Here are some of this week’s news and features highlights handpicked by TheIndustry.fashion team.
John Lewis aims for Selfridges-style service but shouldn’t it just aim to be John Lewis?
New-ish John Lewis executive director Peter Ruis has revealed that one of his key priorities is to get more staff on the shop floor. Ruis is a great retailer and that he’s focused on this simple, but often overlooked factor, is a testament to his sound instincts.
He’s cited Selfridges as a good model to follow in this regard, whereby much of the shop floor is staffed with experts from the concessions who hire space there. The beauty hall at Selfridges (and indeed at John Lewis) is a perfect example of what he means. Abundant expert staff and an elevated experience.
Our columnist Marcus Jaye takes a look at the issue in his latest offering for us and asks how realistic it is for Ruis to get more staff on the shop floor (given that he’s asking brands to provide them) and whether or not Selfridges is the right model to follow. Before its recent slump John Lewis was known for having the best service (and the most knowledgeable and friendly staff) on the high street, so maybe in this case his model of good practice should actually be… John Lewis!
Lauretta Roberts, Co-founder, CEO and Editor-in-Chief.
The Interview: Gymshark Founder Ben Francis on driving growth as it opens second UK store
Gymshark’s Founder and CEO, Ben Francis, is a very focused individual, with a clear strategy, who has built the right team around him to make Gymshark a real force to be reckoned with, as is revealed in our interview with him which took place at the brand’s new Westfield Stratford City store yesterday – ahead of its opening tomorrow, 13 July.
Laser-focused on “owning” gymwear, Francis sees the success of the new store – which is very product-focused with easy-to-shop dedicated sections – as key before a real retail roll-out can get under way. It’s all about location, and with the brand’s HQ with 800 staff in Solihull, it would be a fair bet that a store in its Midlands heartland is not far off.
International expansion is also important, particularly the US, with New York another destination pencilled for a Gymshark store. Its London’s flagship, which opened at 165 Regent Street in October 2022, has been “overwhelmingly successful” according to Francis, so it’s likely a New York flagship will follow in the same vein. However, it’s a considered approach – there is no rush. It has to be right. The brand’s latest ‘We Do Gym’ campaign reaffirms Gymshark’s market position, and the new Westfield Stratford store is likely to further prove Gymshark can also very much ‘do’ retail.
Tom Bottomley, Contributing Editor.
Searches for England shirts soar 2,470% ahead of Euro 2024 final
Is football coming home? A question that can only be answered on Sunday evening when England faces Spain in the Euros 2024 final. However, what is certain is that Brits are definitely in the spirit, especially after this week’s semi-final success. In fact, demand for England football shirts has soared in the UK since the team secured a place in the Euro 2024 final on Wednesday.
It comes as new findings from BoohooMAN revealed that online searches for England football shirts increased by 2,470% following England’s semi-final win. Meanwhile, searches for the wider England kit skyrocketed by 1,314%, with further analysis showing online searches for vintage football shirts are also at an all-time high in the UK. So, it’s definitely been a win for all the sportswear retailers capitalising on England’s recent success – let’s just hope the same can be said for the squad on Sunday too!
Sophie Smith, News Editor & Senior Writer.
Burberry potentially to axe hundreds of staff to cut costs
I’m clutching on to the straws left of Burberry. With the likes of Victoria Beckham, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen all hopping on the Eurostar to host their catwalks overseas, Burberry is a lone wolf. Yes, we have the best of up-and-coming designers (biased opinions from a Londoner, of course), but Burberry is one of the last men standing when it comes to British Houses.
The house has lost over a third of its stock market value since the beginning of 2024. Its share price fell by 57% over the past year, falling to its lowest value in 15 years. Burberry is now worth £3.19 billion.
So, as its sales continually slip and share prices drop, leaving it exposed for a potential takeover, we anxiously await to see if the heritage brand can turn it around. This week, in an effort to do so, it was revealed that Burberry is set to axe jobs as part of a cost-cutting scheme as it struggles to deliver a turnaround and boost falling profits.
Chloé Burney, Senior News & Features Writer.
