In Review, October 2025: Headline highlights from Uniqlo, Hermès, Liberty and more...

Chloe Burney

31 October 2025

As October comes to a close, TheIndustry.fashion looks back on another eventful month in British retail, one that began with Kim Cattrall’s glitzy Ashish collaboration for Debenhams and closed with not only Glenn Martens’ high-impact H&M drop but also 16Arlington’s designer debut at M&S.

Financial results painted a mostly optimistic picture, with Adidas, Fenwick, Very, AllSaints, Hermès, Uniqlo, LVMH, and Freemans all reporting uplifts, suggesting renewed consumer confidence across categories from luxury to value. However, it wasn’t a universal win - Sosandar, Kering and Selfridges each faced tougher trading conditions.

This month also marked TheIndustry.fashion's inaugural Retail Reset summit, which brought together some of the UK’s most forward-thinking fashion leaders for a powerful day of networking, insight and strategic planning.

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

New openings

How Champion is redefining retail with its new Manchester concept store

Champion, the century-old athleticwear brand that invented the hoodie, is reimagining how consumers experience sports retail. The brand unveiled a new stripped-back concept store at Manchester Arndale. Designed as part retail hub and part cultural space, it aims to foster community through creative workshops, local collaborations and workout sessions.

Asda headed to Hull for second standalone George concept store

Following the successful launch of its first standalone George concept store at Crown Point Retail Park in Leeds in May, Asda opened a second at Anlaby Retail Park in Hull on 31 October. The new Hull store forms part of Asda’s broader ambition to open a further 10 George stores across the UK next year.

Uniqlo opened first West Midlands store on back of record growth

Uniqlo marked another milestone in its rapid UK expansion with the opening of its first West Midlands store in Birmingham’s Bullring today. The launch follows a string of record-breaking financial results for its parent company Fast Retailing, which last week reported its fourth consecutive year of record earnings.

Gap's back: The retailer returned to Covent Garden as part of UK retail revival

Gap is making a confident return to the UK high street after announcing three new standalone London stores as part of a wider push to reinvigorate the brand globally. The American retailer, synonymous with relaxed denim and laidback style, is bringing standalone stores back to the UK with new stores in Covent Garden, White City and Wembley.

AllSaints opened store in Bristol and readies new openings in London

AllSaints opened a 1,719 sq ft store on the lower floor at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway on the outskirts of Bristol, where it also has a concession in the John Lewis anchor store. Another new store will follow for the contemporary fashion brand at Battersea Power Station in London on 5 November, followed by a third in Stratford on 12 November, replacing the previous location that closed last year.

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters opened a second Manchester flagship as it continues European expansion

Urban Outfitters opened its second flagship in Manchester, located at the Trafford Centre, further strengthening its UK presence as part of its ongoing European expansion. Spanning more than 6,000 sq ft across multiple trading floors, the new store features a curated selection of the US-based brand’s in-house labels.

Jigsaw

In Pictures: Jigsaw unveiled refurbished Kensington High Street flagship

Jigsaw reopened its refurbished store at 65 Kensington High Street in London. Spanning 2,300 sq ft, the space “marks a striking evolution of the brand’s heritage”, using upcycled materials such as repurposed elm wood flooring from Jigsaw’s former head office in Kew.

Mulberry bet on Gunwharf Quays pop-up to boost its comeback

Mulberry headed to Britain's south coast with a pop-up at Gunwharf Quays, opened 16 October. The temporary store showcases a curated selection of the brand’s signature leather goods, from the Bayswater and Alexa handbags to smaller accessories ahead of the festive season.

Big name appointments

Grace Wales Bonner named Hermès Creative Director of Menswear

Grace Wales Bonner has earned one of the most coveted roles in luxury fashion. The British designer, celebrated for her eponymous indie menswear label, was named Hermès' new Creative Director of Menswear. She will present her first collection for the French house in January 2027, taking over from Véronique Nichanian, who stepped down after 37 years at the helm.

Matalan appointed former H&M MD as CEO following leadership reshuffle

Matalan appointed Henrik Nordvall, the former Managing Director of H&M for the UK and Ireland, as its new CEO. He will join the business in February 2026.

Nordvall brings 17 years of experience from H&M, where he held multiple roles across several countries. Most recently, he led the UK and Ireland division - H&M’s third-largest market - overseeing revenues of $1.5 billion.

