​UK inflation — including clothing prices — slowed again in April, although the rate remains high and prices continue to rise, which means consumers are thinking long and hard about discretionary purchases. 

M&S’s annual results offered more evidence of the strength of its turnaround with the retail giant reporting higher sales and headline profits, although operating profits were hit by tough comparisons and higher costs. 

One of the UK retail’s highest-profile execs — Richard Price, MD of Clothing and Home at M&S — is to join Fabacus, the data management and bureau service for the licensing industry, as a member of its Advisory Board.

Klarna’s UK boss Alex Marsh is stepping down from the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) financier for personal reasons. A replacement has yet to be announced.

​Mallet London has been quietly reimagining its shoe collection in recent months with a focus on widening its appeal via the creation of new styles. And with this in mind it has unveiled a new shoe, the Neptune Sneaker.

Menswear brand Lestrange is opening a store in the popular Coal Drops Yard retail area of King’s Cross, London. The “impact-conscious” brand, which is “rooted in the principles of biophilic design”.

Joe Fresh has teamed up with Loblaw's in-house homeware brand Life at Home to launch their first co-branded collection with lifestyle maven, Jillian Harris.

After recently buying Zanotta, another premium Italian furniture and design brand, Cassina has opened on North Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood a 1,200 square-metre store on two levels, its largest worldwide.

Free Market Los Angeles opened its first space with the opening of a pop-up art gallery. Several brands including M5, Museum Peace and Quiet, and concept store Alchemy Works should be part of the project. 

Atelier Jolie aims to empower customer creativity by utilising surplus garments, promoting a fashion movement rooted in recycling, and actively involving refugees.

UK consumer confidence continues to move higher. From the record lows of late 2022, a steady recovery has gathered pace. 

​Greenwashing isn’t only a problem simply because the authorities are focusing on it these days. It’s an issue for consumers too. They don’t like it and will shun brands caught embellishing their green credentials.

​The result might not have been a good one for the UK’s entrant at last weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest, but Liverpool, which staged the event, enjoy record 2023 footfall and sales at its key shopping mall.

April’s Easter holiday uplift in England was also seen north of the border last month as Scottish sales for the 2-29 April period rose 9%.

Online fashion giant Yoox Net-A-Porter (YNAP) has named Celine Lefebvre as its General Manager for the Middle East, effective 23 May.

​Burberry’s preliminary results for the year to 1 April saw more growth with its CEO calling it “a strong performance, supported by good progress in core leather goods and outerwear". And revenue accelerated in Q4.