In Review, August 2025: Headline highlights from ZARA, Mango, SKIMS and more...

Chloe Burney

29 August 2025

August has been a busy month for UK retail, marked by both bold comebacks and cost-cutting measures. Topshop stole headlines with its first runway show since 2018, staging a high-profile open-air event at Trafalgar Square to unveil its AW25 collection.

The show coincided with the relaunch of its standalone website and confirmation of a new retail presence at Liberty London, where a curated collection and atrium installation cement its return to the physical stage.

Elsewhere, Primark celebrated 50 years in Scotland with a playful rebrand, renaming stores “Preemark” to reflect local pronunciation, while also investing millions in the region. Meanwhile, economic pressures continued to reshape the high street: JD Sports reported a 6.1% drop in UK sales but reassured investors with a £100 million share buyback, and River Island confirmed the closure of 33 stores after posting a £32 million loss.

As August comes to a close, and the industry braces for fashion month, TheIndustry.fashion reflects on another headline-grabbing month in British retail and beyond, from openings to big-name appointments.

New openings

Mango accelerated UK expansion of Mango Teen targeting 'gap in the market'

Mango fast-tracked the expansion of its teen-focused fashion line in the UK, citing strong demand for stylish, affordable youthwear and the growing power of the "teen pound".

The Spanish fashion giant opened its third standalone Mango Teen store in the UK on 1 August at Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow. The launch marked both the brand’s first Teen store in Scotland and its first outside London.

In Pictures: ZARA unveiled new 'high-tech' store concept in Manchester

ZARA, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, opened the doors to its new, relocated 32,291 sq ft flagship store at Manchester’s Trafford Centre.

It introduced the brand’s latest high-tech store concept, showcasing an extensive range of fashion across womenswear, menswear and kidswear, as well as new dedicated spaces for fragrances and special collections such as ZARA Origins and ZARA Athleticz.

Inditex upped the ante in UK retail with Stradivarius’ North East debut

Spanish fashion powerhouse Inditex continued to ramp up its UK footprint with a fresh wave of store openings, most recently marked by Stradivarius’s first-ever North East location at Metrocentre. The 10,000 sq ft flagship joined a growing roster of Inditex brands, enhancing the centre’s fashion offering, including familiar names like ZARA.

Bershka debuted futuristic AR mirrors in immersive new Trafford Centre flagship

Bershka unveiled a new 1,200 sq. metre flagship at Manchester’s Trafford Centre, introducing one of its most immersive and technologically forward retail concepts to date.

At the heart of the launch was the debut of AR Mirrors - an augmented reality experience, designed to reimagine the try-on process for a digitally native audience.

JD continued UK retail investment as it doubled size of Brent Cross store

JD Sports unveiled its newly upsized store at Brent Cross Shopping Centre in North London, continuing its investment in brick-and-mortar retail across the UK. The new "bigger, better" 12,066 sq ft retail space on the upper level is almost double the size of its previous store at the centre, and now features a storefront that is twice the size at 30 meters.

Rixo brought 'timeless femininity' to new retail locations in Notting Hill and Liberty

Vintage-inspired womenswear brand Rixo opened a new flagship store at 199 Westbourne Grove in London’s Notting Hill, as well as a dedicated concession space within Liberty London at 210-220 Regent Street.

Big name appointments

Puma appointed former Adidas exec as Chief Operating Officer

Puma appointed Andreas Hubert as its new Chief Operating Officer, effective 1 September 2025, as the company enters its next phase of growth. Hubert joins Puma from fellow sportswear brand Adidas, where he began his career in 2005 as Head of Logistics Business Development and rose through the ranks to become Chief Information Officer in February 2021.

Marks & Spencer appoints former Asda exec as Chief People Officer

Marks & Spencer was named Hayley Tatum MBE as its new Chief People Officer, replacing Sarah Findlater, who departs the British retailer after 27 years at the business. Tatum joined M&S from Asda, having served as Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer for over four and a half years. She joined the grocery chain as Chief People Officer in 2011.

SKIMS appointed President of Europe as it prepares first UK standalone store

SKIMS accelerated its global expansion with the appointment of Robin Gendron as President of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Gendron, formerly President of EMEA at Michael Kors, brings 15 years of experience across wholesale, retail, merchandising and operations.

The hire coincides with the brand’s high-profile UK launch, including its first standalone store on London’s Regent Street, which will occupy a 12,000 sq ft unit previously home to Ted Baker. Scheduled to open in summer 2026, the Regent Street store marks a pivotal step for the $4 billion (£2.95 billion) brand.

Former Whistles and Ted Baker exec named MD of Tutti

Helen Williamson, the former Managing Director of Whistles, was named fractional Managing Director of Jewellery brand Tutti. With more than three decades of fashion industry experience and senior leadership roles at Hobbs, Ted Baker and Whistles, Williamson brings heavyweight retail expertise to the independent brand at a key moment in its journey.

George at Asda bolstered fashion team with ex-Sainsbury’s womenswear buyer

George at Asda appointed Victoria Stead as its new Senior Director of Womenswear Buying, Quality and Design, as the supermarket fashion label doubles down on its ambitions to become a major player in UK clothing retail.

Stead quietly joined the business in June, following more than a decade at Sainsbury’s. Most recently, she headed up womenswear buying for the grocer’s Tu Clothing division, and previously held senior roles across menswear and childrenswear. Her career began at NEXT, where she spent 13 years honing her skills across both menswear and womenswear buying.

John Lewis strengthened leadership team with new Boss of digital and omnichannel

John Lewis appointed Dom McBrien as its new Chief Digital & Omnichannel Officer, effective as of 1 October, strengthening its leadership team as it presses on with its transformation strategy. McBrien will report to John Lewis Managing Director, Peter Ruis, and will sit on the John Lewis management board.

Primark appointed ex-New Look exec as Head of Ethical Trade for Europe

Primark appointed Sue Fairley as its new Head of Ethical Trade for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA), strengthening its leadership team as the value retailer sharpens its focus on responsible sourcing and sustainability. Fairley joined from New Look, where she spent more than nine years in senior roles spanning sustainability, sourcing and quality.