In Numbers: the Week in Fashion in Figures
This week got off to a depressing start for fashion with news of redundancies at both Marks & Spencer and Ted Baker with the latter half of the week dominated by the news that face masks were to be made mandatory in stores from today.
While footfall has picked up on the high street and overall retail sales have bounced back, fashion sales remain depressed. We closed the week out with news that French Connection has secured sufficient cash to see it through the next two years, hopefully avoiding another retail casualty.
Here are the stats that matter from another eventful week for UK fashion.
950
The number of redundancies Marks & Spencer is making across store management and as its HQ as part of its transformation programme.
40
The number of retailers, along with 50 MPs and Peers, who wrote to Home Secretary Priti Patel this week to call for Fit to Trade licenses for UK garment manufacturers.
MPs and retailers write to Home Secretary calling for greater protection for garment workers
75
The number of UK stores operated by Jigsaw which this week called in advisers to investigate its future options, including a potential sale.
10,500
The number of new jobs being created by delivery giant Hermes as e-commerce continues to boom post-lockdown.
55%
The slump in revenue at Ted Baker in the past 11 weeks; the retailer has nontheless said its trading has been resilient.
72%
Percentage drop in sales in the past 13 weeks at value retailer Matalan, which demonstrates the severity of the COVID impact on trading.
Matalan impacted by “Severity of Covid-19” as revenue drops by 72%
510%
The increase in searches for "face masks" since May, according to fashion search engine Lyst.
Face masks: from safety to style, the new must-have accessory
2002
The year Jan Marchant joined Tesco. She was this week promoted to CEO of its clothing arm, F&F.
32
The number of pieces in the new Richard James London sportswear line, which is stocked at a new standalone store in Soho.
Richard James opens first standalone store for new sports line in Soho
2015
The year former John Lewis MD Andy Street, now West Midlands Mayor, opened its Birmingham store. Current boss Dame Sharon White intends to close it, much to his dismay.
John Lewis chair set for battle with ex-MD over fate of Birmingham store
200
The number of new jobs set to be created at PrettyLittleThing's expanded HQ in Manchester, for which it is seeking planning permission.
PrettyLittleThing submits planning application to expand its Manchester HQ
14%
The amount by which retail sales jumped in May, but it remains bad news for fashion which is still under pressure.
Retail sales jump nearly 14% but clothing still under pressure
December 2020
The date the new Jack Wills childrenswear line is set to launch. It is being created under license by BMG.
£15m
The amount of funding French Connection has received from retail investment and turnaround experts Hilco.
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