Maria Grazia Chiuri returned to Fendi as Chief Creative Officer

Maria Grazia Chiuri officially returned to Fendi as Chief Creative Officer, nearly three decades after beginning her career at the Roman maison. She will present her first Autumn/Winter 2026 collection during Milan Fashion Week next February.

Chiuri’s appointment comes six months after her departure from Dior, where she served as Womenswear Creative Director and became the first woman to lead the brand’s design team.

Marks & Spencer tapped COS director to lead fashion, home and beauty retail

Marks & Spencer announced the appointment of Paula Bricks as its new Fashion, Home & Beauty Retail Director, effective from November. Bricks joins from H&M Group-owned fashion brand COS, where she has spent almost 19 years, most recently as Store Experience Director.

Kim Jones revealed as design head for Bosideng’s new luxury sub-brand

British designer Kim Jones, who exited his role as Artistic Director of Dior after seven years in January 2025, has taken up the position of Creative Director for Areal, a new luxury sub-brand from Chinese down outerwear giant, Bosideng.

Six Stories appointed Commercial Director to fuel next phase of growth

Altrincham-founded bridal and occasionwear brand Six Stories strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Richard Davies as Commercial Director, as it eyes further expansion in the UK and internationally. Davies joins following a seven-year stint on the board at Absolute Collagen, where he was most recently the Trading Director.

Vestiaire Collective

Vestiaire Collective promoted CFO Bernard Osta to CEO role

Luxury fashion resale platform Vestiaire Collective promoted Bernard Osta to the role of CEO, succeeding Maximilian Bittner, who led the company for the past seven years. Osta has been part of the Vestiaire Collective journey since May 2021, initially holding the position of Chief Strategy Officer up to August 2023.

Zalando appointed new CFO to support next phase of European growth

Zalando appointed Anna Dimitrova as Chief Financial Officer and member of its Management Board, effective 1 January 2026. The Berlin-based fashion and lifestyle e-commerce platform said Dimitrova brings "deep financial expertise, a strong strategic mindset and proven leadership".

East London talent Aaron Esh joined AllSaints as Chief Creative Officer

AllSaints appointed Aaron Esh as its new Chief Creative Officer, in a move that felt almost inevitable given the designer’s East London edge. A Central Saint Martins graduate, Esh launched his eponymous label in 2022, blending Savile Row precision with the attitude of East London night scenes. His slouchy knits, draped dresses and leather jackets feel like they were made for AllSaints’ brooding stores.

Giorgio Armani

Giorgio Armani appointed long-time exec as new CEO

Giuseppe Marsocci was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Giorgio Armani Group, effective immediately. Marsocci, who has over 35 years experience in the fashion and luxury sector, 23 of which have been within the Armani Group in various roles “of increasing responsibility”, succeeds legendary founder Giorgio Armani, who passed away in September at the age of 91.

Monica Vinader handed over CEO reigns to Holt Renfrew Boss

British luxury jewellery brand Monica Vinader appointed Sebastian Picardo as its new Chief Executive Officer, signalling the start of a new phase for the once founder-helmed jewellery brand. Picardo brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across some of the world’s most influential luxury and fashion names.

TOMS tapped former Crocs digital commerce lead as new CEO

Los Angeles-based footwear brand TOMS appointed Jessica Alsing as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective from 8 October. Alsing brings “deep expertise” across footwear, digital marketing and global brand building, having previously spent almost a decade at Crocs (up to September 2021), where she served as Vice President of International Digital Commerce.

Lakeside Shopping Centre appointed Fenwick exec as new Centre Director

Lakeside Shopping Centre appointed retail veteran Nancy Foster as its new Centre Director, as the destination embarks on a new phase of investment and transformation. Foster brings over 15 years of senior leadership experience across major retail operations.

Reebok

Reebok returned to London with new HQ and European CEO

Reebok officially opened its new European headquarters in London and appointed former Adidas executive Marc Le Roux as CEO of Reebok Europe, signalling a new chapter in the brand’s push to reinvigorate itself in the region.

Dunhill appointed new CEO to lead brand into ‘next chapter’

British luxury menswear brand Dunhill has appointed Matthew Ives as Chief Executive Officer, effective as of 13 October 2025. He reports to Philippe Fortunato, Chief Executive Officer of Richemont’s Fashion and Accessories Maisons.