In Review, December 2025: Headline highlights from Ganni, Puma, M&S and more...

Chloe Burney

31 December 2025

As December comes to a close, TheIndustry.fashion looks back on a month that captured both the pressures and possibilities shaping British retail as the industry entered its most critical trading period.

The return of Matches dominated conversation across the sector, with the luxury retailer’s acquisition by Mile founders Joe Wilkinson and Mario Maher marking one of the most unexpected retail revivals in recent memory.

December also delivered a landmark moment as Prada Group completed its acquisition of Versace, bringing the storied Italian house back under Italian ownership. The deal is set to reshape the European luxury landscape.

TheIndustry.fashion reflects on another headline-grabbing month in British retail and beyond, from openings to big-name appointments.

New openings

In Pictures: JW Anderson’s new store on London’s Pimlico Road

JW Anderson opened a new store at 105-107 Pimlico Road in London on Saturday 13 December, with the brand’s growing home and garden collections sitting at the heart of the store – along with a selection of ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories.

Pimlico Road is renowned for its antique stores, design boutiques and homeware specialists, so the location is fitting for JW Anderson’s new product focus. There is also an emphasis on art.

White Stuff headed to Birmingham as UK retail expansion continues

British lifestyle brand White Stuff opened a new 1,302 sq ft store at Birmingham Grand Central Station as it continues its “ambitious” store expansion across the UK, having already opened eight new stores this year.

The new Birmingham location marks the brand's 119th UK store, following recent openings in Dalton Park, Broughton Park, Eastbourne, Lyme Regis, Canterbury and Watford, with more planned to follow in 2026 in city centres, shopping malls and retail parks across the UK.

Puma unveiled largest European flagship on London’s Oxford Street

Puma unveiled a new 24,000 sq ft flagship store at 376-384 Oxford Street in London. The new store is brings the best of the brand’s footwear and apparel offer and “immersive storytelling” to the heart of the West End, featuring ‘Nitro’ running shoes, ‘King’, ‘Future’ and ‘Ultra’ football boots and a whole range of lifestyle products.

ME+EM heads to Harrogate for latest boutique

Luxury British womenswear brand ME+EM opened a 1,300 sq ft boutique at 4 Prospect Crescent in Harrogate, its first in the Yorkshire region as it continues to expand its retail footprint.

Harrogate is known for its classical Victorian architecture, and the new store is housed in a Grade II–listed former bank which was built between 1873 and 1880. There are even two original vaults tucked away in the basement, which are now part of ME+EM’s stockroom.

Oliver Bonas expanded UK store presence with five new openings in December

Fashion, homeware, gifts and beauty retailer Oliver Bonas embarked on a “wave of store openings” across the UK, with five new stores opened in December and 20 new store launches planned for 2026, including Ireland.

Long-awaited Frasers store opens in Peterborough in major retail boost for city centre

Frasers landed at Queensgate Shopping Centre in Peterborough, taking over the space formerly occupied by John Lewis, nearly two years after its opening was first announced.

The launch marked the return of department store retail to Queensgate and the city centre, and signals a significant investment in the shopping destination.

Big name appointments

Morleys

Morleys appointed former Gieves & Hawkes MD as new CEO

Department store chain Morleys appointed Ray Clacher as Chief Executive Officer, effective 5 January 2026, with current CEO Allan Winstanley stepping down at the end of December after one year in the role. Most recently, Clacher served as Chief Commercial Officer at BrandAlley.

M&S named ex-New Look exec as Stores Director of Innovation amid £300m store revamp

Marks & Spencer strengthened its retail leadership team with the appointment of Elaine Cartwright as its Stores Director of Innovation and Implementation. Cartwright joined M&S after more than 12 years at New Look, where she held a range of senior positions.

Ganni bolsters leadership team with three new appointments

Danish fashion brand Ganni has made three new senior appointments to help lead its next phase of global growth.

Marcelo Noschese joins as President, Americas, Marie Valot has been appointed as Communication and PR Executive Director, and Guillaume Dacquet has been hired as Marketing & Image Executive Director.

Burberry bolstered leadership team with two promotions

Burberry appointed Matteo Calonaci as Chief Operating & Supply Chain Officer, and Johnattan Leon as Chief Customer Officer, both reporting directly to Burberry CEO Joshua Schulman.

Gant welcomed new CEO to lead 'next phase of development'

Gant appointed Fredrik Malm as its new CEO, succeeding Patrik Söderström, who departed after six years at the helm. Malm first joined Gant in September 2024 as EVP of Commercial, Brand & Product, with this new appointment reflecting a promotion.

Revolve-owned FWRD tapped Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as Fashion Director

FWRD is staking its claim on the future of luxury retail and doing so with some star power. The LA-based luxury platform, owned by Revolve Group, named Rosie Huntington-Whiteley as its new Fashion Director.

The appointment arrives amid a period of strong momentum for FWRD. Despite a volatile luxury landscape, the retailer reported continued top-line growth and a striking 37% year-on-year increase in gross profit for Q3 2025.

New Look appoints ex-Bonmarché and Selfridges exec as new Retail Director

New Look has appointed retail veteran Mark Matthews as its new Retail Director, tapping him to spearhead the next phase of its omnichannel store transformation. The move comes as the fashion retailer focuses on modernising its store estate across the UK.

Matthews brings nearly 30 years of operational and customer-experience expertise, joining from Co-op, where he spent six years as Director of Format and Innovation, leading future-store concepts and operational improvements.

Turnbull & Asser appointed Roberto Menichetti, the Designer responsible for '90s Burberry

Turnbull & Asser, the 140-year-old British shirtmaker synonymous with royal patronage, appointed Italian designer Roberto Menichetti as its new Creative Director - a milestone moment for the heritage house as it pushes into a new chapter of modern menswear.

Best known for his transformative stints at Burberry, Jil Sander and Céline, Menichetti will oversee all creative direction across shirting, tailoring, outerwear and accessories.