UK supermarkets giant Sainsbury’s has announced that former John Lewis MD Paula Nickolds is to join the business in June as General Merchandise and Clothing Commercial Director and become a member of its operating board.

In a further sign of how important ethical, sustainable, and governance-linked (ESG) issues are these days, lifestyle retailer Joules has announced a renewal of its funding deal with a strong ESG element included.

​Next continued to show just how strong it has been in recent periods on Thursday as the retailer increased its guidance due to sales dipping only slightly in the latest quarter.

Gym+Coffee is flexing for expansion and improved visibility. The Irish athleisure brand has hired the Mongoose marketing agency “to raise awareness of the brand and build on its global community in Europe”.

Percival Menswear, the London-based contemporary fashion brand, has secured a £3 million investment. The funds will be used to double its stock, introduce new categories and enhance customer service.

​Superdry’s year-end trading statement has shown that revenue started to recover in Q4 and its “full-price discipline” drove a “significant” improvement in the quarter’s trading gross margin.

E-tail giant Zalando swung to a profit in Q1 and is expecting general merchandise value growth of up to 36% this financial year after a stellar start to 2021 in which GMV grew as much as 55.6% to €3.2 billion.

Cult streetwear brand Supreme took to instagram on Wednesday to announce the opening of its first flagship store in Milan, Italy slated to officially open to the public on May 6. 

The Montreal-based owner of brands including Gildan and American Apparel announced Q1 earnings of $98.5 million on Wednesday, as solid progress in activewear drove an uptick in the company’s sales.

Vetements has increased its number of trademark applications for using ‘VTMNTS’. The information, released by The Fashion Law, reignited debates on the evolution of the ‘street couture’ brand, which is seeking a renewal.

The digitally native indie fashion retailer has been purchased from Go Global Retail by Tustin, California-based e-commerce solution provider Nogin for an undisclosed sum.

Sporting goods maker Adidas has launched the sale of its Reebok brand in an auction which risks being affected by a political row over possible forced labour in China's western Xinjiang region, three sources said.

Montreal-based retailer Ssense unveiled on Wednesday the launch of Ssense Kids, once again adding to its recently expanded product offering.

Menswear retailer Moss Bros has begun its new monthly subscription-based clothing rental service and hopes the ‘Moss Box’ venture, the first such menswear scheme in the UK, can become the 'new Netflix' of clothing.

​Debenhams will exit the UK high street for good on May 15 as the administrators close its remaining stores. The closures will end more than 200 years in which the company has been a major name in UK retail.

Another prime London flagship retail location is up for grabs. This time it’s the former Next site on the corner of Oxford Street and New Bond Street.