Corp. “This homecoming is a key milestone as we build Calvin Klein into one of the most desirable lifestyle brands in the world. Step by step, we’re deepening brand relevance, driving consumer engagement and strengthening brand positioning across North America and globally.”
The store showcases Calvin Klein’s lifestyle offering through curated spaces framed against the latest marketing campaigns. Denim and underwear anchor the experience, complemented by men’s and women’s apparel and accessories to round out the world of Calvin Klein. Key styles from Calvin Klein Collection, the pinnacle expression of the brand, will be available during designated times beginning in Spring 2026. As part of the opening, the store will house a limited-edition capsule featuring tees, fleece sweatshirts, hats and totes emblazoned with custom Calvin Klein Soho branding in navy, cobalt, grey and white colorways.
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)
-
Politics6 days agoThailand launches air strikes against Cambodian military: army
-
Tech1 week agoWIRED Roundup: DOGE Isn’t Dead, Facebook Dating Is Real, and Amazon’s AI Ambitions
-
Politics6 days agoZelenskiy says Ukraine’s peace talks with US constructive but not easy
-
Fashion6 days agoGermany’s LuxExperience appoints Francis Belin as new CEO of Mytheresa
-
Business1 week agoNetflix to buy Warner Bros. film and streaming assets in $72 billion deal
-
Politics1 week ago17 found dead in migrant vessel off Crete: coastguard
-
Tech1 week agoMIT researchers “speak objects into existence” using AI and robotics
-
Politics3 days agoTrump launches gold card programme for expedited visas with a $1m price tag
